Guide for Round-trip English
Tour guide with driver and interpreter for round trip through Japan. For small, individual groups with wheelchairs or strollers.
Travel to Japan, an island nation in the Far East. Japan is a country with the world's longest continuous history as a single nation spanning over 2,700 years. Its richly varied seasons and abundant, high-quality ingredients have nurtured a peaceful and safe society. This country is so appealing that about 70% of overseas visitors who come once return soon. However, there is one slight drawback: Japanese is the language most linguistically distant from English in terms of grammar. Despite extensive English education during compulsory schooling, many Japanese can only manage broken English conversation. Even after long flights, when you arrive at Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) Airport and try to take an airport taxi, the language barrier makes communicating with the driver difficult, even in today's internet-connected world. Furthermore, unlike heading to a hotel in central Tokyo, about 60 km from Narita (NRT) Airport, attempting to go directly by taxi or hire car to famous tourist spots in northern Japan or mountainous areas, roughly 200 to 300 km away, is highly likely to be refused by professional drivers from the Tokyo area. They are often unfamiliar with driving on snowy roads in the winter months from December to the end of March.
Even if you are fortunate enough to secure an English-speaking driver, the likelihood of them accompanying you on a long-term tour is virtually nonexistent. Furthermore, even if you manage to secure a tour guide, driver, and interpreter, they will occupy three seats in the vehicle. During the tour, you would also need to secure hotel rooms for three people at each accommodation. Beyond this, we currently lack the capacity to accommodate families with members requiring wheelchairs or baby strollers, or those bringing bulky hobby equipment like ski or snowboards gear. Therefore, our company proposes the following solution.
Our company provides one guide who also serves as a driver and interpreter, offering sightseeing tours in German or English. We can also provide sightseeing tours for trips utilizing public transportation, including the Shinkansen bullet train. Our car tours include driving on snow-covered roads, or you can focus on the sights of Tokyo, or we can also accompany you on a flight to Japan's southern islands. We will meet guests at the airport, accompany them on their tour around Japan, and then return them to the airport. We can flexibly accommodate guests with physical disabilities requiring wheelchairs, families with small children needing baby strollers, and those with large amounts of luggage such as ski or snowboards equipment.
- For groups of 7 passengers or fewer
Transportation will be provided by a Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin (standard seating capacity for 10 passengers, including the driver).
1-1.
Approximately 10 large suitcases (100L capacity) for 6 to 7 passengers (comfortable seating capacity), plus 3 wheelchairs or 3 strollers.
1-2.
Or 8 large suitcases (approx. 100L each, total dimensions under 160cm) for 6 passengers (comfortable capacity) plus ski or snowboard equipment for all passengers.
1-3.
Vehicle rental fee applies separately: ¥30,000 per day (approx. USD189). Includes expressway tolls, gasoline, and full coverage optional insurance for all passengers. Includes studdles tires & spare snow chains.
- For guests with 3 or fewer passengers
2-1.
Three large suitcases (approx. 100L each, total dimensions under 160cm) for 3 passengers (comfortable occupancy) plus one wheelchair.
2-2.
Or one large suitcase (approx. 100L, total dimensions under 160cm) for 3 passengers (comfortable occupancy) plus two strollers.
2-3.
Vehicle rental fees apply separately: ¥6,000 per day (approx. USD38.00). Includes highway tolls, gasoline, and full coverage optional insurance for all passengers. Includes studdles tires and spare snow chains.
- Travel Conditions and Important Notes
3-1.
The daily fee for the tour guide/driver/interpreter is ¥90,000 (approx. USD569). The minimum tour duration is 4 days.
3-2.
Please arrange several 40-minute online meetings via Google Meet or Zoom in German, English, or Japanese before departure to discuss your detailed itinerary. There is no charge for these meetings.
3-3.
Accommodation for the guide must be arranged at your lodging destination during the travel period. However, the cost or hotel grade is not specified.
3-4.
During winter, road closures due to heavy snowfall frequently occur in northern Japan and mountainous regions (Nagano, Hakuba). Travel during snowfall should be scheduled during daylight hours whenever possible, allowing ample time and flexibility.
3-5.
We cannot accommodate individuals with alcohol or drug dependencies, or heavy smokers. Smoking and alcohol consumption are prohibited inside the vehicle.
3-6.
The tour guide cannot provide commentary while driving to ensure safe operation.
3-7.
Any actions violating Japanese law are strictly prohibited.
If you are unable to comply with the rules, we will have to interrupt your trip and return to the company. In such cases, we are unable to provide a refund.
- Payment and Cancellation Policy
4-1.
Reservations are confirmed when we send you an invoice and a 30% deposit of the total amount is transferred to our bank account and confirmed. The balance must be paid within 4 days after the start of the tour within Japan. Cash payments in Euros, Dollars, or Japanese Yen are also accepted.
4-2.
Cancellations made 10 days or less before the departure date will incur a 30% cancellation fee.
4-3.
Should you need to abandon the tour and return home due to unavoidable circumstances such as illness or injury, we will charge 20% of the cost for the remaining days. However, in cases of force majeure such as natural disasters or war, we will refund the full cost for the unused portion of the itinerary.
We sincerely hope your tour of Japan becomes an unforgettable journey. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Company Name Atori Glass Corporation Travel division
Corporate Registration Number T8010602033158
Contact Person Yusaku Hirota
e-mail hirota@jb3.so-net.ne.jp
※ From January 31, 2026, to February 4, 2026, is fully booked.