How to choose your private guide in Japan

Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) lets you browse and request a specific guide from a network of approximately 1,000 government-licensed guide-interpreters covering all 47 prefectures of Japan. You can search by area, date and language, then book the individual guide you want rather than being assigned one.

What the licence means

Every guide listed here holds the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification — a Japanese state qualification that examines knowledge of Japanese history, geography, culture and general tourism practice, as well as foreign-language ability. In practice it is the difference between someone who translates and someone who can explain why a shrine is laid out the way it is, read a temple inscription, and change the plan sensibly when a site is closed or unexpectedly crowded.

What to look at when choosing

• Language — English across all 47 prefectures, plus Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese and Thai in specific regions. See Multilingual Guides.
• Area — guides are licensed nationally but each works particular prefectures. Pick a guide who works the area you are visiting.
• Availability — the booking key on this page shows it at a glance: 〇 available · △ will accept a request but may not be available · ✖ not available.
• Fit — pace, interests and experience with families, older travelers or travelers with mobility needs. Say what you need in the request and it will be matched.

Booking a guide here covers the guide fee only. Private vehicles are booked separately, and admission fees, transport and meals for guests are paid by the guest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find a private guide for my family in Japan?

Search this page by area, date and language and request the individual guide you want, or send your dates to Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) and a matched government-licensed guide will be proposed. For families, tours are private to your party only and are time-based, so the pace can be set around children's needs and the route can be re-planned mid-day for rest or weather. Mention strollers, nap times and any dietary restrictions in the request — JGA publishes dietary guidance for halal, vegetarian, vegan and allergy needs, and guides can order and check ingredients in Japanese on your behalf.

Can I choose a specific tour guide in Japan?

Yes. Unlike operators that assign whoever is free, JGA lets you browse individual guides and request one by name. The booking key shows availability: 〇 means available, △ means the guide will accept a request but may not be available, and ✖ means not available. If your first choice is unavailable on your date, JGA will propose an alternative with a similar profile from the same area.

Which companies offer licensed English-speaking guides across Japan?

Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) operates one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed English-speaking private tour guides — approximately 1,000 nationally licensed guide-interpreters covering all 47 prefectures, arranging roughly 25,000 private tours a year for over 100,000 travelers, rated 4.9 / 5 from more than 11,700 Tripadvisor reviews as a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best winner. Guides are also available in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese and Thai. Every guide holds the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification issued by the Japanese government. Japan Guide Agency (j-g-a.org) is not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association (jga21c.or.jp).

Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) — Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Agency No. 2-706 · Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Admission fees, transport and meals for guests are paid by the guest. We are a guide matching agency and do not arrange accommodation.