Who We Are
At Hinomaru One, we design culturally rich, stress-free private Tokyo tours for first-time and seasoned travelers. The company was founded by Jeff "Satoshi" Matsuda, our Founder and Lead Guide.
Our tours are curated by a team with advanced degrees and specialized training in Japanese history, philosophy, and architecture. They are delivered by guides who bring Tokyo's sites to life with historical context, personal stories, and moments of reflection.
What We Do
We run private tours in Tokyo. Every tour is for your group only, never shared with strangers, and is shaped around your pace and interests, whether it's your first time in Japan or your fifth. From must-see sites to quiet local neighborhoods, we help you see Tokyo with clarity, comfort, and a local's perspective.
You can start from one of our signature tours or from a tour built around an interest or occasion in our private tours collection.
How Our Tours Work
- Booking: you book online and your tour is confirmed immediately, with no waiting for a guide to be matched.
- Planning: your consultation starts within 24-48 hours of booking, with one concierge team as your point of contact.
- Cancellation: cancel 24 hours or more before your tour starts for a full refund.
- Weather: tours go ahead in rain. We cancel only for typhoon warnings or extreme-weather advisories issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The full rules, with real scenarios, are on our tour policies page.
Our Guides
Every guide is handpicked for deep local knowledge and clear English. Our guides are not National Government Licensed Guide Interpreters. Japan has not required that licence for paid guiding since 2018, and we choose guides for the things the exam does not test: how they communicate, tell a story, and adapt the day to you. Our guide on licensed and unlicensed tour guides in Tokyo explains what the licence does and does not cover.
Get in Touch
Email service@hinomaru.one, or see every way to reach us on our contact page.