The Process
Six steps to your perfect trip
01
Search & filter
Pick a city, your preferred language, budget range and travel dates. Our filters match you with guides fluent in your language — not just "speaks some English".
- Filter by 8 languages (Spanish, English, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, Korean)
- Real-time availability — no guesswork
- Price transparency up-front, no hidden fees
Unlike big platforms, we filter by actual language fluency — not just "speaks some English". You can also narrow down by experience level, price range, and specific services (photography tours, night experiences, family-friendly, etc).
02
Review profiles
Browse verified guide profiles with real reviews, top recommended sites, experience level and languages. Every guide holds a valid JNTO license.
- JNTO-licensed verification (we check IDs and credentials)
- 2 top recommended sites per guide — proof they know the area
- Photos of the guide AT real locations, not stock images
Every profile shows verified credentials, actual photos at real locations, and honest reviews from past travelers. Look for the gold "Verified" badge — that means we personally checked their ID, JNTO license, and language fluency.
03
Send a booking request
Select your dates, services and language preference. Submit the request in under 2 minutes. No payment charged yet — the guide reviews and accepts first.
- Guest checkout — no account required
- Typical response: 2 hours average across our network
- No payment until the guide accepts
Your request goes directly to the guide with your trip details. They respond within 2-4 hours on average. You can book as a registered user (get in-app chat + history) or as a guest (just name and email).
04
Pay securely
Once accepted, pay through our secure Stripe checkout. Your dates are locked in. You only get charged the exact amount shown — nothing hidden.
- Stripe Connect — bank-grade security
- 9% platform fee, transparent and itemized
- Instant booking confirmation + calendar sync
All payments flow through Stripe — the same processor Airbnb, Lyft and Shopify use. We never see your card number. Platform fee is a flat 9% on top of the guide's rate, clearly itemized before you pay.
05
Chat + plan together
Use our in-app chat to finalize meeting points, dietary restrictions, pace, must-sees and other details directly with your guide — no lost emails.
- Real-time encrypted messages
- Share photos, PDFs and locations
- All conversation history saved for reference
Real-time chat lets you share dates, locations and photos directly with your guide. Everything stays in one place, translated if needed. The guide knows exactly what you want before day one.
06
Enjoy your perfect day
Meet your guide, explore the city, discover hidden spots, eat incredible food. After the tour, leave a review to help future travelers.
- Flexible meeting points (hotel, station, landmark)
- Your pace, your interests, your language
- 100% refund if cancelled 7+ days before trip
Your guide has been prepping for your specific trip. Expect personal recommendations, hidden local spots, and the warmth of exploring with someone who actually loves showing their city.
Why Private Guides Are Growing
The market you're joining
31M
International visitors to Japan in 2024
68%
Travelers who prefer local guides over group tours
3.2x
Higher satisfaction with language-matched guides
$4B
Private guided tour market in Asia-Pacific
Sources: JNTO 2024 visitor statistics · Travel Satisfaction Index 2024 · Grand View Research APAC
Your Protection
Built-in safeguards at every step
Every guide verified
JNTO license + identity check + language test. We reject 2 out of 3 applicants.
Payments secured by Stripe
Same processor as Airbnb. Full fraud protection. No card data stored by us.
Cancellation protection
Full refund 7+ days before, partial refund 3-7 days, case-by-case for emergencies.
< 2h support
Real humans reply in Spanish, English and French. Monday–Saturday, 8am–8pm JST.
Fair dispute resolution
If something goes wrong during the tour, our support team mediates. Your voice is heard.
Privacy first
Your data never gets sold. We comply with GDPR and Japanese APPI regulations.
Common Questions
Before you book
What if I don't have a Japan-specific account or visa?
You don't need one. Our platform is available to visitors from any country. Just have your passport and you're good to go.
Can I book multiple guides in the same trip?
Absolutely. Many travelers book 1-2 guides per city, or specialized guides for specific days (e.g., a food tour in Osaka, a temple tour in Kyoto). Each booking is independent.
Do guides speak perfect English/Spanish/etc?
We test fluency before onboarding. Every guide in our directory is listed at either "conversational" or "fluent" level per language — the level is shown on their profile.
What happens if I'm late or miss the meeting point?
Guides typically wait up to 30 minutes and offer alternative meeting points via chat. For no-shows, our cancellation policy applies.
Can I tip my guide?
Tips are always appreciated but never expected. Japan traditionally doesn't tip — your guide will not be offended if you don't.
Is there a minimum or maximum group size?
Most guides accept 1-8 people. Larger groups can be arranged case by case. Pricing is usually per day, not per person.