Looking for a
guide in TOKYO?

Let’s ask Private guide KEN OKA

tokyo-logo-horizontal

Looking for a
guide in TOKYO?

Let’s ask Private
guide KEN OKA

tokyo-logo-horizontal

To hire a private guide is
inexpensive and worth the cost!

To hire a private guide
is inexpensive and worth the cost!

If you ​are looking for a tour guide in Tokyo, you reached the right website.

If you ​are looking for a tour guide in Tokyo, you reached the right website.

A group of five people enjoying a meal at a teppanyaki restaurant. They are smiling and posing for the camera.
A group of three people taking a photo with a famous character statue on the street. They are smiling and striking a humorous pose.

Thank you for coming to my website. My name is Ken Oka, a professional tour guide (Licensed by the Japanese government)and the travel supervisor in Tokyo, Japan. As a tour guide, I have some distinctive features in my guiding style. First, I am a private guide attending small groups or individuals. Second, I am contacting potential customers directly on my own website. Lastly, I am an area-specific guide concentrating on Tokyo capital city and its suburbs. Do you like to know the reasons? I explain my points of view below.

Why private guide is good for you?

Why private guide is good for you?

Why private guide is
good for you?

Guiding is a human-to-human
exchange

A period of the worldwide pandemic was an exceptional and terrible time. I did not have any guests from overseas for more than two years. I seriously thought of my guiding job during this period to reach a conclusion that human interaction is the most crucial life element. Conveying knowledge and information about history and culture is a part of my service, but the priority does not exist there. I believe an increasing number of happy families and retired couples will come to Japan, so I want to be a co-creator of their travel and to help them enjoy a different life and culture in Tokyo. The difficult period allowed me to realize the importance of human-to-human exchange.

A group of five people, including two children, posing in front of a large Christmas tree indoors

Guiding is a human-to-human
exchange

A group of five people, including two children, posing in front of a large Christmas tree indoors

A period of the worldwide pandemic was an exceptional and terrible time. I did not have any guests from overseas for more than two years. I seriously thought of my guiding job during this period to reach a conclusion that human interaction is the most crucial life element. Conveying knowledge and information about history and culture is a part of my service, but the priority does not exist there. I believe an increasing number of happy families and retired couples will come to Japan, so I want to be a co-creator of their travel and to help them enjoy a different life and culture in Tokyo. The difficult period allowed me to realize the importance of human-to-human exchange.

A private guide is flexible,
and everything is personalized

As I start a dialogue with you, I can listen well to your requests and wishes before designing your tour plan. Some like to visit famous tourist spots, while some want to avoid touristy places and see the ordinary Japanese lifestyle. I understand your interests and concerns, then propose the plan that suits your needs most. My tour mainly uses public transportation like subways or trains as Tokyo residents usually do so. Still, I may suggest a taxi or a hired car when you are worried about the long walk. The merit of a private tour guiding is its flexibility. You won’t be worried about not keeping up others in a group tour. You may change the itinerary according to the mood of the moment or weather, which is impossible in an extensive group tour.

Two people standing in front of a traditional Japanese temple sign with large kanji characters.

A private guide is flexible,
and everything is personalized

Two people standing in front of a traditional Japanese temple sign with large kanji characters.

As I start a dialogue with you, I can listen well to your requests and wishes before designing your tour plan. Some like to visit famous tourist spots, while some want to avoid touristy places and see the ordinary Japanese lifestyle. I understand your interests and concerns, then propose the plan that suits your needs most. My tour mainly uses public transportation like subways or trains as Tokyo residents usually do so. Still, I may suggest a taxi or a hired car when you are worried about the long walk. The merit of a private tour guiding is its flexibility. You won’t be worried about not keeping up others in a group tour. You may change the itinerary according to the mood of the moment or weather, which is impossible in an extensive group tour.

A native Tokyoite focuses on
Tokyo guide

Tokyo is an attractive, diverse city. It is vast and rapidly changing day by day. The knowledge and information obtained yesterday become outdated today. As a native Tokyoite, I feel it necessary to focus on Tokyo guiding rather than undertaking other Japanese cities. Because this way, I can update Tokyo information and maintain my guiding quality superior to others. I try to incorporate seasonal events or special exhibits that only residents know or offer places that regular tours do not show. If you plan to visit other local cities looking for a tour guide, I will help you find one through my guide network. I believe area-specific professional guides know their areas much better than me.

People walking on Takeshita Street in Harajuku. The street is bustling with tourists, giving off a lively shopping district vibe.

A native Tokyoite focuses on
Tokyo guide

People walking on Takeshita Street in Harajuku. The street is bustling with tourists, giving off a lively shopping district vibe.

Tokyo is an attractive, diverse city. It is vast and rapidly changing day by day. The knowledge and information obtained yesterday become outdated today. As a native Tokyoite, I feel it necessary to focus on Tokyo guiding rather than undertaking other Japanese cities. Because this way, I can update Tokyo information and maintain my guiding quality superior to others. I try to incorporate seasonal events or special exhibits that only residents know or offer places that regular tours do not show. If you plan to visit other local cities looking for a tour guide, I will help you find one through my guide network. I believe area-specific professional guides know their areas much better than me.

Happy voice from customers!

Happy voice from customers!

Happy voice from
customers!

Three people sitting on a bench in a Japanese garden, with greenery and a pond in the background.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“With Ken’s unique knowledge of the ancient area and Japanese history, we have enjoyed it so much as well as learning a lot more about Japan”

A group of five people enjoying a meal at a teppanyaki restaurant. They are smiling and posing for the camera.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Thanks for sharing your in-depth knowledge of Japanese history and culture with us. It was a very informative personal guided tour.”

Three people sitting on a bench in a Japanese garden, with greenery and a pond in the background.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“With Ken’s unique knowledge of the ancient area and Japanese history, we have enjoyed it so much as well as learning a lot more about Japan”

A group of five people enjoying a meal at a teppanyaki restaurant. They are smiling and posing for the camera.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Thanks for sharing your in-depth knowledge of Japanese history and culture with us. It was a very informative personal guided tour.”

What about the price?
Is Private guide expensive?

What about the price?
Is Private guide expensive?

The above is a comment from my guest (see testimonials), but when you consider hiring me, price & payment terms must be significant. My standard guiding fee for a group of 2-4 people is Japanese Yen33,000/group for 4 hours, Yen46,200/group for 8 hours (as of June, 2024. See Price page for details), which includes public transportation expenses in Tokyo metropolitan district. In other guiding tours, you will have to pay for the travel expenses for you and a guide additionally. There is no hidden cost in my tour. Payment term is fair – only 50% deposit at a time of the booking.


If you are looking for a guide in a language other than English (e.g. French), we will refer you to a guide in that language. Please speak directly with the guide for pricing and other details of conditions.

Make your best tour plan
as you want to visit, see, & eat!

Make your best tour plan
as you want to visit, see, & eat!

Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo
The Imperial Palace East Garden
Ueno park & Toshogu shrine

Japanese garden “Koishikawa Korakuen” in Tokyo
Tokyo Kagurazaka
Omotesando Architecture Tour

If you’re interested in private guides, ​
don’t hasitate to fill in a contact form!

If you’re interested inprivate guides, ​
don’t hasitate to fill in a contact form!

I promise my tour will give you and your family long-lasting memories. Please take them back home as a gift! If you are interested in my guiding service, do not hesitate to fill in the contact form below and dispatch it. I promise to reply within 24 hours. Any special request is welcome, and I enjoy problem-solving and new challenges. Inquiries and consultation are free of charge. When you hire me for multiple days, a 10% discount is applicable for guiding fees of the 2nd day onwards. In case I’m not available, I can introduce you good fellow guides to you. Contact me right now!

Please take a look at my calendar and price before submission.

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