• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Welcome to Tokyo! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Tokyo to start your city trip on the right foot.

Destination

Tokyo, Japan

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

1.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Türkçe, Português, 日本語, 中文, Español

Included

• Private Guide
• Local Tips & Tricks
• City Orientation
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to attractions
• tips

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 9 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at At the Shibuya Hachiko Square lottery shop (next to the Hachikō Statue) - Tokyo to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. City Highlights

   See Hachikō Memorial Statue, Harajuku and more landmarks and must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots of the city so you can get the perfect introduction to what makes Tokyo so special

4. Local Hot Spots

   Along the way, your host will point out hangout spots and hidden gems that only the locals know about and will help you get acquainted with the city in the most local way possible

5. Food Recommendations

   Receive tailored recommendations according to your taste and where to go and what to eat while visiting Tokyo. Avoid tourist traps thanks to your local host!

6. City Orientation

   Learn how to navigate the city, and get the answers to your Tokyo questions that will help you in the following days making your time in the city much easier

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Jenn🇺🇸 United States

(About local Seden)

28 July 2025

We LOVED our tours with Seden. She knew all of these out of the way spots with incredible food (we are foodies) and also helped us figure out how to use the local trains so we could get around more confidently. We saw art, architecture and got so many tips on local spots. Seden even helped make my daughter's 18th birthday unforgettable with helping us set up a shopping trip that was her dream come true. We got ALL the outfits for school in a style she loved. And had a hair appt. researched and set up set up by Seden. In other words, she goes above and beyond for her clients to help them experience Japan the way they are wanting and needing to. If you get to work with her, you are LUCKY! Thanks, Sed! 💕Seden is AMAZING!

Hannah, Mark and Amy🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Joanne)

28 July 2025

We did the 1.5 hour City Kickstart tour with Joanne around the Shibuya area. She was delightful, friendly and informative. She told us lots of interesting facts, insights and stories and pointing out things that we’d have just unknowingly walked past if we’d been wandering round on our own. Her tour was well paced and balanced with a little bit of everything, including some practical help as to how to get a Suica card to make using public transport easier across the whole of Japan. Many thanks Joanne! Great tour with Joanne

Craig🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Joanne)

27 July 2025

Thanks Joanne for a very helpful introduction to Tokyo. Joanne was very accommodating in moving our start time at short notice, and then running a whistle-stop but also informative 90 minute tour with many helpful insights on Japanese food, culture, and the transport system. Saved us a lot of time in the long run! Great intro to Tokyo

Bryan🇺🇸 United States

(About local Alejandro)

15 July 2025

Alejandro was awesome! My flight was delayed over 24 hours getting into Tokyo and he was so kind and flexible to work with me so I didn’t lose the money I spent. He accommodated my group and was excellent with communication. He is very knowledgeable about Tokyo and Tri-lingual offering us English and Spanish! Totally recommend him for your trip to Tokyo!Excellent Service

Christina🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Joanne)

7 July 2025

We were absolutely delighted with Joanne a charming kind person, it was our first experience of Tokyo and she helped us with everything we needed to know , enabling us to find our way round easily and learning about Tokyo. We would definitely recommend a local Excellent

Chontalle

(About local Seden)

5 July 2025

Seden helped us prior to meeting with advice on transport, guided us through amazing sights and recommended food and shopping hotspots. Even with a crisis(travelling with kids) she did everything she could to help. Seden was so much more than we expected…. Highly recommend her. Seden went above and beyond

Boz🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Joanne)

3 July 2025

We flew in from London, landing at about 08:30am, and decided to try and stay awake until evening. So we booked Joanne for a short tour of Shibuya and Harajuku. It was a great move. Joanne was bang on time and super flexible with what we wanted to do. (Thanks again Joanne). A great mix of history and general local knowledge that is very helpful on our first trip to Tokyo. It was very warm and humid, so we went inside shops etc to cool off several times. The pace of the tour was perfect. Joanne probably spent longer than she should have done with us, and we're very grateful for it. Also worth noting was that Joanne was in touch via WhatsApp about a week before we arrived in Japan, which was comforting. Would highly recommend, and if we come back to Tokyo, then we will book Joanne again and do another district or two. A great start to our trip

Ruth🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Joanne)

18 June 2025

My husband, 16 year old daughter and I had a perfect kick start tour with Joanne. She met us on time on a very hot and steamy Tokyo day. She had a tour planned that allowed for interesting air conditioning breaks, gave us facts and insights to the Shibuya area and took us to a “secret” free spot to view the Shibuya Scramble. We then headed to Takeshita Street via subway, this was priceless for us as it gave us the confidence to then use the subway- which is amazing in Tokyo! We ended, as requested at Meiji Jingu, after orientation to Shinto and Buddhism and the Japanese dynasties. Joanne was friendly, and full of loads of tips for our time in Tokyo. Two thumbs up from my family for time with Joanne. You will not regret the experience!First rate orientation!

Juerg Hans🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

14 June 2025

We recently had the pleasure of joining a guided tour in Tokyo and was incredibly fortunate to have Abu as our guide. From the very beginning, their warmth, professionalism, and deep knowledge of Tokyo’s history and culture made the experience truly exceptional. Abu was not only punctual and impeccably organized but also brought an infectious enthusiasm that kept us engaged throughout the tour. Whether we were navigating the vibrant streets of Shibuya, exploring the serene beauty of the Meiji Shrine, Abu provided fascinating historical insights and anecdotes that brought each location to life. His language skills were excellent. Thanks to Abu, we left Tokyo with a deeper appreciation of the city’s rich heritage and vibrant present. We wholeheartedly recommend Abu to anyone looking for an insightful, enjoyable, and memorable experience in Tokyo.Exceptional experience

Terry🇹🇭 Thailand

(About local Joanne)

5 June 2025

Joanne was great, relaxed and easy going no rushing around. We came armed with a few questions but were very happy to go along with the flow. We'll probably be going back to Japan next year and will be looking forward to another tour with Joanne, praise indeed.Just a Perfect Introduction

Alex

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

28 May 2025

May 18, 2025 – A Peaceful Start, a Buzzing Finish Today, I met my guest at his hotel in the afternoon, and from there, we took a train to Harajuku Station to begin our day at Meiji Shrine. It was a calm and serene start to the tour — walking through the forested path leading to the shrine always offers a nice balance to the busy city life. After exploring the shrine grounds, we strolled down Takeshita Street, where the energy quickly shifted — full of trendy shops, quirky snacks, and the fun chaos of Harajuku youth culture. We grabbed some brown sugar and matcha tapioca drinks, which were refreshing and gave us a little sugar boost. Next, we took a taxi to Miyashita Park. The modern rooftop park was a nice place to pause and enjoy some greenery in the heart of Shibuya. From there, we continued to Shibuya Yokocho, a retro-style alley filled with izakayas and food stalls. We sat down for some yakitori, sake, and a taste of plum wine, which my guest enjoyed a lot. After eating, we explored the Shibuya shopping area, visited the Starbucks with the iconic view over the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then crossed the famous intersection ourselves and visited the loyal Hachikō Statue, a Tokyo classic. Later, we hopped on a train to Shinjuku, where we wandered through Omoide Yokocho, taking in the nostalgic atmosphere and old alleyways. Then we headed to the bright lights of Kabukicho, Tokyo’s entertainment district, and finally ended the night with a stroll through Golden Gai, known for its tiny, character-filled bars and lively vibe. We finished the tour there, and from Shinjuku, we took the E Line back. It was a full day — a perfect blend of peace, food, culture, and nightlife. My guest had a great time, and I did too.Great Guide!

Augusto🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

16 May 2025

The tour was excellent! Gulay was very friendly and knowledgeable, and she shared some really helpful tips on how to navigate Tokyo’s public transportation. She also recommended great places to visit, which made our experience even better. Highly recommend!Great experience

Shari and Lauren🇺🇸 United States

(About local Joanne)

28 April 2025

This was my first time to Japan. My friend and I arrived the day before and we were jet lagged so we scheduled a late morning tour. We met Joanne in Shibuya and from the start of the tour she was engaging, personable and knowledgable. In addition to pointing out some of the most exciting and historical sites to see, she also shared with us local spots that may elude the typical tourist. As an expat, she knew exactly what interested us and how to pace the tour perfectly. She was a delight and we would not hesitate to recommend her over and over again! Fantastic and fun tour!!!

Emma

(About local Gulay)

27 April 2025

Gulay was a fabulous guide to help us get to know Tōkyō at the start of our trip. Would highly recommend. Also provided some great tips for the rest of our stay in Tokyo. Tokyo Kickstart tour review - Gulay

Helen 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Gulay)

26 April 2025

Gulay met and spotted us as arranged. She was friendly and knowledgeable- informing us of many aspects of life in Tokyo and how to get the most out of our visit - from food , shops , best sights , how to pray at a temple etc. We tasted local made cola and other food highlights pointed out. She also sent a message with ideas for our next couple of days . We would be very happy to recommend her. Great introduction to Tokyo

Surash

(About local Joanne)

23 April 2025

Great tour guide with excellent knowledge of the local area and history! Would highly recommend! Excellent start to our holiday

Steve

(About local Alejandro)

17 April 2025

Alejandro was very knowledgeable and informative. He spoke excellent English and Japanese. Great guide

Mark

(About local Joanne)

17 April 2025

Joanne was totally excellent. Not just giving us information on the tour but helping us to improve our experience of our visit. Tha is Joanne you were amazing Totlly excellent

Joanne🇮🇪 Ireland

(About local Joanne)

16 April 2025

In our first day in Tokyo this was a great way to start. We got a flavour of the city and some guidance on how to navigate the public transport which was invaluable. Really enjoyed the tour and would recommend Joanne highly. She was friendly & informed. Our only downside was trying to find the meeting point. Tokyo is so busy and the area was undergoing renovations- so give yourself double the time when trying to get where you want to go! Get to know Tokyo

Doris

(About local Gulay)

13 April 2025

The Tour with Gulay was perfect for is. We arrived in the afternoon in Tokio and in the evening we started the 1,5 h Tour in shibuja. Gulay gave us a lot of information about how we have to move forward in this big City and explore the best places. At the end of the tour we visited a Food court near shibuja crossing and enjoyed the evening with traditionell Japan Food. It was a pleasure for us to meet Gulay. Br guys from Austria 😊Austrians explore Tokio 🙂

Katie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Joanne)

3 April 2025

Joanne did a fantastic job showing us around the key areas of Tokyo on this tour! She showed us the highlights of Shibuya, including a secret spot to see the crossing from up high, and took us to Harajuku, which was a hit with our 3 teenage daughters. We were able to ask her tons of questions about the trains, which areas we should go to, and ones we can cross off our list (only due to our limited time in Tokyo). We asked her for a sushi recommendation for dinner that night and walked us all the way to the restaurant and helped us get a table. That dinner was one of our favorites during our trip to Japan - phenomenal food and spectacular views! Highly recommend this tour if you're heading to Tokyo and definitely book with Joanne. 10/10! We loved learning about Tokyo from Joanne!

Harry🇮🇲 Isle of Man

(About local Gulay)

27 March 2025

I cannot recommend Gulay highly enough! We did a 90mins tour starting next to the famous Shibuya Crossing and then explored the area. Gulay showed us some great hidden gems like little bars, the best ramen places and a small neighborhood where the locals live. She also really kindly bought us some matcha drinks and cake :) Gulay was super knowledgeable about the history and culture of Tokyo, answered all our questions and gave us some amazing recommendations for restaurants and sites to visit and avoid. Honestly felt like we were going around with a friend we’d known for years. 100% recommend! Thanks Gulay :) The perfect tour guide!

Pam

(About local Kennedy )

18 March 2025

We had a great time learning about Japanese culture and exploring Tokyo with Kennedy! She is very knowledgeable and helped us get acquainted with this beautiful city.Fun time exploring the city

daniela🇲🇽 Mexico

(About local Gulay)

23 February 2025

Taking this tour with Gulay was an excellent idea! She gave us so many great tips on how to explore the city and make the most of our time in Tokyo. Gulay was very kind and knowledgeable, showing us the main areas like Shibuya and giving us great recommendations on things to do and places to eat. We truly enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend this tour with Gulay to anyone visiting Tokyo!Best way to start

Rosita

(About local Gulay)

18 February 2025

Gulay was very knowledgeable and took her time explaining the area, the rituals, and customs. She guided us on what to see and how to get there after the tour, which was very helpful. Would highly recommend using Gulay as a guide in Tokyo.Gulay highly recommended

Sarah🇺🇸 United States

(About local Joanne)

18 February 2025

My husband and I had a great tour with Joanne! She did a great job of combining the new with the old of Tokyo and taking us to places we wouldn’t have been able to find on our own. Would highly recommend anyone to book a tour with her! Great start to our Japan Trip

Stefan

(About local Alejandro)

12 February 2025

Thanks a lot for the perfekt City Kickstart Tour in Tokyo. Group Manu 50

Selma

(About local Carlos)

12 January 2025

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

11 January 2025

Julie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

3 December 2024

Carlos was wonderful right from the time of booking. I asked lots of questions and he answered them thoroughly and immediately. He texted us the night before to inform us of his arrival time. He was very friendly and informative. He took us to two wonderful establishments to eat during our 5 hour private tour. He showed us how to use the train lines. Helped us buy our bullet train tickets for our next destination. He went above and beyond. We highly recommend him for your Tokyo tour!!! Carlos was a fantastc guide!

Mike

(About local Gulay)

30 November 2024

Very nice tour. Very knowledgeable about the area. Great for English speaking travelers. Highly recommend. Nice tour!

Kate🇺🇸 United States

(About local Alejandro)

26 November 2024

Alejandro’s tour was great. We signed up for an after hour and half intro to Tokyo and liked him so much we went on and spent the evening on one of his food/bar hopping tours. He has a great handle on the city from over a decade living there and helped us with great suggestions. He was prompt and easy to communicate with and left us with great memories and wonderful photos. Super Fun!

Ibrahim🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

(About local Carlos)

9 November 2024

Carlos was very nice, informative and relaxed. He made the tour feel very chill and nice. He personalizes the tour as the group wants. Recommend for a newcomer to tokyoLovely intro to shibuya

herwig🇧🇪 Belgium

(About local Carlos)

29 October 2024

From the moment we met with Carlos we knew he would be guiding us around Shibuya as a friend. Great experience!Great experience!

Andrew🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

20 October 2024

We had a wonderful time walking around Shibuya with Carlos. It was a great introduction to a neighborhood we went back to on our own maybe times. Would have been tough to get the full understanding of it all on our own, at least in only 90 minutes. He was great to chat with. The time flew by. Highly recommend.Great Experience

amy🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Gulay)

18 October 2024

Gulay was a fantastic guide to the hustle and bustle of Shibuya! She was friendly and full of enthusiasm for the city. She shared bits of history along with many recommendations for activities that my teens would enjoy. I’d recommend this tour for anyone who is visiting Tokyo for the first time and especially for families with children. Great fun for teens!

Olivia🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

17 October 2024

My mom and I had a wonderful tour with Gulay. She was knowledgeable, fun, and adapted the tour to our interests and needs. She gave us a great overview and intro to shopping in Tokyo along with interesting history and culture tidbits as we went. We really enjoyed our time with Gulay and couldn’t recommend her more!Thank you Gulay!!!

Ria🇵🇰 Pakistan

(About local Carlos)

8 October 2024

This was my first time in Tokyo with my kids. Carlos gave me a very good introduction to the area, some local traditions and some good tips and tricks! I was very intimidated with the train/ subway system so Carlos really helped me understand- also came on a short train ride with us to get me comfortable. I really got lucky that i found Carlos.Carlos is fabulous

Sharon🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Gulay)

11 September 2024

Gulay provided a good though brief introduction to Tokyo. It was useful to understand the cultural norms of Tokyo when we first arrived. Recommend this short walking excursion to tourists new to Tokyo. Gulay spoke very good English and was very friendly Good introduction to Tokyo

Unknown

(About local Gulay)

10 September 2024

Gulay is absolutely lovely and so helpful and friendly from the get-go. Our friend recommended doing a tour on the first day of our holiday and we really got so lucky with Gulay-she’s fabulous!! Thank you Gulay! A wonderful way to start our holiday!

Jon🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

31 August 2024

Gulay was awesome. She truly did give us a kick start for enjoying our time in Tokyo. She quickly and easily taught us how to navigate public transportation. The places she took us to were fantastic. Gulay was very pleasant and she shared much local history that truly made us feel we welcome and immersed in Japanese culture. Gully went beyond our expectations. She came to our holes to start the day. It was our first day in Tokyo.Awesome Host

Tim🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Seden)

8 August 2024

It was a great tour! :) Thanks for helping us to find all the good spots in the city! Excellent! :)

alina🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

5 August 2024

This is a fantastic concept for those that just want a fast orientation to Tokyo. Gulay is an amazing, friendly, and fun guide for the entire family. Our family of four (including 2 picky teenagers) loved our time with her. She took us to spots not many locals know about and shared some good restaurants too. We especially loved her tip on trying natural japanese cola and went back a second time. If you are interested in getting a lay of the land in shibuya and the street for sneaker shopping, definitely book Gulay. She cam customize based on your interests and even texted us afterwards with some guidance. Next time we are in Tokyo, will definitely book an afternoon or evening with her. Perfect start to our stay in tokyo

Armand🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Gulay)

30 July 2024

Gulay was a very pleasant and knowledgeable tour guide.Excellent starter tour in Tokyo

Unknown

(About local Gulay)

15 July 2024

Gulay gave us a amazing kickstarter tour of Shibuya and the surrounding neighborhoods. She is very enjoyable and very know;edgeable about the city ans the Japanese culture. I highly recommend herVery enjoyable and informative tour

shelly🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

18 June 2024

Loved our tour w Gulay. She was full of great stories and helped us to get to know Tokyo a bit better. Great fun lots if good stories

Kevin🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Gulay)

9 June 2024

Gulay provides information about the best of Tokyo in such a lovely way. She knows all the best spots so please do ask her. Would recommend… I write this review the day after and we’ve spent it using ALL the recommendations she made.Fabulous start to Tokyo trip

Richard🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Gulay)

26 May 2024

We had a great tour around Shibuya with Gulay, she is knowledgeable and very friendly, she also told us where to go for amazing ramen at lunch. Can’t recommend enough. Great Gulay

Dawn🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

21 May 2024

Gulay was a wonderful tour guide! Our tour was so fun and informative! Gulay tailored the tour to our family, gave great suggestions and provided links to things we were interested in doing in Tokyo. She was very attentive to questions, even after our tour. I would highly recommend Gulay!Great tour and tour guide!

Frank🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Gulay)

20 May 2024

What a wonderful and lovely person, and a great tour. Highly appreciated. Tks a lot for everything and hope to see you soon :) Have fun in this great city one of the best tour guides