
ABOUT US
Private Guided Tours in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Beyond
Discover Japan with The Backstreet Guides, your trusted Tokyo private tour guides since 2011. We specialise in private, personalised tours that reveal Tokyo’s vibrant backstreets, hidden gems, and cultural landmarks, as well as Kyoto, Hakone, and other unique destinations.
Our licensed local guides craft tailor-made experiences, allowing you to explore at your own pace while gaining authentic insights into Japanese culture. Every tour is fully private, offering flexibility, comfort, and deeper connections.
Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, we create enriching, custom journeys that showcase the real Japan. Book your private Tokyo tours for 2026 today!

Tokyo Tours
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Tokyo Day Trips
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Kyoto Tours
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Small Group Journeys
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English-Speaking Private Tours
Walking tours using public transport or tours by private transport. We've crafted tours to cater to all. Drawing from invaluable experience touring with thousands of clients over the past decade, our team has designed these tours to meet diverse preferences and ensure an exceptional experience for every traveller.

Testimonials
We bring the best experience
See what our past guests say about us. Travelers' Choice Award 2024 & 25!
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Do it... you won't regret it! - Great tour with Mana Nakano.
She was prompt in meeting at hotel, had a historical presentation about Tokyo. We went to the Ueno station, Imperial Palace Gardens, and several other... read more places. It was very interesting. I enjoyed the whole day!
I also did a day tour with Rie to Kamakura, and that was really good, too. Kamakura is a wonderful coastal town just south of Tokyo. The last time I was there was 16 years ago, and happy I went back.
jka2017
February 6, 2026 -
Private Day Tour - Tokyo - Rie was the absolute best tour guide!! We thoroughly enjoyed our day, learned so much, and were able to partake in new and authentic experiences. Would recommend to anyone and... read more book again!
865courtneyv
November 2, 2025 -
Outstanding Tour by Rie - Rie was an outstanding tour guide. She took us to two markets, two shrines, and other fascinating places. She was punctual, knowledgeable, patient with our slow pace of walking, and... read more very kind. We highly recommend her without reservations.
Karen H
October 16, 2025 -
The BEST Tokyo Guides - This was our second time booking with The Backstreet Guides. We had an amazing private tour with Rie! We were so grateful to have her with us for 3 days.... read more We found things we never would have seen, ate foods we would have missed, and shopped in spots I’m confident we couldn’t find again even now that we have the address!
Absolutely excellent! Every wish was granted. We couldn’t have hoped for anything better!
Daisy L
March 31, 2026 -
The Best - The Backstreet Kyoto Tour was amazing! Our guide Saki was such a knowledgeable and impressive tour guide. We visited and learned about all the major Kyoto sites. Also we had... read more time for a great lunch and a wonderful shopping experience. Overall, it was a superb day! Highly recommend this tour.
Dan R
October 3, 2025 - archimum77
We organised this tour after successfully using Backstreet Guides 7 years ago on our first trip to Japan. Our gorgeous guide Mayu came and met us at out hotel in... read more Shinjuku on our first day in Tokyo... she was fantastic - we had arranged in advance what we would like to see with our 2 kids (10 and 14) as we had been to Japan before - she took us straight to the subway and helped us organise our pasmo cards - we then spent the morning at Tsikuji markets, walked through Ginza to Asakusa temple, had lunch in a great Ramen join near the temple, went on to Akihabara and then navigated us back to our hotel in the late afternoon. She had perfect English from her time in Australia and perfectly gauged the interest level of our family so we had plenty of information without being bombarded with too much info. The kids enjoyed having a local person to question and talk to about our differences in culture etc. It was a perfect way to start our 9 days in Japan as it gave us the confidence to navigate on our own. Backstreet Guides also organised our Sumo tickets and Baseball tickets which we thoroughly enjoyed and had a bit of drama getting organised online. Id highly recommend this company and use them again!
October 6, 2019 -
Our KYOTO ADVENTURE with the wonderful Saki - Our Kyoto Tour was absolutely unforgettable.
Our wonderful tour guide SAKI was knowledgeable and shared fascinating historical and cultural insights that brought each site to life.
This tour gave... read more us a deep appreciation of Kyoto's traditions and hidden details we would have missed on our own.
Highly recommended for anyone visiting Kyoto for the first time.
Craig and Richard
Richard N
January 11, 2026 -
Great, busy day - We had a fabulous, fun filled day with Seiko along with lots of laughter and jokes. She met us promptly at the port and off we went on a... read more train and subway to see the main sights of Tokyo. She was very knowledgeable and customized the tour to fit our needs even making a slight change during the day to adapt for us. Be prepared for lots of walking, lots of steps and lots of subways-but it was actually what we were prepared for even some rain. Would highly recommend her and the tour to anyone!
twoonaroadtrip
October 7, 2024 -
Day in Kyoto - The tour was amazing, our guide Ai was very knowledgeable and had answers to all our questions. She took us over a large area in a good amount of time... read more so we got to learn about the history and modern culture.
Jess M
January 26, 2026







