Tokyo Free Guide
Tokyo Free Guide
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
TOKYO FREE GUIDE, a nonprofit volunteer guiding service organization, was started in 2004 with the goal of helping overseas visitors experience Japanese culture and local customs. There are over 600 volunteer guide members who speak at least one language besides Japanese. (English, Spanish, Italian, French). Our guides are cheerful and helpful men and women, who are students, homemakers, retirees, office workers, etc. Most of them have lived and/or worked in or around Tokyo for a long time. Some of the guides may know everything about Japanese music, pop culture, anime, or the trendy shops, while others may have an extensive knowledge of Japanese food, history, culture, society, or religion. Our volunteer guides truly enjoy meeting people from different countries and cultures and sharing the fun of discovering Tokyo and its vicinity!
Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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(19 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
202 reviews
Excellent
196
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Patrizia O
Modena, Italy10 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
A heartfelt thanks to Michiko who with her availability and kindness allowed us to face our first day in Tokyo without stress and worries while fully enjoying the beauty of this megalopolis. And after a lot of walking and watching a well-deserved stop to enjoy our first soba on Michiko's advice .. very good!
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the very positive comments regarding your tour with Michiko. We want to make our guests feel at ease as they experience Tokyo for the first time, as well as take them to favorite local dining spots they might otherwise miss. Please come back again.
Written 3 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wheretonextandbeyond
Sydney, Australia115 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We loved this tour! Our guide Eriko was fun, engaging and full of energy! She organised a day that suited our interests and requests
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the positive comments regarding your tour with Eriko. I’m sure she enjoyed spending the day with you and knowing you appreciated the intinerary she organized.
Written 3 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Excursion50553981712
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A fantastic service that creates so much goodwill. A wonderful example of loving kindness and generosity of spirit in action. We had 2 guides and both were wonderful!
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the kind words regarding your experience with Tokyo Free Guide. We strive to promote goodwill and traditional hospitality to our guests, and are happy to know you received both. Please come back again.
Written 3 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tabby
183 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Our guide was Haruko Ota, and she was punctual, hospitable,a nd very knowledgeable about Tokyo. We enjoyed hearing about the customs and meaning behind the symbolisms that we encounter. She even went the extra mile taking us to nearby places that were not originally part of our requested itinerary, including a visit to a lovely viewing deck. She even gave us an assortment of delicious senbei with haikus at the bottom of the packaging.
Thank you very much for touring us and giving as an overview of the Japanese culture!
Thank you very much for touring us and giving as an overview of the Japanese culture!
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the positive comments regarding your tour with Haruko Ota. Seeing Tokyo with a local guide adds new dimensions to the experience, and we are happy to know you also learned about Japanese culture along the way. Please come back again.
Written 17 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan U
Maui, HI2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
My volunteer guide was Kuniko. She was amazing. She arrived 10mins early with print outs for our day and trains to catch. We visited a Buddhist Temple and watched a fire ceremony,visited a garden,Shibuya Crossing, Takeshita St. We had a fabulous day. Thank you so much Kuniko.
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive comments. I’m sure Kuniko will be so happy to know you had a fabulous day touring around Tokyo with her. Please come and visit again
Written 17 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mason S
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Couples
We put in our guide application as early as we could, and we recieved notice that someone would be our guide, right before we boarded the plane to Japan. This kind of threw off our plan for that day, but it was SO WORTH IT. Oh my gosh, our guide Maki was incredible. She worked with us on arranging sights to visit, took us to a lunch spot we wouldn't have found on our own, and even helped us find a local home improvement store to find a specific souvenir for a friend back home. We were with our guide from 1030am to nearly 5pm and saw so many things!
Maki had an excellent understanding of the trains and subway system so we could get between sites efficiently. We saw so much that day and it is one of our favorite parts of the trip. If you can get a free guide, it is so so worth it.
Maki had an excellent understanding of the trains and subway system so we could get between sites efficiently. We saw so much that day and it is one of our favorite parts of the trip. If you can get a free guide, it is so so worth it.
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review of your TFG tour with Maki. I am sure she is so happy to hear that your day with her was "so worth it." Our volunteer guides can help make a tour of Tokyo a memorable experience and it seems yours was just that. Please come back again.
Written 15 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jane2008
Atlanta125 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Our guide was Yuko Tatebe. She came to our hotel on time to meet us (in fact, even earlier than scheduled). We spent a wonderful half day in Asakusa, enjoyed Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Dori, an amazing view from the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, and then took a cruise (water bus) to Hamarikyu Gardens. Thank you, Yuko, for making this day memorable!
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the positive comments about your tour with Yuko Tatebe. All of us at TFG are happy to know you had such a memorable day with her seeing so many sights around Tokyo.
Written 15 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
نوزایی ایرانی I
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
Yoko Kusumoto was very efficient, knowledgable, kind and honest. Her company made our visit double pleasant. I hope we meet her again in Japan.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the comments regarding your guide, Yoko Kusumoto. I’m sure she is so happy you want to meet her again. You must have had a wonderful tour around Tokyo with her. Yes, please come back to Japan again soon.
Written 15 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susie R
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Our guide took us to an area of Tokyo not in our guidebook where we saw a goma fire ritual, visited a fascinating shrine, ate a local speciality before heading off to more familiar sights. Brilliant
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comments. Tokyo has many "hidden gems" waiting to be discovered. We are happy your guide was able to show you a few of them.
Written 9 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fau Dala
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Tokyo free guide experiece was great. Both Mr. Masa and Ms. Mie were great, with a great knowledge of Tokyo and very, very friendly and helpful. i would advice it to everybody. Thank you very much!
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank your your positive review and recommendation of Tokyo Free Guide.
I'm sure Masa and Mie will be happy to know that they helped make your tour experience great. Please come to Tokyo again.
Written 27 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sutendy w
Jakarta, Indonesia68 contributions
How can I book for TFG? Anyone can tell me?
2014Loulou1967
Quebec, Canada14 contributions
Their website tokyofreeguide
maria m
San Jose Department, Uruguay14 contributions
Hola! Quisiera saber cuánto tiempo antes hay que reservar! Gracias por responder.
Tokyo Free Guide
Tokyo, Japan
You can request a guide up to two months in advance of your intended tour date.
FradaTorino
Torino8 contributions
Non riesco a compilare il modulo on line, si blocca nell'inserimento delle date del viaggio.
Bagawath H
Rosny-sous-Bois, France
excuser, moi comment trouve un guide gratuit de quelle façon, on le paye quad même ou comment, merci
PCM199
Sydney, Australia801 contributions
S'il vous plaît aller sur le site Free Guide website, et réservez le guide. Il n'y a aucun frais pour cela, sauf que vous devez supporter les frais de voyage et les frais d'entrée pour le guide.
Quali sono le lingue parlate dalle guide?
claudia988
Giaveno, Italy50 contributions
Dipende dalla guida, sono tutti volontari. Si compila il form di richiesta indicando le lingue che si parlano (io avevo messo italiano e inglese) e viene proposta una guida che le parli. Sicuramente ce n'è più d'una che parla italiano perché è una lingua molto apprezzata dai giapponesi, ma richiedendola in inglese ci sono più possibilità di trovarne una libera!
vitasaskvile
belgrade
can I use TFG for several days, not only for one day?
Tokyo Free Guide
Tokyo, Japan
Yes, you can request not only one day guiding service but also two or more days. However you may not use TFG guides even for one day. Because TFG had more than 13,000 days guiding requests in 2017, which is almost four times of their capacity.
Merrily302
New Orleans, LA83 contributions
What is the an acceptable tip for the Free Guides (assuming they did a thorough job)?
Claire P
Montreal, Canada17 contributions
Generally speaking, Japanese don't accept tips... a good lunch and think about some gift you can bring that is typical from your homeland... they appreaciate that :)