The Backstreet Guides

07/05/2026

The sun is out, and the matcha ice cream is cooling us down! 🍦

Japan is officially warming up. Whether you're exploring the neon streets of Tokyo or the ancient temples of Kyoto, our guides always know where to find the perfect refreshing treats!

Ready to explore Japan your way? Build your own custom private tour below:

🏙️ Tokyo Custom Tours: https://thebackstreetguides.com/tours/tokyo-custom-tours/
⛩️ Kyoto Custom Tours: https://thebackstreetguides.com/tours/kyoto-custom-tours/

26/04/2026

Thinking of visiting Kamakura but want to skip the usual crowds? 🌊⛩️

This week, we hosted a private tour for clients who had already seen the big sights and wanted something alternative. We spent a perfect day exploring the hidden corners of Hayama and enjoying a delicious lunch with a stunning ocean view.

With a private car, professional driver, and expert guide, it was the ultimate stress-free way to discover the coast! 🚗✨

Check out our Kamakura tour here:
👉 https://thebackstreetguides.com/tours/kamakura-private-tour/

05/04/2026

For over a decade, we’ve loved sharing the hidden corners of Tokyo and Kyoto with you on our day tours.

But when our team travels in our own spare time, we tend to leave the city behind and head into the mountains and quieter rural prefectures. We have always wanted to create a way to take you to these places with us.

That’s why we’ve started 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐢 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬!

We are taking the exact same approach we use for our city walks-small groups, local connections, and a relaxed pace-and applying it to 4-day journeys into the countryside.

Our first trip is scheduled for November 2026. To keep things flexible and ensure we don't feel like a big tour group (and to fit on those narrow mountain roads!), we are strictly limiting it to 12 guests.

If you are planning a trip to Japan and want to see the side of the country we visit when we travel for ourselves, we'd love to have you along.

You can see the full itinerary and all the booking details over on our new site: https://www.tabitrails.com/

Discover Japan’s hidden gems with licensed, English-speaking private guides. Custom Tokyo & Kyoto tours tailored to you. Book your 2026 adventure today!

06/03/2026

🍣 Tokyo on a Plate

From the Tsukiji stalls to your private table. Nothing beats a mid-tour sushi break when you’re doing Tokyo the right way!

Freshly caught.

Expertly sliced.

Privately hosted.

Just you, your guide, and the best omakase in the city. This isn't just lunch; it’s the highlight of the trip. 🇯🇵🥢

27/02/2026

🦌 When in Nara, the deer are definitely the bosses! ⛩️

Ever wanted to visit Nara but weren't sure how to get there? We make it easy! Skip the train-map stress and join us for a private guided day trip directly from Kyoto.

Our expert guides handle all the logistics and history, leaving you with the most important job: handing out the deer biscuits! (Just remember to bow—they expect good manners!)

Click the link in our bio to book your private Nara experience. 🇯🇵

14/02/2026

teamLab Planets is one of the most requested stops on our private tours. It’s a world where you walk through water, get lost in a universe of crystals, and wander through floating orchid gardens. It’s breathtaking, slightly trippy, and 100% worth the hype!

The challenge? Navigating the crowds and public transport to get out to Toyosu can be a bit of a headache.

That’s where we come in. We take the logistics off your plate so you can stay in the vacation zone!

Contact us through our Tokyo custom tours page to plan your adventure. ✨
https://thebackstreetguides.com/tours/tokyo-custom-tours/

07/02/2026

Tired of following a flag in a big tour group? It’s time to take control of your Kyoto itinerary!

With a Backstreet Guides Custom Tour, you get your own local expert to lead you through the Golden Pavilion, Gion, or wherever your heart desires—at your own pace.

📍 Flexible itineraries 📍 Private groups (Up to 10 people) 📍 Expert English-speaking guides 📍 Optional private transport available

Book your personalised Kyoto experience today! 👉 https://thebackstreetguides.com/tours/kyoto-custom-tours/

01/02/2026

Never ever going to get tired of this view! Departing from Tokyo Haneda.

21/01/2026

One of our Tokyo tours came across this event in Daikanyama a few days ago.

A project to use food waste as a building material in structures. In this case a tea house. It sheds light on the growing problem of food waste in both developed and developing countries.

15/01/2026

One of the more unique additions to our private Hakone tours is a hike along the ancient Tokaido Road. This historic trail served as the main artery of Japan during the Edo period.

Whether you want a leisurely 20-minute stroll through the 400-year-old cedar trees or a longer hike to a traditional teahouse, we customize the pace entirely to you.

Experience the side of Hakone most tourists miss!