Private Tours of Kyoto, Tokyo, Nara and Japan

Japan is the most fascinating country in Asia. While most visitors to Japan have a memorable experience, many leave feeling that they’ve only scratched the surface — that the best of the country somehow remained hidden away behind closed doors. If you're lucky enough to have a friend in Japan, you may get a more intimate view, but what if you don’t?

My name is Chris Rowthorn. I’ve lived in Kyoto for the past 15 years, exploring the hidden corners of the city and learning the Japanese language. During this time, I’ve also written ten guidebooks for Lonely Planet about Kyoto and the rest of Japan. I'm now happy to offer you private walking tours of Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara. My private walking tours of Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara combine a perfect selection of important tourist sites and off-the-beaten path gems, be they temples, gardens or shrines. My private tours of Tokyo also include the best of modern Japan. I offer each of these tours of Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara on a reservation basis, so you can enjoy them in the company of your family and friends. In addition to talking about the sights along the way, each walk is a fantastic opportunity for you to consult about Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara, so you can make the most of the rest of your stay.

In addition to my regular Kyoto tours, I offer customized tours and hiking tours to suit your specific interests. I also offer full trip planning. Whether you’re a fan of Japanese gardens, traditional architecture, temples, shrines, old shops, modern Japan, or some combination of all of these, we can put together a tour to satisfy every interest and most budgets. We can also arrange stays in atmospheric old ryokan (Japanese inns), meals in some of Japan’s best restaurants, entertainment with geishas, and whatever else strikes your fancy. Please tell us what you'd like to see and do and we’ll go from there!