Stephen O.Australia
Great tour! Vladimir was very knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. Lots of interesting stories and he is very genuine and authentic. Would definitely use his services again.
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Private tour in Tokyo Franziskus F
The very very weird, wild, and strange sides of Tokyo
5.0
(5) reviews
-
7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Franziskus F.
5.0
Guide rating
28
Reviews
Tours delivered
10 hrs
Avg. response time
I have been giving tours in Tokyo full-time since Japan opened its borders up in 2023. I love showing off the best of what this incredible city, and its surroundings, have to offer. Arriving in Japan can be unnerving. Everything is different - people, language, signage, customs, and public transportation - which can be challenging to the best of us. I would be glad to assist you at your arrival, or during your first days while trying to analyze this strange and beautiful place. Let me help you alleviate any initial stress and make you feel right at home. Tokyo has everything anyone could possibly imagine, and then some. Kudos to you for taking on this great adventure. Are you a traveller who likes to explore a more traditional Japan with its temples and shrines, amazing food culture, history, festivals (called matsuri), sumo, kabuki, and daily lifestyle? Or do you prefer to dive into the weird, strange, and even slightly freaky side of life, a world full of tech, creepy vending machines, otaku, and wildly diverse entertainment? I love them all, those fantastic juxtapositions of Japanese culture and lifestyle. And I would love to introduce to any and all of it. Please choose any of my tours in either English or German. I do speak basic Spanish but unfortunately not well enough to offer tours in it. My tours are fun, enthusiastic, informative, and cover anything from beautiful highlights to rare treasures off the beaten path. I have lived in many counties, and travelled many more. I was born in Germany. Already at a young age I dreamt of exploring the world, set foot into its jungles and desserts, climb, bike, fly, trek, and walk where few have been before. I wanted to be more than just another village kid, grow, search, adventure, and discover life with its many different cultures, languages, cuisines, and endlessly different ways of being. Japan, in my opinion, is one of the most different and soul awakening places on earth. Let me share my love for it with you. I have been working in customer service most of my adult life. I also have travelled extensively all over the world. I have visited over 50 countries, many of them many times. Japan is the 8th country I am calling my home. I am a self-starter, love languages and cultures, people and kindness. These are my credentials. :) I am not a licensed guide in Japan. I prefer not to drive although I do have a Japanese drivers license.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Franziskus F.
Discover the Tokyo that is truely different from the rest of the world
Overview of your Tokyo tour
This tour is available in German or English. Only for the open-minded. Tokyo is a city full of opposites, cultural extremes, and strange juxtapositions. I love them all, the places of worship, the weird shops and cafes that only exist in Japan, and the collector's heavens of the 'otaku' world. Let me introduce you to all of it, or at least some, as there is more to it than you will be able to see in a lifetime. During this fun-filled, 7 hour tour we will visit some rather weird temples and shrines that boast some rather strange traditions. You will learn about many interesting facts and anecdotes of Japanese culture and lifestyle. You will have the opportunity to try some truly bizarre foods, and dive into the world of otherworldly, Japanese oddities. We will meet at your hotel or a convenient location within Tokyo. Not all locations fit into a 7 hour tour. Please pick and choose and I'll try my best to show you as much as possible.
Recent Reviews
Jen Jen O.Singapore
My tour with Vladimir was excellent! Places we visited included: Fukagawa Fudo temple - has an amazing fire ritual Nakano Broadway - lots of quirky shops Two animal cafes - with owls, hedgehogs, chinchillas and otters The 3D cat billboard at Shinjuku I got up close with the locals on the subway and during our walks from place to place. Really enjoyed observing the Japanese in their element. Vladimir also shared lots of fascinating personal stories. The time flew by very quickly! Thank you for a memorable experience. :)
Elijah C.United States
We loved this tour! Vladimir was high energy and enthusiastic from the moment he met us at the hotel. He wanted to build a day-long itinerary that would meet all our interests and make it a worthwhile experience. This was probably the most walking we did in a day, but it was well paced and we started at the shrine for unborn children, children and families at Shiba Park. It's a colorful and vibrant shrine, despite its potentially sorrowful origin and symbolism. Vladimir made every street corner, weird vending machine and less-visited shrine seem so interesting. This was definitely a side of Tokyo away from the tourist books and we loved it for its somewhat 'alternative feel'. We all had a great day and 100% recommend Vladimir as a tour guide!!
Michel B.Luxembourg
Amazing tour! Vlad is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide, who showed us a lot of incredible sights of Tokyo that we would never have found on our own. Highly recommended!
Nathan L.United States
Thank you Vlad for your communication skills, knowledge and insight into the sights and places we visited with you in Tokyo. He was indispensable in navigating through the various neighborhoods and sights. as well as gracious and informative about cultural insights and customs of the Japanese through his eyes as an "immigrant" resident in Japan. Very helpful and we enjoyed our time together very much. Thanks again Vlad. Nate/Jim
Your Tokyo tour itinerary
There are so many unique and unusual places to visit here in Tokyo. Here are a few options for you to choose from: Visit Gotokuji Cat Temple, or a shrine with a history of love and devastation, where a monk had to burn his lover on the stake. Or maybe witness a ceremony at a temple feeding the God of Justice with fire and taiko drumming. You could feel like a 'Mafioso' in Ameya Yokocho, a former black market run by the infamous Yakuza, or dive into 'Otaku' culture at Nakano Broadway with its wacky shops, standing sushi bars, and used underwear vending machines. Visit Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, and Kabukicho in Shinjuku - including Godzilla Road - and wander the narrow streets in search of some of the strangest eats you may never want to try. My list of the weird and strange is always growing and changing. At the time of your booking, I will make sure to show you as much of it as possible.
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Train
We will take trains and walk.
What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Anything you wish to consume like food and drinks.
All your transportation costs.
Any souvenirs or gifts you may wish to buy.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Private Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
Accommodation
Tastings
Equipment
Classes Workshop
Services
Meeting location
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
History
Off The Beaten Path
Shopping
Religious Sites
Tour reference number
1237492
Languages
German
EnglishActivity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Tokyo best suited for?
This private tour in Tokyo is best suited for open-minded travellers who are eager to explore the unique, weird, and wild sides of the city. It's perfect for those interested in cultural extremes, strange juxtapositions, and the quirky aspects of Japanese culture. Whether you're fascinated by unusual temples, bizarre foods, or the 'otaku' world, this tour offers a fun-filled experience that goes beyond the typical tourist path.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Tokyo be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.