Jay Tee's
Private Tours of Japan
Embark on a personalized and immersive small-group walking tour in Kyoto, Kobe, or Osaka, Japan (and now Nara!). Explore local areas, learn hidden gems, examine cultural wonders, and enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine, with only YOUR group, at YOUR pace!
These are private tours, completely customizable to your group's preferences, ensuring a unique and unforgettable experience. The pace of the tour is adjustable to suit all physical abilities, with breaks included. Tours are booked in two-hour increments, starting at a minimum of 4 hours.
Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to explore Japan in an unforgettable way! Lace up your walking shoes and let's journey through Japan together. See you soon!
To book, just contact Jay Tee directly.
- No deposit required
- Cancel anytime you need to (as I know, travel plans change quickly!)
- Pay on the day, with cash or credit card
When ready to book, please have the following information available:
- How many people will be joining the tour? (Each tour has a limit, most tours accommodate up to 8 participants)
- How many adults and children are in your group?
- When would you like to schedule the tour? Date and starting time, please.
- Where should we meet? Please provide your hotel name, or another convenient in-city location (train station, etc.).
- Feel free to share any additional preferences or requests you may have. Flexibility is why you're booking a private tour!
More about Jay Tee and how I do Japan tours below the pics!
CLICK ANY IMAGE BELOW for tour descriptions and pricing
Prices listed there are TOTAL for the tour, not per person. The number of people coming along does not alter the price of the tour. Thanks.
ABOUT JAY TEE
A seasoned entertainer and former educator, I bring a dash of pizzazz to tours by regaling guests with tales of my own adventures and experiences. With a passion for travel and a heart that beats for Ukraine, Israel, and democracy everywhere, I welcome guests from all corners of the globe with open arms. Oh, and did I mention? I'm LGBTQ+ friendly, too!
While I may not be superstitious, I have a deep-seated love for all things spooky and supernatural. Japanese monster, ghost, magic, and horror stories hold a special place in my heart, offering a unique blend of history and folklore that never fails to captivate. Get ready to dive into these chilling tales and uncover cultural nuances that make them fascinating.
Having called Kobe home since 2007, I've traversed the streets of Kyoto and Osaka countless times, uncovering hidden gems and local treasures along the way. Each city boasts its own distinct charm, from architecture to music to cuisine, just waiting to be explored. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life or the road less traveled, I'll be your guide to the best of what my adopted home has to offer.
I may not be a jack of all trades, but I've worn many hats in my time - from barista to scuba diver to Federal officer. In 2006, I added part-time university/corporate English teacher to the list, and in 2014, I ventured into the world of comedy hypnosis shows. With a knack for entertaining crowds of all sizes, I've hypnotized audiences as large as 6,000 people, with up to 40 volunteers on stage at once.
Specialization... Me? Well, I now specialize in offering local walking tours that are both fun and educational. While I'm happy to give recommendations and suggestions, I'm not really into planning multi-day tours. My main focus is on creating unforgettable moments through one-day tours that I design myself.
When exploring historical areas, I like to share my personal perspective. Instead of just reciting facts (better left to licensed historical tour guides), I aim to provide a more personalized and engaging experience.
ABOUT MY TOURS
1) I don't plan lengthy or multi-day tours. If you're looking for those, I recommend checking with other guides. I prefer to focus on creating unique, short tours of the quirky, off-the-beaten-path spots that I love and know well.
2) I don't do tours that rely on cars or taxis. My tours revolve around walking and using public transportation. Parking can be a nightmare here, and sometimes it's faster to walk or take a train than to drive. Japan has amazing transportation options like trains, subways, taxis, buses, ropeways, cable cars, and trams. I actually gave up my license years ago!
3) My tours don't follow a strict itinerary. I don't plan every minute in advance. The tour descriptions are just a rough guide. Since I'm a local, we'll chat and figure out our plan when we meet. I might change things up as we go along, especially if places unexpectedly close or if there are transportation delays. If that happens, we'll find something else fun to do instead.
4) Have a big group or special requests? Other than the things I mentioned above, let's make it happen. I can create custom tours for you at no extra cost. Or, you can always check out my Free Tours.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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Private Guide (me!)
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Pickup and drop-off on foot
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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I suggest a total of at least 3000 yen cash per person for incidental expenses. These may include:
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You are responsible for covering your personal expenses like drinks, snacks, and meals. (You don't need to pay for mine.)
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Entry to certain shrines, temples, gardens, museums. Such fees are usually small, but note that Osaka Castle tower entry is 2000 yen, and Sky Building's rooftop viewpoint is now also 2000 yen
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Transportation: Walking or Train/Bus/Subway (not included) You MAY use your own IC Cards (Suica/Icoca/Pitapa) for transit. If you don't have one, I loan IC cards to cover in-city transit. The cost is ¥2,500 per card, available on-the-spot to anyone interested. Please help me retrieve all cards after your tour
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Good idea to bring change/small bills to use in vending machines to buy drinks. There will be convenience stores, and may be souvenir shops on the road
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Shrines and some small shops still only take Japanese cash. Big shops and markets take credit cards and often many other payment methods as well
SPECIAL REQUESTS AND CUSTOM TOURS
Special requests and new ideas inspire me to create future tours for others. Japanese food, culture, architecture or history—What interests you most? Talk to me about your idea! Your ideas help my business, whether or not I end up giving you a tour.