
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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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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Terrific time in Tokyo - We had a very enjoyable day touring Tokyo and seeing the sights we requested plus a few others recommended by our guide, Rei. The restaurant she chose for lunch... read more was excellent and both Rei and our driver were very helpful and accommodating for the older members in our group. It was a great experience we won’t forget!
Brad K
July 28, 2025 -
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 -
Exceptional Tokyo Experience with Backstreet Guides and Rie - Our experience with Backstreet Guides was absolutely perfect. Planning our trip was really fun thanks to Hiroko, who helped us craft a thoughtful two-day itinerary: she made sure everything flowed... read more well in terms of travel distances and incorporated all the special stops we wanted to include. Her attention to detail made a huge difference and it was incredibly rewarding to see it all come to life during our visit.
Our guide Rie was phenomenal! She is a true professional who brought so much knowledge, energy, and joy to our time in Tokyo. Her historical context added so much meaning to every place we visited, and she always knew the most efficient ways to navigate the city. Rie is also a fantastic photographer! She knew exactly how to pose us to capture the perfect shot every time (a huge bonus we hadn’t expected!). What we really appreciated was how she was able to adapt our itinerary on the fly. Whether we wanted to spend more time somewhere or make a spontaneous change, Rie was always flexible and made it all feel seamless.
Rie and the Backstreet Guides made our Tokyo experience truly unforgettable!
NancyD98
June 2, 2025 -
Hakone Hike and Lake Ashi - Our day hike with Rie from The Backstreet Guides was just amazing. She took our family
of four to a traditional tea house, up through the Hakone forrest,... read more and down to Lake Ashi. At Lake Ashi, we ate at an amazing bakery and drank Macha Latte while looking at the Lake. It was one the best parts of our trip!
Nicholas M
April 22, 2025 -
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 - 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 -
Fabulous Personal Tour - Great Tour Company. I inquired about a tour and got a response the very next day. As the tour date approached and I realized I needed to revise... read more the tour itinerary, I sent an email and was told it wouldn't be a problem. Rie (our very capable, prompt, conscientious, professional and wonderful guide) did conatant at-the-moment adjustments to the tour the entire day. She was always giving us options and made our day perfect. She picked a great restaurant for lunch and was always pointing out local vendors. Thank you!
King F
November 22, 2024 -
Thumbs up Backstreet guides - Met at our hotel by our guide Rie, we proceeded to travel around Tokyo suburbs trying amazing food,coffee and craft beer. Throw in a few temples,shrines and shops,it's a full... read more day out thats fun and stress free. Highly recommended 👌.
Curious28322482007
March 2, 2026







