Frequently Asked Questions

Each tour is a little different.Our walking tours usually run for 2 hours and cover roughly 2 to 3 kilometres at a relaxed pace. We keep things easy-going with plenty of stops for stories, photos, toilet and drinks breaks.Our Tsukiji Food Tour runs for 3 hours and involves light walking around the market with lots of food stops throughout.Our Outdoor & Adventure experiences are fully customised. The duration, distance, elevation gain, and overall difficulty will vary depending on the type of adventure you'd like to do. Before booking, we'll chat through your interests, fitness level, and expectations to create an experience that's tailored to you and ensure you know exactly what to expect.Our private tours are completely flexible and can range from a half-day experience (around 5 hours) through to a full-day experience (up to 10 hours), depending on your interests and itinerary.You definitely don't need to be an athlete to enjoy our walking, food, or private tours!

Comfort is key.We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and dressing appropriately for the weather.Please bring:• A bottle of water• Sun protection during warmer months• An umbrella or rain jacket if rain is forecast• A small backpack for your personal belongings if you'd likeIf you're joining a private tour, it's also a good idea to bring your Suica, Pasmo, or other IC card (or cash) for public transport and any personal purchases.Outdoor & Adventure experiences have their own recommended packing list, which will be provided before your experience.

Yes, absolutely.Our tours operate rain or shine. A little rain is all part of the adventure and daily life in Japan.If the weather becomes genuinely unsafe, we'll always put your safety first and contact you as early as possible to discuss alternative options.

If we decide to cancel due to unsafe weather or circumstances beyond our control, we'll let you know as soon as possible and offer either:• A full refund (minus any processing fees), or• The opportunity to reschedule your tour.Where severe weather is forecast, Welcome to Japan will always do its best to contact guests well in advance rather than cancelling at the last minute.If it's simply raining, the tour will still go ahead, so please come prepared.

We totally understand that travel plans can get hectic, but unfortunately, we can't hold up the group once the tour begins.If you arrive more than five minutes late, we'll need to start without you out of respect for the other guests and the tour schedule.Alex will always do his best to wait where possible, but there will come a point where the tour simply needs to begin so everyone can enjoy the experience as planned.As missed tours cannot be refunded, we strongly recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to allow for any unexpected delays.

No problem - life happens!If you cancel:• 7 or more days before your tour, you'll receive a full refund (minus processing fees).• 3 to 6 days before your tour, you'll receive a 50% refund.• Within 48 hours of your tour, unfortunately no refund can be given.If you'd like to reschedule, simply email us at info@welcometojpn.com at least seven days before your tour and we'll do our best to move your booking, subject to availability.

Our tours are relaxed, friendly, and we welcome guests of all ages.However, some experiences involve walking, stairs, uneven pathways, crowded areas, public transport, or standing for extended periods.If you or somebody in your group has limited mobility or any concerns, please contact us before booking and we'll happily discuss whether a particular tour is suitable.

We intentionally keep our tours small and personal.Our walking tours have a maximum group size of 15 guests, although most tours are significantly smaller.Our Tsukiji Food Tour has a maximum of 8 guests to keep the experience relaxed and enjoyable.Our Outdoor & Adventure experiences are generally exclusively for your own group, although this may vary depending on the activity.Private tours are exclusively for your own group.

All payments are made securely online when you book.Once payment has been completed, you'll receive a confirmation email straight away.There's no need to print anything. Simply arrive at the meeting point and we'll be ready to welcome you.

All of our tours are currently conducted in English.We may occasionally offer bilingual or Japanese-language experiences in the future, so keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

Of course!You're more than welcome (and encouraged) to take photos and videos throughout your experience.If you'd prefer not to appear in any photos or videos taken by Welcome to Japan, simply let your guide know before the tour begins.

Absolutely.I'm always happy to take photos throughout the tour using your phone or camera.Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, with family, or with friends, I know how important it is to actually be in your travel photos rather than always being the one taking them.Consider me your unofficial tour guide, storyteller, and personal photographer for the day.

Tips aren't included, but they're always appreciated if you enjoyed your experience.That said, the best tip you can give is a smile and a kind review afterwards!

Absolutely.Many guests join on their own and end up meeting other travellers and making friends along the way.

Yes.If you're travelling with luggage, there are usually coin lockers available at major train stations throughout Tokyo.For private tours, we may also be able to tailor the itinerary around your hotel or accommodation, depending on the day's plans.If you're unsure, simply contact us before your tour and we'll happily recommend the best option.

Bookings generally remain available until two hours before the tour starts, subject to availability.If you're making a last-minute booking, we recommend securing your place as early as possible.

We collect a small amount of anonymous demographic information to help us better understand the travellers joining our tours.Questions such as age range, country of residence, travel style, interests, budget category, and how you discovered Welcome to Japan help us improve our experiences, create better content, and continue building tours that people genuinely enjoy.This information is used for research and business improvement purposes only and is never used to personally identify you.

That's easy.Welcome to Japan isn't about rushing between landmarks or memorising dates from a history book.It's about stories, culture, food, conversations, local insights, and helping you feel comfortable exploring Japan with someone who genuinely loves sharing it with others.Whether we're wandering through Yanaka, exploring Asakusa, eating our way through Tsukiji, hiking in the mountains, or building a completely personalised private itinerary together, the goal is always the same:To help you experience Japan in a way that feels personal, authentic, relaxed, and memorable.Think of it less like joining a tour and more like exploring Japan with a knowledgeable local friend.

You can reach us anytime via the contact form on our website or by emailing info@welcometojpn.comWhether it's a quick question before your trip, a change to your booking, or feedback after your experience, we're always happy to hear from you.