Save time & have a better time anywhere in Japan (since 1990) with my expert private custom Japan tours & travel services. Learn more! WhatsApp: +1-415-230-0579. Email me today!

Custom Japan private tours: popular city tours, day trips, destinations

The famous deer of Nara Park, close to Kyoto and Osaka.

This page was designed to give Japan private tour travelers an overview of the standard or high-value custom Japan private tour options in major cities, day trips from major cities, and the general travel attractions of Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and Okinawa. The Japanese Alps region is like another island within the island of Honshu, Japan's main island. Beyond the obvious winter sports & hiking opportunities, the Japanese Alps offer a wide range of attractions. Historical settings like the thatched-roof villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama. If you are looking for something completely different do let me know, Ok? If you don't know when to go or what's going on in any month of the year, follow the month by month overview links below.

My custom Japan private tour clients have travelled all over Japan (since 1990!) but all arrivals enter the country via one of these five airports: Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka-KIX, Sapporo-Chitose, Nagoya-Central, and Fukuoka. But remember your arrival airport and the city it is in can been experienced later or not all. For first time visitors, the Golden Routes from Tokyo to Kyoto, which can pass through Mount Fuji or the Izu Peninsula, Takayama, and Kanazawa or alternately Kamikochi, Toyama and Kanazawa, is the most popular by far. However, since about 2016, more and more Southeast Asian clients are going off the beaten track. This is especially true for families and couples from Singapore and Australia who have already toured the worlds of Tokyo and Kyoto. And my personal favorite tour package designs are trips that weave old, tranquil Japan with busy contemporary scenes that many expect and come for.

My custom Japan private tour packages (self-guided and or guided tours) along the Golden Route generally include these stops. 1. Tokyo (plus day trips to Kamakura, Hakone | Mount Fuji, and Nikko or the Izu Peninsula). 2. Takayama | Shirakawago in the central Japanese Alps. 3. Kanazawa & the remote Noto Peninsula. 4. Kyoto (and excursions to Nara, Osaka night tours, and Himeiji Castle, Naoshima Art Island and frequently Hiroshima). 5. And then back to Tokyo. This route can easily be done in 10 days. If you only have 7 days then focus on Tokyo and Kyoto only. And don't forget the spiritual Buddhist wonders of Mount Koya or Koyasan as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka or for one night in a "luxury temple setting." (which is highly recommended!).

My YouTube channel's growing video playlist, created from my huge Japanese digital photo collection, is also a way to plan for your trip in a mental and emotional way. Presently, there are 3 videos that showcase: 1. Portraits of Japanese people in daily life (5 min.). 2. The Japanese Shinto religion: images, scenes and symbols (2.66 min.). 3. Japanese Buddhism in daily life: images, scenes and symbols (5 min.). Go to my YouTube channel.

The other areas of Japan that are becoming more and more popular with foreign travelers are Hokkaido (year round), Kyushu (spring and autumn), Shikoku (year round) and the many sides of the Japanese Alps (Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Toyama). For these off-the-beaten track locations, my self-guided tours of Japan & travel services are the preferred method of travel. I have over 30 years of experience with clients from all over the world who have traveled all over Japan. It’s what I do, and I love my work! Follow the links below to learn more about my most popular city and country tours.

Guided tour FAQs (start time and location; itinerary design; expenses; tips . . .).

Self-guided tour FAQs (design; delivery; types; expenses . . .).

Content by Ian Martin Ropke, owner of Your Japan Private Tours (est. 1990). I have been planning, designing, and making custom Japan private tours on all five Japanese islands since the early 1990s. I work closely with Japan private tour clients and have worked for all kinds of families, companies, and individuals since 1990. Clients find me mostly via organic search, and I advertise my custom Japan private tours & travel services on www.japan-guide.com, which has the best all-Japan English content & maps in Japan! If you are going to Japan and you understand the advantages of private travel, consider my services for your next trip. And thank you for reading my content. I, Ian Martin Ropke (unique on Google Search), am also a serious nonfiction and fiction writer, a startup founder (NexussPlus.com), and a spiritual wood sculptor. Learn more!

Expert custom Tokyo private tours & day trips

Edgy nightlife image of Tokyo full of energy!

My 100% tailor-made Tokyo private tours, are designed to experience the best value places in the metropolis. Between morning rush hour and the crush of trains in the evening, Tokyo is an outstanding place to tour. And the options are almost infinite: from the very old to the newest new, Tokyo has it all! My most popular Tokyo tours include most these gems: the old outer Tsukiji wholesale food market, Asakusa | Ueno | Yanaka, the modern buzz of Harajuku, Omotesando and Aoyama, new-world Daikanyama and the classic eye candy of the Ginza district. I like to mix old & new in a full day tour.

I also offer “specialty” tours for clients with a deep interest in gardens, architecture, manga | anime | cosplay, and foodie tours too! No matter your passion, my tour itineraries can be adjusted for your special interests. Naturally, this also includes traditional and high end shopping days. The choices are all yours!

Tokyo is also an excellent base camp for day trips to amazing places. My most popular day trip is Kamakura (12th century) by the sea which also offers exceptional views of Mount Fuji across the bay. The bullet train can zoom you to the Japanese Alps in an hour. Or you can zip to the coastal wonders and charming hot spring towns of the Izu Peninsula. A 30-minute shinkansen ride can also put you in the heart of the Hakone | Mount Fuji. Nikko is also a popular destination both for it’s main historical zone and the wonders of Lake Chuzenji and the waterfalls beyond.

And then there’s the nightlife of Tokyo which is not to be missed. Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any city on earth and this means the food worlds of Tokyo are simply beyond. My most popular Tokyo night tour combines the amazements of Tokyo MidTown (Roppongi) and the sacred and profane back lanes of Shinjuku. Odaiba, on the waterfront, is especially popular with families with kids. More information about my Tokyo area tours.

Kyoto city tours & popular day trips from Kyoto

Gion Matsuri float textile as seen on a private guided tour of Kyoto

Kyoto is by far the most popular city in Japan for foreign tourists. The city was the Imperial Capital of Japan for nearly 1,200 years (794-1868) survived WWII untouched. I know the city from many, many angles and have worked with all kinds of people interested in Kyoto. I was the Editor-in-chief of the now-defunct (during Covid) Kyoto Visitor’s Guide from 1995-2009. I like to go as local as possible in my popular Kyoto tours: walking tours, craft tours, adventure tours.

Kyoto is more like a big town and natural landscapes are to be found in the city and on the northern and western flanks of the valley.

In super peak season spring and autumn (mid-March-early May and mid-October to late November), Kyoto is different! There are nearly 300,000 domestic Japanese tourists in the city every day (much more on weekends) and between 12:00 noon and 18:00 moving around in a taxi or van can be an enormous waste of time. My tour itineraries for super peak Kyoto travel periods are carefully designed to save time with smart planning. If you are dreaming of a tranquil serene time in Kyoto you have to plan carefully in super peak travel times. I have incredible tour ideas and options. Learn more! Email me today!

My most popular custom Kyoto city tours generally follow itineraries that include two or three major districts in an 8-hour period. For example, my Kyoto east side tour, which can be a full day or a great half day or two half days, can include Shisendo Temple and the Shugakuin area in the north, the Silver Pavilion | Path of Philosophy area in the middle and the southern gems to be found between Maruyama Park and Kiyomizu Temple.

I advise against jumping around the city too much in a given time period. It is better to explore one area well and then explore another. Less really is more when it comes to memorable travel experiences . . . but in the end I only provide what you have signed off on (i.e., given your final OK).

Because Kyoto is so unique around the clock, I also provide tour options for the early morning hours (dawn) and the period between sunset and bedtime. For spiritual travelers and avid photographers, the early morning hours are always extraordinary in Kyoto. Areas of interest include Mount Yoshida, the backside of the famous bamboo forest, and Zen meditations followed by relaxing strolls and or picnics in scenic historical settings. From sunset to about 23:00, Kyoto offers a wide range of locations that are very special. The main and back lanes of the Gion geisha district. The mysterious 24/7 dimly lit worlds of Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine (often preceded by a stroll in the “secret” corners of Sennyu-ji Temple).

Outstanding day trip and excursion destinations from Kyoto are also part of most clients’ travel itineraries. Nara Park | Horyu-ji Temple for a full day. A full day that combines the splendor of Himeiji Castle with the charms of Kurashiki or the contemporary fascinations of Naoshima Art Island. Quite a few North American clients choose to visit the Hiroshima Peace Park and Miyajima Island. And my Osaka night tours popular with most of my clients (Dotonbori Canal, Shinsaibashi, Shin Sekai and Abeno Harukas). Another area that is becoming increasingly popular is Lake Biwa and a number of key historical and cultural gems (The Miho Museum, Ishiyama-dera Temple, Hikone Castle, Omi Hachiman). More information about my Kyoto area tours.

Osaka city tours & popular day trips from Osaka

Our private Osaka tours take you to where the Japanese shop and work

My private tours of Osaka and the surrounding area are something that many of my Southeast Asian clients appreciate and many of these clients make Osaka a base camp for a few days. Mostly for the modern shopping opportunities and the attractions of Universal Studios | Tempozan.

Osaka (Naniwa) served as Japan's first Imperial Capital in 645 AD and then again in 744 AD. Unfortunately, the city has always been a merchant and industry powerhouse. And in World War II it was almost entirely destroyed by fire bombs. The post-war reconstruction was fast and generally speaking ugly and concrete. While Osaka can in no way be compared to Kyoto, it’s people and culture are probably the most open and “Asian”. Great nightlife and also a gourmet capital for centuries . . .

The places and locations I use in my most popular Osaka tours include the Kuromon Ichiba fresh food market, the liveliest and most outrages parts of Namba, Shinsaibashi and American Village, and Osaka Castle. And then there are the ever rising and expanding forest of buildings that characterize the mega shopping worlds of Umeda | Chayamachi and Tennoji. More information about my Osaka area tours.

The Japanese Alps region in summer and fall and winter!

The majestic natural views over the Japanese Alps

The Japanese Alps region, in late spring, summer and autumn, is an extremely popular destination for Southeast Asian travelers. The natural landscapes and stunning vistas of the Japanese Alps are well known and much more diverse than most foreigners realize. I have designed many tour days in the areas near Takayama | Toyama | Kamikochi | Nagano.

As these areas are hugely popular with Japanese domestic tourists (about 75 million people!) they are also extremely well serviced by trains, buses, cable cars and ropeways. Trips into and across the Japanese Alps are easy once you arrive at the start point or trail head.

Getting to the start point often requires some initial travel on JR and private rail lines and this should be taken into consideration (unless you plan to rent a car). I plan and design all tours into these stunning landscapes with a high degree of logistical precision, and I always provide options and point out key issues for the route for that day. For your next trip to the Japanese Alps, consider my expert customized tours, itineraries and services. Learn more!

Japan month-by-month deep travel essays: nature, food, festival

The spring Kyoto maiko and geiko dances.

Most travel planning is based on timing and Japan, a country with four distinct seasons, is different every month of the year. Spring is chilly and then warm. Summer is wet first (June rainy season) and then very hot and humid at sea level west of Tokyo. Autumn is the rice harvest and the cool views of momiji maple leaves and charcoal cuisine. Winter is for watching the drift ice or skiing in Hokkaido (which you can also do at Hakuba, Nagano in the Japanese Alps). Below you will find a link for every month of the year to better plan your next self-guided tour of Japan or a trip that combines a few guided days with lots of Japan self-guided tours and travel services. Learn more!

Spring: Sights, nature, in-season cuisine, destinations

Spring in Japan is champagne weather: sunny, warm and a natural world exploding into new greens and colors of all kinds! And lots of festivals and major exhibitions! Late March is now the start of cherry blossom viewing (think climate change), which has been recorded since the Heian period, 794-1185 AD. Kyoto's super peak spring season is March 20-April 25 (more or less). If Kyoto is on your spring travel list then plan ahead for accommodation and crowd-avoiding days (I can help make it serene! Learn more!).

Summer: Sights, nature, in-season cuisine, destinations

Summer is very hot and humid in Kyoto and Tokyo, but you can escape the heat by starting your days at dawn (literally) and taking a 2-3-hour siesta from say 13:00-16:00. Heat exhausts and frays the nerves so care is necessary for children and adults alike: hats, sun glasses and a bit of cream. But you must carry a light sweater or jacket when you enter the "deep freeze" of air conditioning nearly everywhere you go at sea level.

Summer in Japan is best in the Japanese Alps, the Gifu birch forests (inland and uphill from Nagoya), and of course Hokkaido and certain out-of-the-way Pacific and Sea of Japan coastal beach paradises (the Tango, Izu, Boso, Noto peninsulas).

Autumn: Sights, nature, in-season cuisine, destinations

Autumn, like spring, is a busy season in Japan. Remember, Kyoto gets 50 million Japanese visitors a year and from mid-October to late-November nearly 12 million will visit Kyoto for momiji maple leaf viewing, but also because Japanese culture and poetry sees autumn as the beginning of the end, and spring as the beginning of the beginning. Lots of festivals in autumn too! And don't forget to plan ahead for sleeping in Kyoto from about Oct 20 to the end of November. [Super peak season also requires planning for where to go when, to avoid the crowds. And YJPT can help you plan around the chaos no problem. Learn more!]

Winter: Sights, nature, in-season cuisine, destinations

For North Americans and Europeans, who have their own distinct winter paradises, Japan is not a big destination in Dec, Jan and Feb. But for Australians and southeast Asians being in the snowy worlds of Japan is a delightful and exotic experience.

Japanese winters are mostly mild at sea level, but snowboarding and skiing perfections are just a train ride (Hakuba in the Japan Alps) or a flight away (Sapporo | Hokkaido).

And the crowds of Japanese tourists are all gone no matter where you go (except the major ski resorts near Tokyo on weekends). You feel like you have Kyoto to yourself in winter and that is precious for many. Prices don't go down much in off season, but having the place to yourself makes it a special Japan travel season, which can also include world-class winter sports.

Japan's 5 islands in depth: transportation, accommodation, destinations, local foods, history

These rice terraces are on the northwest coast of Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku.

Japan is a very big and long country made up of five separate main islands. From north to south: Hokkaido (snow sports, seafood, nature), Honshu (1,300 km long, 50-230 km wide; and bigger than the island of Great Britain!), Shikoku (Buddhist pilgrimage, beaches, nature, cuisine), Kyushu (Southeast Asian arrival paradise from food to nature and hot springs), and the tropical islands of Okinawa (scuba diving, jungle, hidden beach worlds).

Honshu Island: Much more than the Golden Route: Honshu is huge! Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto lie the island's 1,300 km (810 mile) northern coastline, Noto and Tango peninsulas' timeless villages, Tottori's sand dunes, and the endless hidden wonders of Izu, Mie, and the Inland Sea.

Hokkaido Island: A still wild natural world known for food and winter sports: Hokkaido is all about national parks, hot springs, flower parks, the Ainu, scuba diving, and some of the best seafood in Japan, but it's huge so time is required!

Kyushu Island, Japan's ancient origins with direct connections to southeast Asia: International flights arriving at Fukuoka International are a great way to have a perfect vacation | holiday | adventure | romantic story featuring hot springs, mountain villages, ceramics, bamboo baskets, and coastal wonders.

Shikoku Island: More history and old Japan than you know: Just south of Osaka | Kobe | Hiroshima, Shikoku is special for spiritual travel (the amazing 88 Buddhist temple pilgrimage), old and contemporary culture, stunning natural settings, and incredible local foods!

The Okinawa Islands: An ocean paradise with great music and cuisine: Okinawa is well known for world-class beaches, scuba diving and snorkeling, exotic food, and a unique music and martial arts culture. And it's a great place to start or end a Japan private tour.