LUMA Path / Service 03

Japan with a local who spent nine years in Australia

Private tours in English for your group of up to six, in 16 areas from Asakusa to Dazaifu and Sapporo. We travel by train, bus and on foot, at a pace that suits you.

For you

A private guide for your days in Japan

These tours suit you if:

  • It's your first trip to Japan.
  • You're travelling with children or parents.
  • You have a few hours before or after a flight.
  • Someone in Japan is booking the tour for you.
  • You'd like to see more than Tokyo.
Sho, your guide

Your guide

I'm Sho, and I'll be your guide

I guide one group at a time, in English or Japanese. I've been to every area on this page. I have food allergies myself, so I check our food stops with the restaurants before the day.

  • Nine years in Brisbane (Jan 2011 to Mar 2020)
  • Based in Yokohama
  • Photographing planes since 2009
Read my story

In January 2011, in my last year of junior high, I left Japan for Brisbane. I stayed until I'd finished university in March 2020. That's nine years of Australian school, uni and part-time jobs.

I speak English and Japanese without any trouble, and I don't get shy around people from other cultures. What I care about most on the day is simple: that you're having a good time.

Since moving back to Japan in 2020, photography has taken me to airports and towns all over the country.

I have a serious kiwi fruit allergy (anaphylaxis) and react to some fruit in the rose family. If there's anything you can't eat, tell me when you first get in touch.

Areas

Where I can take you

Each area has its own page with sample routes for every tour length.

Ask me about other areas.

Length

Choose how long you'd like

Every tour is private, for one group of up to six people.

01

Half day (3 to 4 hours)

One town at an easy pace, or two places close together.

02

Full day (7 to 8 hours)

A day trip out of the city, to places like Kamakura or Hakone.

03

Two days

Somewhere worth staying over, like Kyoto, or a pair such as Atami and Hakone.

Please note

How the day works

I look after the day itself. Train tickets, hotels and any entry tickets you want to book ahead are yours to arrange. I'll tell you exactly where and when to meet me.

We get around by train, bus and on foot, the same way people here do. I don't drive guests, and I'll show you how the ticket machines work as we go.

Pricing

Quotes in six currencies

Quotes are provided in USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, GBP or EUR, so you can skip the hassle of currency conversion. Other currencies are quoted in USD. Each quote covers your whole group of up to six people. When you send an enquiry, please include your preferred dates and the kinds of experiences you'd like.

How it works

From first message to the day itself

01
Step 01

Get in touch

Tell me your dates, how many of you there are, where you'd like to go and anything you can't eat.

02
Step 02

Route and quote

I'll send a route for the day and a quote for your group.

03
Step 03

Confirm

If it all looks right, we lock in the date.

04
Step 04

On the day

I meet you at the station we agreed on, and off we go. English by default, Japanese if you prefer.

Free quote

Tell me when you're coming

You don't need a fixed plan yet. Your dates and group size are enough for me to put together a route and a quote.

Ask for a free quote →
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