The Historic Rise of Shinjuku
Once a humble post town named Naitō Shinjuku, this area's destiny changed after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Its stable ground made it a prime location for redevelopment, sparking its rise into a major hub.
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
Always private. It's just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
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Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"Kennedy is a great person. She helped our family very well in feeling welcome and up-amd-running in the impressive city Tokyo. Especially her help with let all our traintickets printed, Suica cards and how the public transport works was really supportive. Her general advises on the way it works in Japan and some nice hotspots and restaurants was very usefull. Don’t hesitate, book a guided tour with Kennedy and you will get more value and calmness in jour Japan / Tokyo experience!"
"Dear Gerald, thank you for all your help and good advice. Your flexibility when we arrived later in Tokyo and making our frist time visit to Tokyo a pleasant one. Greetings, Angelique and family. "
"We had an absolutely amazing time exploring Tokyo thanks to our incredible guide Abu! From the moment we met, he made the entire experience fun, engaging, and completely stress-free. He took us through such a great mix of iconic and unique spots — from the excitement of Godzilla Street and the buzz of the red-light district, to the stunning world’s only 3D billboard. We also got to experience the beauty and culture of Senso-ji Temple, wander through Shinjuku and Asakusa, and take in the views around Sumida and the Tokyo Skytree. It felt like we saw every side of Tokyo in one perfectly planned tour. What really stood out was how thoughtful and attentive he was. He made sure we were comfortable the entire time and shared interesting insights along the way that we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. And on top of that, he took so many fantastic photos of us at all the best spots — we now have incredible memories captured forever. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Tokyo. It truly made our trip unforgettable!"
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Tokyo with locals








Our locals will give you the best experiences that Tokyo has to offer


Dive into the neon-lit wonderland of Shinjuku, Tokyo's vibrant soul. From towering skyscrapers to hidden alleys, a private Shinjuku tour with a local guide is the best way to uncover its secrets.
Once a humble post town named Naitō Shinjuku, this area's destiny changed after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Its stable ground made it a prime location for redevelopment, sparking its rise into a major hub.
Escape the urban rush in the stunning Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This cultural treasure blends English, French, and Japanese traditional garden styles, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.
Step back in time in Omoide Yokocho, or 'Memory Lane.' This network of narrow alleys is packed with tiny eateries serving delicious yakitori. It's an authentic taste of local Shinjuku food culture.
For breathtaking panoramic views of Tokyo, head to the free observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Seeing the city sprawl from the heart of the Shinjuku skyscraper district is unforgettable.
Explore the unique nightlife of Shinjuku in Golden Gai, an area famed for its six narrow alleyways filled with tiny, characterful bars. Let a local show you the best spots in this atmospheric labyrinth.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Don't just see Shinjuku, experience it! Your private local guide is waiting to show you the hidden gems behind the bright lights. Book your personalized Shinjuku tour now and create memories that will last a lifetime.
"Thank you so much Gerald for a great first day in Tokyo! Gerald was great, pivoting our meeting place right from the get go and finding us when we got lost. He showed us around a number of great places to eat and shop, even visiting a temple and ticking off some tourist sights along the way. He thoughtfully catered to our child’s interests, and was fun and easy to chat to. We departed after just a couple of hours with a confident list of places to visit and eat at for the week ahead. We took photos and dropped pins in Google Maps so we knew where we wanted to head back to. Just what we needed in such an overwhelmingly awesome city! "
"Had an amazing time exploring the rain-slicked streets and back-alleys of nighttime Shinjuku with Gerald. Super friendly, knowledgable, and funny! Was like spending 2 hours with an old friend I hadn't seen in a minute. Will definitely be booking him again the next time I'm in Tokyo, which is hopefully very soon. Highly recommended!"
"Great tour with Abu. Super friendly and knowledgable guide. Started off in Shinjuku, but decided to change plans on a whim and jumped on a train to Asakusa, which I'd never been to. At the end of the tour he made sure I got back to my hotel and also took some great photos along the way. Highly recommended! "
"Great experience visiting Shinjuku, the Meiji Jingu temple and Shibuya areas. Abu is well versed in Japanese culture, history and traditions. He’s also an excellent photographer. I highly recommend taking a tour with him!"
"Abu provided a highly personalized, knowledgeable, and friendly experience for our family and friends. Abu's expertise in local culture, history, and food really made for an outstanding evening. More importantly, his flexibility in tailoring the itinerary to our specific interests made all the difference to create an ideal outing and maximizing our little time in Tokyo. Good English. Very recommended experience!"
"I had a great day with Gerald. He was very nice and formerly and showed me around the city the way a friend would. Exactly the experience I wanted. Would recommend him to all my friends. "
"Gerald was probably my favorite tour guide I’ve ever had in my many years of traveling. He walked us through what we were looking for, adjusted a previously planned itinerary based on what we had already seen, and paced the time with us perfectly. He was fantastic at conversation, provided useful local insight, and giving us all the history of the area. He was a native English speaker and super friendly. I’ve already sent him to friends visiting Japan soon. "
The best stories aren't found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Shinjuku with a private, personalized experience led by a local.



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