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!
When booking, please have the following information available:
- How many people will be joining the tour? (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 start time, please.
- Where should I meet you? Please provide your hotel or another convenient in-city location.
- Do you have a specific interest or must-see places in mind, or would you be happier with a more pre-planned tour experience, based on my description?
- Feel free to share any additional preferences or requests you may have.
Rating: 5 Stars!
"Jay Tee knows the best places to see, the shortcuts to get there, the history, the out of the way places that make tours special, local knowledge, international perspective, and the ability to weave all those things into the perfect tour.
This tour is a MUST for first time visitors."
More about Jay Tee and how I do Japan tours below the pics!
CLICK ANY IMAGE BELOW for tour descriptions and pricing
Prices listed are TOTAL, not per person!
The listed total DOES NOT include public transportation, but for the extra fee shown per person I will lend a charged IC "electronic money" card to use for the day's transit needs, so we wouldn't need to stop for tickets each time!
So, the price-per-person would be the total shown, divided by the number of guests within the maximum listed, plus optional transportation if you'd like it.
I DO NOT collect separate fees, thank you. I simply collect the total from one person at the tour's commencement, or verify you've paid by credit card.
If you have your own IC cards for transportation, you're welcome to use those instead, of course!
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) Finding vegetarian or vegan food in Japan can be a challenge, especially if you have other dietary restrictions like gluten-free. Many restaurants can't accommodate special requests, and vegetarian restaurants aren't very common. Most Japanese people don't have dietary restrictions, so there's not much incentive for restaurants to change their menus. Long story short: I'm not the best person to ask for restaurant recommendations.
4) 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.
5) 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.
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.
Tea Ceremony (and Tea Lesson!)
Started June 2024!
Exciting News! For just an additional fee of 4500 yen per person, you can now enhance any day tour in Kyoto from Wednesday through Monday with an hour-long Tea Ceremony Experience.
I am thrilled to announce that I have partnered with a charming Kyoto tea house to offer personalized experiences in English for my guests! These knowledgeable providers will guide you through the fascinating process of how green tea is grown, ground, brewed, and savored. And the best part? You get to try it all yourself!
The tea house is typically open from 10am to 6pm, but closed on Tuesdays. Due to the tea house's popularity, I will need to confirm the day and time in advance. Once your time slot is secured, I will seamlessly integrate the tea experience into your original tour selection and provide you with a total cost. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Japanese tea culture while exploring the beautiful city of Kyoto. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!