Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before booking — if your question isn’t here, contact us directly.
Who is My Japan Guide?
My Japan Guide is a Kyoto-based licensed travel agency specializing in private tours and tailor-made itineraries across Japan. We offer private day tours in 15+ cities and fully custom multi-day itineraries designed personally by our team. All travel is private — just your group, with a dedicated local guide. We are registered with the Kyoto Tourism Bureau (Reg. Kyoto 3-1039) and operate under our parent company Private Tours Japan.
Who are the guides?
All our guides — whether Japanese or international — are bilingual English speakers, most of them certified. We recruit them for their local knowledge, their passion for Japan, and their ability to make every visit genuinely engaging. They live in the cities they guide — they’re not reading from a script.
Can you accommodate groups of more than 6 people?
Our standard tours are designed for groups of up to 6. If your group is larger, contact us — we can arrange additional guides or split the group to maintain the private experience. We do not run shared group tours regardless of group size.
Should I tip my guide?
Tipping is not part of Japanese culture — but if your guide made your day truly special, it is always appreciated and gratefully received. And if you’d like to show your appreciation in another way, an honest review when you return home means the world to us — and helps other travelers discover Japan the way you did.
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What types of tours do you offer?
We offer three types of travel:
- Private day tours — full or half-day tours in 15+ cities across Japan. Just your group with a local guide. Bookable directly from each tour page.
- Custom multi-day itineraries — fully bespoke trips designed from scratch by our Kyoto team. We handle everything — accommodation, transport, guides, reservations.
- Unique experiences — exclusive cultural access including geisha dinners, sumo morning training, Kintsugi workshops, and more.
How far in advance should I book?
For day tours, we recommend booking at least 1–2 months in advance, especially during cherry blossom season (late March – mid April), Golden Week (late April – early May), and autumn (November). For custom multi-day itineraries, contact us at least 6–3 months before your trip to allow time for proper planning.
Our rates and pricing
All prices are inclusive of taxes and include your private English-speaking guide and transport between sites. Prices are per group (maximum 6 people), not per person.
High season surcharge (Spring): March 18 to May 7 — +20% on all day tour prices.
For custom multi-day itineraries, pricing covers the full trip — accommodation, transport within Japan, guides, and reservations.
What happens if I need to cancel?
All cancellation requests must be sent by email to booking@myjapanguide.com.
- 35+ days before travel: No cancellation fee (5% transaction fee applies)
- 15–34 days before travel: 50% of booking total + 5% transaction fee
- 14 days or less: 100% of booking total
How can I make changes to my reservation?
Send all modification requests by email to booking@myjapanguide.com. Changes of date or content cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability. We will always do our best to accommodate requests made with reasonable notice.
Where do the tours start?
Our guides meet you at your hotel — no need to find a meeting point in an unfamiliar city. If it makes more sense logistically, we may suggest meeting at a central landmark, but hotel pickup is standard for all day tours.
Will there be other people on the tour?
Never. All our tours are 100% private — just your group and your guide. We do not run shared group tours under any circumstances. Private means private.
Are the tours on foot or by vehicle?
It depends on the tour and your preferences. Most city tours combine walking and public transport. Private car options are available for all tours — ideal for those who prefer more comfort, or for reaching places outside city centres. Some tours include a private car by default. Check each tour page for details.
Are the tours on foot or by vehicle?
It depends on the tour and your preferences. Most city tours combine walking and public transport. Private car options are available for all tours — ideal for those who prefer more comfort, or for reaching places outside city centres. Some tours include a private car by default. Check each tour page for details.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run in all weather conditions — rain is part of Japan and most experiences are unaffected. Tours are cancelled only in the event of extreme weather that endangers safety: typhoon, severe storm warnings etc. In that case we will contact you directly to reschedule.
What’s your privacy policy?
We do not share your personal information with third parties. Full details are in our Privacy & Cookies policy.
QUICK INFO
EMAIL
booking@myjapanguide.com
RESPONSE TIME
Within 24 hours
MAX GROUP SIZE
6 people (standard tours)
LANGUAGES
English · French · Japanese
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STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
We reply to all inquiries within 24 hours, Monday to Saturday.
