The 9 Best Tokyo Private Tours 2025: English-Speaking Guides, Customizable Itineraries & Free Cancellation
Tokyo is the cultural and economic center of Japan. It's a major metropolis where 14 million people live, with countless more visitors coming from all over Japan and around the world.
If you want to explore Tokyo, which has countless attractions and diverse cultures that could never be fully described, we recommend using Tokyo Private Tours where dedicated guides can show you around the city.
With Tokyo Private Tours, you can have personalized itineraries arranged according to your interests and schedule. Since you'll have access to dedicated guides and private cars, even those with limited time can efficiently see Tokyo's most attractive points in a single day.
This article explains the Tokyo Private Tours available in Tokyo, divided into tours with cars and walking tours. In the latter half of the article, we'll also introduce private tours that let you enjoy popular areas near Tokyo.
If you want to enjoy Tokyo efficiently or sightseee stress-free and comfortably, please use this article as a reference when choosing your tour.
Types of Tokyo Private Tours Available
There are several types of Tokyo Private Tours you can participate in:
- Complete private tours using hire cars
- Private walking tours where guides show you spots of interest from countless tourist destinations
- Private food tours enjoyed in specific locations
If you want to visit multiple spots scattered throughout Tokyo or enjoy stress-free Tokyo sightseeing without using public transportation, use complete Tokyo Private Tours with hire cars.
These tours are especially recommended for families with young children and those visiting Tokyo during harsh weather seasons like midsummer or midwinter.
If you want to walk and tour specific areas of interest in Tokyo with a guide, try participating in private walking tours. Depending on the tour, it's possible to visit multiple areas in one day using trains and other transportation.
Among Tokyo Private Tours, there are also food tours that feature gourmet experiences and food culture. Dedicated guides explain Japanese and Tokyo food culture while guiding you to specific areas and spots where you can experience real food culture.
Comparison of Recommended Tokyo Private Tours Introduced in This Article
Complete private tours using hire cars
| 1-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour with a Private Car and Guide | PRIVATE CUSTOMISED CAR TOUR OF TOKYO | Tokyo Customizable Private Tour by Car English speaking chauffeur | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Explore Tokyo for a full day with a dedicated local guide and driver through Hire | Fully customized Tokyo sightseeing with a dedicated guide-driver in a Toyota vehicle | One-day Tokyo sightseeing in a private car with a guide-driver |
| Features | You can use pre-arranged destinations and itineraries designed for enjoyment, with options to add features or customize as desired. | Destinations and itineraries can be fully customized based on your interests, and you can choose from tour durations ranging from 4 to 8 hours. | The driver primarily provides commentary about each location from inside the vehicle, and destinations and itineraries can be customized. |
| Places to Visit | Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, Asakusa, Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Scramble Crossing etc. | Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Marunouchi etc. | Tsukiji Fish Market, Senso-ji Temple, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Skytree, Odaiba District etc. |
| Number of Reviews | 8 | 161 | 572 |
| Rating | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Booking Site | Official Site LIVE JAPAN |
Official website | Tripadvisor |
| Estimated Cost | ¥70,000~ (per adult) (August 2025) | ¥77,138~ (per adult) (August 2025) | ¥46,800 (per group) (August 2025) |
| Recommended For | People who want to comfortably explore Tokyo with a knowledgeable local guide and private vehicle | People who want personalized sightseeing tailored to their specific interests | People who want the freedom of a full-day tour using a private car |
Private walking tours that guide you through specific neighborhoods
| Private Tokyo Tour with a Local Guide: Tailored to Your Interests | Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide | PRIVATE TOKYO FOOD TOUR: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME THROUGH FOOD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Walk and explore interesting areas with a local guide from a local's perspective | Spend 6 hours exploring your desired spots with a nationally certified tour guide | Deeply explore Tokyo's food culture while sampling Japanese cuisine with a dedicated guide |
| Features | Guided tours to hidden gems and shops from a local's perspective. | Expert guidance from knowledgeable and skilled guides, with destinations selected from a list of 3-4 locations. | Sample 14 different types of Japanese cuisine, experiencing everything from traditional Japanese food to cutting-edge gourmet dishes. |
| Places to Visit | Shibuya, Kappabashi Street, Senso-ji Temple, Yanaka District, Ginza etc. | Asakusa, Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen, Tsukiji Fish Market, Meiji Shrine etc. | Nihonbashi, Ginza, Yurakucho, Tokyo Station, Akihabara etc. |
| Number of Reviews | 815 | 2635 | 29 |
| Rating | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| Booking Site | TripAdvisor | TripAdvisor | Official website |
| Estimated Cost | ¥15,438~ (per adult) (August 2025) | ¥22,000 (per adult) (August 2025) | ¥49,268 (per adult) (August 2025) |
| Recommended For | People who want a friendly guide and authentic local experiences | People who want to explore Tokyo on foot with a knowledgeable guide | People with a deep interest in Tokyo's cuisine and food culture |
For Efficiently Enjoying Tokyo to the Fullest, Tours with Knowledgeable Guides and Hire Cars are Recommended
If you want to efficiently enjoy Tokyo to its fullest without missing any of its charm, try using Magical Trip's 1-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour, where local guides who know the city inside and out can guide you.
In this tour, you'll spend 8 hours touring Tokyo's popular spots in a private car suited to your group size, together with a dedicated guide and driver. Destinations can be flexibly customized, and all entrance fees and lunch costs for each spot are all-inclusive in the tour.
Stress-Free Transportation with Private Cars
Tokyo is a more vast city than you might think. Since attractive spots are scattered throughout Tokyo, it's difficult to visit multiple spots using trains.
Furthermore, Tokyo's train system is famously very complex. If you're visiting Tokyo for the first time and have many spots you want to visit, we strongly recommend participating in tours that allow you to use private cars.
With a dedicated car, you can move freely around Tokyo stress-free. When I participated, the driver had extensive driving experience in Tokyo, skillfully avoided traffic jams, and cleverly stopped near destinations so we didn't need to walk unnecessarily at each spot.
The car was very comfortable, and during drives, the guide taught us about Tokyo's history and interesting knowledge, allowing us to enjoy lots of conversation like friends inside the car.
Perfect Itineraries Based on Your Wishes Require No Advance Preparation
After booking your tour, work with your guide to create the perfect itinerary based on your wishes.
Originally, this tour comes prepared with an original plan that lets you enjoy Tokyo's diverse attractions to the fullest in one day. There's no need to prepare in advance by researching the locations of each spot or travel times to create an itinerary.
Guides will also listen to your wishes in advance and flexibly adjust the itinerary. If there are places you've already visited or places you'd like to go, be sure to tell your guide.
When I participated with my friend's family, the guide frequently asked the children if they were having fun and what they wanted to do next, flexibly adjusting the itinerary even during the tour.
Also, in this tour, entrance fees, lunch costs, and drink costs for pre-planned spots are all included in the tour price. You don't need to worry about payments while sightseeing.
Since Guides Know Tokyo Inside and Out, You Can Enjoy Every Tourist Destination More Deeply Than Going Alone
The appeal of this tour is being guided by local guides who know Tokyo inside and out. At each spot, guides provide not only explanations of history and culture but also vivid descriptions that offer glimpses into the lives of the people who live there.
Also, at Asakusa and Tsukiji Market, they guided us to shops and spots in the crowded streets that we would have passed by on our own.
Since they know the attractions of each spot and Tokyo's routes well, they naturally guide you to see everything efficiently. Therefore, even visiting many spots in one day shouldn't feel rushed.
You can also get advice about dinner spots for the evening and spots you should visit during your future Tokyo stay. When using Tokyo Private Tours, be sure to choose tours where guides who know the city well from a local perspective can guide you.
- Meeting point: Hotel pickup or meet the guide and driver at the designated meeting point
- Tour areas: Asakusa, Shinjuku, Harajuku etc.
- Start time: 9:00
3 Selected 1-Day Private Tours Where You Can Enjoy Sightseeing and Dining Without Stress
PRIVATE CUSTOMISED CAR TOUR OF TOKYO
Source:Hello! Tokyo Tours
This tour is a completely customizable private tour from time to itinerary. A comfortable Toyota private car matched to the number of participants is provided, and you'll tour Tokyo with a dedicated guide and driver.
The appeal of these Tokyo Private Tours is that you can consult with an experienced guide and create a plan to deepen your interests in Tokyo's gourmet food, architecture, shopping, and more. For example, my friend and I had them guide us mainly to places where you can feel the downtown culture.
We toured mainly quiet old towns like Yanaka and spent very memorable time at restaurants in retro shopping streets. You can freely choose tour time from 4 to 8 hours too.
Even if you don't know where to go, they will propose abundant plans tailored to participants from families with young children to couples and groups of friends.
If you want to have an experience that deepens specific interests in Tokyo, please try using this private tour.
・Meeting point: Pick up at your hotel in Tokyo
・Tour area: Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, Marunouchi etc.
・Start time: Your desired time between 10:00~17:00
Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Source:Tripadvisor
This tour is one of the premium Tokyo Private Tours where you can tour Tokyo with a nationally licensed guide in a dedicated car with driver. You can select 3-4 destinations from a prepared destination list and create a 6-hour tour plan.
This private tour is recommended for those who want to have proper guidance from a guide with reliable knowledge and tour skills. When I recently participated with a large group of 8 people, a very spacious and clean car was prepared, and since it was a rainy day, they even prepared umbrellas for us.
The guide explained with deep knowledge about history and culture at every spot, and gave very specific advice about places we should go the next day.
Both the consideration and guidance were first-class, and I was able to enjoy sightseeing with peace of mind throughout the day. There's also a service that will drop you off at the airport for an additional fee.
If you want to experience high-quality guide and service, please choose this tour.
・Meeting point: Pick-up available at your listed hotel or preferred location
・Tour area: Harajuku, Ueno, Asakusa etc.
・Start time: Starts every 30 minutes between 8:00~13:00
Tokyo Customizable Private Tour by Car English speaking chauffeur
Source:Tripadvisor
This tour is a private tour where you spend a day touring Tokyo driven by an English-speaking guide/driver. You can use prepared plans for destinations and itinerary, and customization according to your interests is also possible.
In this tour, the guide mainly explains the history and culture of each spot inside the car. When my friend and I participated, the guide gave us lots of advice about shopping spots and how to enjoy each spot inside the car, which was very helpful when we walked and explored on our own.
Also, since we used the guide's recommended plan, we were able to cover Tokyo's major tourist spots including not only standard spots like Harajuku and Ginza, but also Odaiba.
The schedule was a bit tight, but travel by dedicated car was smooth, and we were able to fully enjoy the charm of each spot. If you want to secure a dedicated car for the day and want to explore casually on your own, please try using this tour.
・Meeting point: Pick-up available at listed hotels
・Tour area: Tsukiji, Asakusa, Chiyoda etc.
・Start time: 9:00
Recommended Walking Tours Where Private Guides Show You Tourist Spots
Private Tokyo Tour with a Local Guide: Tailored to Your Interests
Source:Tripadvisor
This tour is a private walking tour where you can explore Tokyo's streets with a local guide. The location and plan can be completely customized according to your interests, and you can be guided from a local perspective to hidden local famous spots.
After booking, you can consult with the guide via email etc. about areas you're interested in and what kind of places you want to go to. I had them guide me around the downtown area around Asakusa and Sumida River. They guided me to places related to Tokyo's old culture and Sumo, and for lunch they introduced me to a sushi restaurant that local people visit.
The guide maintained a bright and positive attitude throughout the tour and communicated a lot with us, thanks to which we were able to walk through the city very enjoyably.
These Tokyo Private Tours offer a wonderful way to walk and explore Tokyo's streets as if being guided by a friend.
・Meeting point: NewDays Harajuku / 1-1820 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 1F, Omotesando Exit Or meet at a hotel listed
・Tour area: Yanaka, Shinjuku, Asakusa etc.
・Start time: Starts every hour between 8:00 and 12:00 (for 8-hour tours)
Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Source:Tripadvisor
This tour is a walking tour where you explore Tokyo for 6 hours with a dedicated guide who holds a national certification and has reliable knowledge. You can freely choose 3-4 destinations from a list.
The guide created a perfect itinerary based on our preferences that we communicated in advance. At each spot, they not only guided us through the standard tourist routes but also showed us every corner, and gave us detailed recommendations for the best photo locations.
In addition to explaining each spot, they also provided many easy-to-understand explanations about Japanese society and economy. You can also use public transportation like the subway to visit multiple areas.
This Tokyo Private Tours experience is recommended for those who want to efficiently enjoy Tokyo in a short time, and for those who want to leisurely explore Tokyo while listening to detailed explanations.
・Meeting point: Meet at a listed hotel or any other meeting point of your choice
・Tour areas: Asakusa, Chiyoda, Shinjuku etc.
・Start times: Starting every 30 minutes between 8:00~15:00
PRIVATE TOKYO FOOD TOUR: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME THROUGH FOOD
Source:Hello! Tokyo Tours
This tour is a walking tour where you explore Tokyo's gourmet and food culture together with a private guide. Together with a guide who has solid knowledge about food culture, you will visit various shops in three areas - Nihonbashi and Ginza, Tokyo Station, and Akihabara - and try 14 types of Japanese food.
This Tokyo Private Tours experience allows you to experience Tokyo's food culture from a multi-layered perspective, from traditional foods to the latest gourmet offerings. In Nihonbashi, you'll learn about ingredients essential to traditional Japanese cuisine such as kelp and dried bonito flakes, and try many traditional sweets and old-fashioned light meals.
In Akihabara, you'll taste unique desserts and sample Tokyo's cutting-edge gourmet offerings where new things are constantly being created.
The dedicated guide will teach you about food culture in a very enjoyable way, incorporating humor. If you want to deeply understand Tokyo through its food culture, please try this private food tour.
・Meeting point: Subway Nihonbashi Station, Exit B12/Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 1-chōme-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo City, Tokyo
・Tour areas: Nihonbashi and Ginza, Tokyo Station, Akihabara
・Start time: 11:30
If You're Looking for Private Tours, Mt. Fuji and Hakone Tours from Tokyo are Also Recommended
Mt. Fuji Full-day Day Trip Tour from Tokyo with a Private Car & Guide
This tour is a private tour where you depart from Tokyo by private car and can freely sightsee the Mt. Fuji area over the course of a full day. Together with a guide, you'll visit scenic spots around Mt. Fuji, tour local wasabi farms, and enjoy local gourmet food in this packed itinerary.
First, you'll go to Arakura Sengen Shrine near Mt. Fuji and enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji and the traditional Five-storied pagoda. Additionally, the tour of the lush green wasabi farm is an activity that can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults.
You can also taste fresh, freshly harvested wasabi. You'll be able to experience the rich nature around Mt. Fuji with your whole body, which is different from Tokyo. If you're looking for Tokyo Private Tours, this tour where you can enjoy the attractions of the Mt. Fuji area in one day is also recommended.
・Meeting point: Pick-up available at hotels mainly in Tokyo's 23 wards
・Tour area: Mt. Fuji surrounding area
・Start time: 8:00
Hakone Day Trip Tour from Tokyo with a Private Car & Guide
This tour is a private tour where you can enjoy Hakone, a hot spring resort area near Tokyo, in one day. Departing from Tokyo by private car, you'll tour Hakone's historic shrines, spots where you can enjoy magnificent nature, famous museums, and spa spots with the guidance of a dedicated guide.
This Tokyo Private Tours experience allows you to fully enjoy all of Hakone's many attractions over the course of a day. You'll be guided not only to Hakone's classic spots like Hakone Shrine and Owakudani where you can see volcanic landscapes, but also to Hakone's beautiful museums and foot bath spots.
The popular Hakone museum, The Hakone Open-Air Museum, has interactive art where children can play, walk through mazes, and enjoy artistic works.
If you want to take a one-day trip to the Tokyo suburbs using Tokyo Private Tours, this tour should provide you with a thoroughly satisfying experience.
・Meeting point: Pick-up available at Shinjuku or your hotel
・Tour area: Hakone
・Start time: 8:00
