
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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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 - 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 -
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 - KJTremo
11 family members ageing from 11 to 72 went to Hakone and Mt Fuji with guide Mayu. She was an extremely caring, organised, flexible and informative guide. Highly recommend Backstreet... read more Guides to take you in and around Tokyo. Very very easy to deal with prior to the tour as well.
January 17, 2020 - 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 - javmcparker
We took the Group Tokyo Night Tour on our first evening in Tokyo having landed early that day. It was the perfect way to get over our jet lag... read more as it got us out and about walking (we walked a lot (!) which was great). Mayu was a brilliant guide - she is super friendly, very knowledgeable and has excellent English. Our group was only ourselves and one other couple - I imagine with a bigger group it might feel a bit chaotic. Maya took us to all the “classic” Tokyo sights in Harajuku, Shinjuku and Shibuya. The only thing I would maybe have changed was that where the tour finished in Roppongi didn’t seem particularly interesting. Though that may have been because by that time we were tired.
The next day we took a private morning tour with Mayu where we visited sights on the eastern side of the city, imperial palace, tsukiji market etc. Again Mayu was brilliant - we especially enjoyed seeing the market with her as if we’d gone by ourselves we probably wouldn’t have tasted as many foods or even understood what they were! All in all the two tours really set us up for the rest of our time exploring Tokyo on our own, and I think they were great value.
March 9, 2020 -
Tokyo half day - Great Tokyo tour from Backstreet Guides delivered by Lei . Didn’t have much time as our cruise times weren’t great but Lei filled our time with some great stops .... read more Communication was brilliant before hand we were picked up and delivered back to the ship which made the whole process very easy . Would recommend to anyone
Andyfittes
March 29, 2026 -
Tour guide in Kyoto and Tokyo - We used Backstreet twice. Once in Tokyo and once in Kyoto. In Tokyo we had Rie. she took us around and we saw historical sites modern... read more streets and even quiet neighborhoods where we could learn a lot about daily Japanese life. We highly recommend her In Kyoto Junko was really nice. Very knowledgeable; took us all around the city in one day. We saw a lot and she was eager to help us see everything in a packed day. We highly recommend her
J M
February 26, 2025 -
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







