日本語は下に：
When you’re traveling to Japan not just to see, but to understand – the people, the daily life, the history, and the culture – choosing the right guide makes all the difference.
Many of my guests find me through social media, and often check out my blog to see what kinds of tours I offer. So if that’s you — welcome! Let me show you exactly how I create each journey.
Every Tour Starts with You
Each experience is custom-designed based on your interests.
Before the tour, I ask what kind of travel you enjoy and what you’d like to see. But it doesn’t stop there — I keep listening on the day itself. Often, guests mention things they love during our conversations that didn’t come up in our earlier messages.
And when that happens? I adjust the plan in real time — because that’s what having a personal guide is all about.
Yes, you can copy this flow exactly if you’re planning your Tokyo day. But when you’re with me, the day is alive — and built around you.
Example: A Cultural & Local Food Day in Tokyo for a Family
Here’s a very recent example from a family I guided. They were professionals in IT, cosmetics marketing, and medicine, and wanted to learn about real Japanese culture while avoiding overly touristy spots. They also had allergies (dairy and tomato), so I carefully planned safe meals for them.
Here’s how the day went:
🏨 9:00 AM – Meet at Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku
Warm welcome and a short briefing about the day!
🗼 9:20 AM – Shibuya Crossing & Purikura Fun& Don Quijote
We explored the iconic Shibuya crossing, then walked through the lively Center Gai and Don Quijote. I shared stories about the area’s tech culture, since I used to work in IT myself. Also we walked through 109, I shared how Shibuya has been the center of teenage culture. We even tried purikura at a Taito station, which sparked great conversation about gaming differences between Japan and the US.
👟 10:30 AM – Harajuku: Kawaii Culture & Sneaker Shopping
The guests were excited to visit Harajuku first, so we adapted the plan. We wandered down Takeshita Street, discovering a dog fashion shop (they love dogs!) and trying strawberry candies and crepes.
Later, we explored quieter “Urahara” streets and visited several local sneaker boutiques. One of the guests bought a pair on the spot!
🍵 12:00 PM – The Matcha Surprise
We stopped by The Matcha Tokyo — surprisingly empty on a Monday morning! Perfect timing for a quiet break with premium matcha lattes.
⛩️ 12:45 PM – Meiji Shrine
In the forested calm of Meiji Shrine, I explained the shrine’s connection to Emperor Meiji, and we talked about Japan’s historical shifts during the Meiji era. A perfect moment of reflection.
🍜 13:30 PM – Lunch in a Local Neighborhood
Because they mentioned an interest in daily life and local foods, we took a lovely walk from Sangubashi to Yoyogi Park Station.
Lunch was at a small soba restaurant where locals eat. The guests tried nametake soba, negitoro don, and even Japanese sake! They were surprised to learn soba restaurants double as izakaya at night.
They even saw natto for the first time — and I had a negitoro-natto combo myself!
🌿 Coffee at Yoyogi park
🚉 14:30 PM – Back to Shinjuku
On our way back, we passed through the depachika (Japanese department store basement food market) — a fascinating space full of Japanese delicacies.
🍶 14:45 PM – Omoide Yokocho: Post-War Nostalgia
Our final stop was Omoide Yokocho, a tiny alley of izakaya bars that began right after WWII. I shared its history and recommended a few allergy-friendly spots they could return to at night.
Why Guests Love This Experience
✨ Flexible & Personal: I adjust as we go, based on their reactions and interests.
🍱 Local Food You Can Trust: I take allergies seriously — and help you try delicious, authentic food safely.
🧠 Cultural Depth: I share historical and social context — from Shinto rituals to fashion tribes, and even IT history.
🛍️ Shopping With Insight: Whether it’s sneakers, vintage goods, or dog clothes, I’ll guide you to hidden gems that reflect your tastes.
What the guests told me:
They went on their adventures in Tokyo. What a memorable first Tokyo day!
The lovely guests left me some heartwarming words::
Soba was VERY good. We loved the neighboorhood!
We will introduce you to our friends!
And what made me happiest was the message they sent me after returning to California, full of photos and beautiful memories.
Thank you, Mr.K family!
Planning Your Own Trip?
If this sounds like your kind of experience, feel free to copy the itinerary above — or better yet, reach out and let me create one just for you. Like I said, I was brought up in Tokyo so I have lots of my “favorite hidden gems”. I can customize it for you.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or in a group of professionals like this one, I’ll make sure your time in Japan is meaningful, personalized, and unforgettable.
📩 Ready to design your Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura day?
📸 Or follow more adventures on Instagram @travelwithkids_ami , YouTube Ami from Japan
If we have not met- Hi, nice to meet you!
I’m Ami, a nationally certified interpreter-guide by Japan’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. I travel up to 100 days a year with my 3- and 1-year-old kids, while guiding high-end private tours for inbound luxury travelers.
My husband is from the U.S., and we also spend 2–3 months each year in our home in Seattle.
With my background in the international IT corporate world and experience traveling abroad for 1–3 months with small children, I now offer private family tours for affluent international guests visiting Japan. I also support business travelers with VIP-level arrangements.
You can see some (though not all) of my past tour activities here—feel free to take a look!
今回は以前のゲストからのご紹介。とても嬉しいです！
事前メッセージで何を見たいかどんな旅が好きかを聞き、工程を決めます。初めての日本なのでベーシックな場所に行きたいとのことで、原宿や築地市場などを希望されました。
実際当日朝にも移動しながら会話の中から好きなものを再確認します。
そうするとメッセージにはなかった好きなことが出てきたりするので、工程の中で出来るだけそれを交えてお連れします。これがプライベートツアーのいいところ！
例えば今回のお客様は実はスニーカーやショッピングが好き。また食べ物は高級というよりなるべくローカルな街でローカルな人たちが食べてるものを食べたい、ということで、代々木八幡のお蕎麦屋さんにお連れしました。
そこで初めてのネギトロ丼を食べたり、なめこそばを食べて、また日本酒も飲めて大喜び。
また原宿ではいくつか裏原のスニーカーショップにもお立ち寄りになり、ショッピングを楽しまれました。
月曜日だったのでしまっている店もありましたが、逆に普段はとても混む場所が空いててラッキー！
また、実はワンちゃんを飼っていて犬好き等ことがわかり、スヌーピーショップやワンちゃんグッズにも立ち寄りました。（代々木公園のドッグパークにも寄ろうと思ったのですが時間が足りなく今回は諦めました。）
また、私がいない日も東京でスムーズに過ごせるように、たくさんのリクエストに答えて行くべき場所やおすすめのものなどをお伝えしました。
