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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

What’s the difference between a Curated Tour and a Customized Tour?

  • Curated Tours are thoughtfully designed experiences that follow a set itinerary, focusing on handpicked locations and food stops. These tours offer an immersive way to explore Tokyo with expert guides, without the need for additional planning. A Shun Tours Certified Guide will conduct the tour.

  • Customized Tours are fully personalized and tailored to your preferences, whether it's specific neighborhoods, food experiences, or cultural interests. Sarah personally plans and conducts the tour to ensure a unique and highly tailored experience.

To view full details, please visit the Our Tours page.

Note: Sarah will be unavailable from March to August 2025. If you're interested in a Customized Tour during this period, please contact us through the inquiry form—depending on availability, Sarah will plan the tour, and a Shun Tours Certified Guide will lead the experience.

HOW DO I BOOK A TOUR?

  • Curated tours: Select your preferred date and time and complete the booking process on our website.

  • Customized tours: Please fill out our inquiry form with your preferences, allowing us to design the ideal itinerary tailored just for you. You can make your request here: Shun Tours Private Tour Booking.

CAN THE TOURS ACCOMODATE SPECIAL DIETARY requirements?

For curated tours, accommodating special dietary requirements can be challenging as the restaurant stops are pre-determined. We recommend booking a private customized tour if you have specific dietary needs. Please note, that while we will do our utmost to meet your dietary needs, depending on the requirements, it may not always be possible to include traditional Japanese cuisine.

what payment methods do you accept?

We accept payments via credit/debit cards and PayPal. Full payment is required to confirm your booking.

How far in advance should I book a tour?

We recommend booking as soon as possible since spots can fill up quickly. However, general guidelines are:

  • Curated Tours: At least 3 days in advance, except for the Secret Izakaya Tour, which requires 1 week in advance to secure the reservation.

  • Customized Tours: At least 2 weeks in advance to allow for proper itinerary planning.

We’ll try our best to accommodate last-minute requests, but please note that guide and activity availability may be limited.

Do tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off?

  • Curated Tours: Hotel pick-up and/or drop-off is available upon request for an additional fee.

  • Secret Izakaya Tour: Hotel pick-up is included. Drop-off is not included, but the guide will assist you on how to get back.

  • Customized Tours: Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included. Please note that the tour time starts at hotel pick-up and ends at hotel drop-off.

Are food, drinks, and activities included in the tour price?

  • Curated Tours: Food and drinks are included in the tour price. Any additional food, drinks, or personal orders beyond what is provided will be at your own expense. Activities, if part of the set itinerary, are also included.

  • Customized Tours: Food, drinks, and activities are not included in the base price. Additionally, we kindly ask guests to cover the cost of food, drinks, and any activity fees for the guide during the tour. Since the itinerary is fully tailored to your preferences, it is difficult to predict the total cost in advance, and we appreciate your understanding.

Are children allowed on the tours?

Yes! Children are welcome on most tours, but there are some exceptions:

  • Curated Tours: Children can join for free if they share food with accompanying adults.

  • Izakaya Tours: Due to Japanese alcohol laws, all participants must be 20 years or older.

  • Customized Tours: We can tailor a tour specifically for families—just let us know your needs when booking! Children under 12 participate for free.

What kind of experience can I request for a Customized Tour?

The itinerary is entirely up to you! In the past, we've arranged customized tours based on customer requests, such as:

  • An izakaya hopping tour, highlighting all the dishes the guest specifically wanted to try

  • A one-day Tokyo highlights tour, covering must-see landmarks efficiently

  • A spouse tour, where a guest's husband was on a business trip, and we explored Tokyo together while he worked

  • A layover tour, making the most of just a few hours in Tokyo

  • A cherry blossom viewing tour, visiting the best seasonal spots

  • A local neighborhood stroll, focusing on quiet, off-the-beaten-path areas
  • A sushi & ramen experience, sampling both iconic dishes for lunch

Whatever your interests, we’ll craft the perfect experience for you—just let us know your preferences, and we’ll take care of the rest!

What happens after booking a private customized tour?

Once you book a private customized tour, Sarah will craft an initial itinerary proposal based on your preferences and send it to you via email. You'll have the opportunity to make adjustments to ensure the itinerary perfectly suits your needs. Once the itinerary is finalized, Sarah will provide a detailed one-pager that outlines all planned activities and experiences for the day. Remember, the tour is completely yours! We're flexible and happy to accommodate slight changes to the itinerary on the day of the tour to better align with your preferences.

EXAMPLE: full-day

Private tour Itinerary for website-1.png

example: half-day

Private tour Itinerary for website-2.png

© 2025 by Shun Tours

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