
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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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 -
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 -
Rie was awesome. Patient and great with my kids and made it a terrific experience for first timers to Tokyo. - Rie was awesome. Patient and great with my kids and made it a terrific experience for first timers to Tokyo. We didn’t know what to expect, but she took care... read more of everything and helped to navigate the city with ease. Wonderful learning experience for all.
sfeldage
June 30, 2025 - Madshus
Our guide Mayu-san met my two young adult sons and I at our Shinjuku hotel in the evening. Although I had been to Shinjuku, my sons had not and I... read more thought they'd be interested in a night-time tour of this area. We had a brief discussion as to the plan of the evening; Mayu-san took account of what we had done on our first day around Shinjuku and adjusted her itinerary for us accordingly. We started with a very short (and crowded!) train trip to Harajuku from where we walked to Shibuya and back to Shinjuku investigating all the things these areas have to offer. Mayu-san made us walk a lot and was very very informative. We stopped in Shibuya for dinner at an izakaya. I can attest my sons and I highly enjoyed their 5 hour guided tour with Mayu-san. We were very happy customers! I would certainly used Backstreet Guides again for another party of Tokyo or Japan (if they had any going). It's really a marvellous way to see the sights with a knowledgeable and friendly local.
February 4, 2020 -
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 -
Great day in Tokyo - We had a wonderful day in Tokyo on the Market & Modern Culture tour with our guide, Rie. She showed us the best spots in Tsujiki market that locals... read more prefer, taught us so much about the city, and helped us overcome the language barrier when we wanted to do a little shopping. Would highly recommend the Backstreet Guides!
MTS55305
March 23, 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 - Tas-wanderer
I had the best day. visiting Nikko dressed in its Autumn foliage- Mayu from Backstreet Guides was so organised and thankfully her English was impeccable (as my Japanese was very,... read more very limited). Mayu picked me up from my hotel and we headed via metro to the Nikko train- Mayu explained what we were doing on the day and after some obligatory photos at the train station (as the leaves of the trees were superb), we were introduced to our wonderful driver who drove us all over Nikko- showing us the best leaves and going to the magnificent Nikko Shrines and Temples as well as the countryside and the sublime views and vistas of this area. This tour was more than I had hoped for and Mayu provided information about the places we visited and the best things we should note- it was a wonderful, calm way to see this amazing area and exceeded all of my expectations!! Thank you for such a brilliant day in Nikko- I shall always remember the fun time we had.
December 4, 2019 -
10/10 once in a lifetime experience!! - This tour was incredible, and Hitomi, along with our driver, made the experience unforgettable! There’s no way we could have seen as much or appreciated the sights as deeply without... read more them. It was truly the highlight of our trip — we can’t recommend it highly enough!
emrklein
April 7, 2025







