Your local friend for a day in Tokyo
Japanese university students walk the city with you — the trains, the ramen ticket machines, the places guidebooks miss. We plan the day together on a video call before you land.
- Before your tripVideo call to plan the day together
- 10:00Meet in your hotel lobby
- 10:30Shibuya — we show you how to use the trains and IC cards
- 12:00Lunch at a local ramen shop we actually eat at
- 13:00Back streets of Harajuku and vintage shops
- 14:00Say goodbye — with tips for the rest of your trip
Every route is planned around what you want to see.
How it works
From your first message to the end of the day.
Send a request
Choose a plan and tell us your date, group size and what you'd like to do.
Confirm and pay
We check our availability within 24 hours and send you a secure Stripe payment link.
Plan on a call
Before your trip, we meet on a video call and build your route together.
Explore together
We meet you at your hotel lobby and spend the day as your local buddy.
We meet you before you meet Tokyo
Every plan includes a video call before your trip. You arrive in Tokyo with a plan and someone you already know.
- Tell us what you love — food, anime, fashion, quiet neighborhoods
- Share allergies, dietary needs and how much walking feels right
- Ask anything about Japan before you fly: money, SIM cards, trains
- Meet your buddy, so the first hello in Tokyo isn't with a stranger
Plans and prices
Every tour is private — just your group and your buddy. Prices include the pre-trip video call.
Half-Day Buddy Plan
One or two neighborhoods with help for meals, shopping and photos.
+¥6,000 per extra adult
Anime Pilgrimage Buddy Plan
Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Nakano and more — planned around the series you love.
+¥6,000 per extra adult
Full-Day Buddy Plan
Two or three areas of Tokyo in one day, at your pace.
+¥8,000 per extra adult
VIP Custom Buddy Plan
A fully custom day designed with you on the pre-trip call.
+¥15,000 per extra adult
- Children aged 12 and under: ¥4,000 per child.
- Not included: your own train and bus fares, meals, drinks and admission fees. You pay for these as you go.
- Prices are in Japanese yen and are the total amount you pay.
Good to know
So there are no surprises on the day.
What we do
- Walk with you and help with trains, buses and IC cards
- Help you order at restaurants and explain local manners
- Take you to local spots and take photos for you
- Plan your route with you before your trip
What we don't do
- We do not provide car pick-up or drop-off. We travel on foot and by public transport.
- We do not book hotels, flights or transport for you.
- We are university students, not licensed tour guides or a travel agency.
Questions
Where do we meet?
In the lobby of your hotel. Meeting points are usually hotels inside the Yamanote Line loop or in major areas such as Shibuya and Shinjuku. Any change to the meeting point needs to be agreed at least 24 hours before the tour.
Who are the buddies?
Japanese university students who have studied abroad and love showing visitors the Tokyo they live in.
What's the cancellation policy?
Full refund if you cancel more than 72 hours before the tour. Cancellations within 72 hours and no-shows are not refunded. If we cancel because of severe weather, a natural disaster or illness, you get a full refund.
How do I pay?
After we confirm your date, we send you a secure payment link from Stripe. You can pay by credit card. Your booking is confirmed once payment is complete.
Can I bring children?
Yes. Children aged 12 and under are ¥4,000 each. Tell us their ages in your request so we can plan a route that works for them.
Do I need travel insurance?
We recommend that every guest has their own travel insurance during their stay in Japan.
Request your date
Fill in a short form. We reply within 24 hours.
- Send your request with the form below
- We confirm availability and send a payment link
- We schedule your pre-trip video call
Prefer to chat first? Message us on Instagram @explorebuddytokyo or TikTok @explorebuddytokyo, or email JSProject0619@gmail.com. We'll answer your questions before you book.