Frequently Asked Questions

All of our English-speaking guides are born or based in Tokyo, and tours are conducted entirely in English. Japanese is also available on request. Our team size grows over time as we welcome new local guides.

Each tour includes the guide and all listed activities. The Shinjuku Food & Drink Night Tour includes all food and drinks — nothing extra to pay during the tour. For the Meiji Shrine Morning Walk & Brunch and the Tsukiji Market Street Food Tour, food and drink costs are paid by guests directly to each venue (typically ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person, depending on appetite). Walking tours do not include food.

Meeting points vary by tour. Most are at or near a major Tokyo train station — for example, Shinjuku Station for the Shinjuku tours, and Harajuku Station for Meiji Shrine. Some tours meet at a specific landmark instead, such as the entrance to Tsukiji Outer Market. After you book, we send a detailed meeting-point guide with a Google Maps pin and step-by-step directions.

Yes, all of our tours welcome children, including the Shinjuku Food & Drink Night Tour. Please note that the Shinjuku Food & Drink Night Tour passes through the edge of Kabukicho's red-light district as part of the route — families with younger children should be aware of this in advance. The Tsukiji Market Food Tour, Meiji Shrine Morning Walk, and Shinjuku Highlights Walking Tour are all very family-friendly. Private custom tours can be designed specifically around children's interests and pace.

Yes. Please tell us about any dietary restrictions or allergies when booking, and we will adjust the venues and dishes accordingly. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and pescatarian guests are all welcome. The Shinjuku Food & Drink Night Tour is the most flexible.

Book directly on our website japanlocalexperience.com — your reservation goes straight to our team. We confirm within 24 hours and send a meeting point pin by email.

Yes! Our Private Custom Tokyo Tour is fully bespoke — you tell us your interests (food, culture, hidden bars, anime, sake, etc.) and we design a tour around them. The standard duration is 5 hours, but it can be shortened or extended to fit your schedule. Pricing is on request and depends on length, group size, and inclusions. Great for families, couples, or business visitors.

Absolutely — solo travelers are some of our favorite guests, and roughly a third of our bookings are parties of one. Our small groups (max 6–10) make it easy to meet other travelers, and we never cancel a departure just because you're the only booking. If you'd rather have a guide all to yourself, the Private Custom Tour is also an option.

Tours run rain or shine — Shinjuku's covered arcades, izakaya interiors, and market stalls keep things enjoyable in light rain, and we adjust the route where needed. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket on wet days. In the rare case of severe weather (such as a typhoon), we'll contact you in advance to rebook or refund.

Two to four weeks ahead is ideal. Our groups are capped at 6–10 people, so popular dates — especially cherry blossom season (late March–April), autumn (October–November), and weekends — often sell out around a month out. Last-minute spots do open up, so it's always worth checking the calendar.

No — tipping isn't part of Japanese culture, and that includes our tours. Your guide will never expect a tip, and politely declining one is normal here (a useful thing to know for restaurants too!). If you enjoyed your tour, a review on Google or your booking platform genuinely helps us more than any tip could.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour — full refund, no questions asked. Within 24 hours, refunds aren't available, but if something comes up (illness, flight delay, etc.) message us and we'll try to move you to another date if there's space. In the rare case of severe weather like a typhoon, you'll get a full refund or a reschedule — your choice.