Yokote Private Vehicle Service with Restaurant Reservation

Discover Yokote City (located in Akita Prefecture) in comfort and style with a private chartered vehicle tour designed just for you. Whether you’re interested in exploring cultural landmarks, browsing vibrant local markets, or venturing off the beaten path, you can create a fully customized itinerary that suits your pace and interests. For added convenience, take advantage of our optional restaurant reservation service (securing a table at a locally recommended dining spot) tailored to your taste.

Highlights

• Private & Stress-Free: Avoid crowded tours and travel in comfort with a dedicated private vehicle and professional driver.
• Multiple Vehicle Options: Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or in a group, we have the perfect vehicle for you.
• Convenient Pickup & Drop-off: Start and end your tour at your preferred pickup location (see the ‘Pickup & Drop-off Locations’ section for more details).
• Restaurant Booking Service: Opt for a hassle-free dining experience (optional) — we’ll reserve a table at a highly recommended restaurant based on your preferences.
• Simple Post-Booking Customization: After booking, we’ll send a form to you within 24 – 48 hours to easily provide your preferences and details.

Tour Duration & Start Time

Choose from the following durations (you may specify on the form after booking and select the attractions you would like to visit):

• 4 Hours: Visit 2–3 attractions (quick exploration). Recommended start time: 7:00 AM — 2:00 PM.
• 6 Hours: Visit 3–4 attractions (multiple highlights at a relaxed pace). Recommended start time: 7:00 AM — 12:00 PM.
• 8 Hours: Visit 4–5 attractions (well-balanced tour with extra stops). Recommended start time: 7:00 AM — 10:00 AM.

Pickup & Drop-off Locations

Specify your preferred pickup location in the form, and we’ll confirm availability and if any additional charges is applicable. 

• Hotels in Yokote or nearby areas
• Custom locations (e.g., airport pickup) available upon request (additional cost may apply)

Customize Your Tour Preferences

When you receive the form after booking, please provide your group size, luggage, dining, location, and attraction preferences, ensuring a tailored tour experience. Based on your input, we’ll:

• Assign a vehicle suitable for your group size and luggage needs.
• Plan your itinerary based on your chosen attractions in the city (the tailored itinerary will be provided to you at least 5 – 7 days before your tour date). You can refer to the map below for inspiration on the attractions to visit.
• If you choose to include dining in your tour (optional), we’ll share a list of iconic dishes in this city for you to select 2–3 options and indicate your preferred budget. Based on your choices, we’ll reserve a table at a highly recommended local restaurant conveniently located along your tour route.

Estimated Luggage Capacity by Vehicle

Luggage capacity varies by vehicle size, as outlined below. Please note that large luggage refers to any item measuring 75 cm or more in length.

• Sedan (up to 3 passengers): ~2 large luggage pieces
• Minivan (up to 5 passengers): ~2–3 large luggage pieces
• Hiace/Jumbo Van (up to 9 passengers): ~4–5 large luggage pieces
• Microbus (up to 13 passengers): ~6–7 large luggage pieces
• Small Bus (up to 20 passengers): ~10 large luggage pieces
• Medium Bus (up to 30 passengers): ~18 large luggage pieces
• Large Bus (up to 40 passengers): ~35 large luggage pieces

If your group size or luggage exceeds the selected vehicle’s capacity, we’ll contact you to discuss options, such as upgrading to a larger vehicle, which could incur additional charges.

Availability & Confirmation

Vehicle availability varies, especially during peak travel seasons. To ensure the best experience, we recommend booking 3 – 4 weeks in advance for groups of 9 people or fewer, and 5 – 6 weeks in advance for groups of 10 or more people. If your tour includes pickup or drop-off at a port or airport, or falls during peak seasons or special events, we strongly recommend booking at least 2 to 4 months in advance. These arrangements require additional coordination and are subject to higher demand. We’ll confirm availability within a few business days of receiving your request. If your preferred vehicle or time slot is unavailable, we’ll promptly inform you and offer suitable alternatives or a full refund.

Inclusions

• Private vehicle for the selected tour duration
• Professional driver (Japanese-speaking; the driver may not speak English but can communicate via translation apps)
• Pickup & drop-off at designated locations
• Fuel costs
• Tax, service and handling fees
• Tour Conductor (if required by the transportation company for large group bookings)

Exclusions

• Highway tolls and parking fees (these typically range from ¥2,500 to ¥6,000 in total, depending on the locations visited, and must be paid directly by the customer in cash on the day of the tour)
• Entrance fees to attractions
• Meals and beverages

Important Information

• Vehicle Rules: Eating, drinking, and smoking inside the vehicle are strictly prohibited.
• Contact Information: After booking, we’ll send a form to be filled out so that you may provide your contact details, including email and phone number.
• Driver Information: We’ll share the driver’s name, contact details, and license plate number the day before your tour.
• Meeting Point: Your driver will be waiting at the confirmed pick-up location. If you can’t find them upon arrival, please call the driver’s phone number.
• Passenger Limits: Please note that the driver reserves the right to refuse service if the number of passengers exceeds the number specified in the reservation. In such cases, the booking remains non-refundable.
• Infants and Children: Infants and children are considered one passenger for vehicle capacity purposes and must be counted in the headcount.

Child Safety Requirements

For the safety of young passengers, we highly recommend using a child safety seat for children under 6 years old.

• First Child Seat: Free of charge
• Additional Child Seats: 2,000 JPY per seat
• Space Requirements: Each child seat takes up 1 to 1.5 regular seats, depending on the vehicle type

After booking, you’ll receive a form to provide required details, including child seat requests. We’ll check availability and send an extra invoice if needed.

Tour Conductor for Larger Vehicles (10+ People)

For private vehicle bookings with 10 or more guests (when choosing the Private Vehicle Only option without a Tour Guide add-on), please note that some transportation providers may require a Tour Conductor to be present. If this is the case, we will assign a Tour Conductor at no additional cost. The Tour Conductor is there solely to assist with logistics during the ride and is not a licensed Tour Guide. Please note that they may not be able to communicate in English (or other languages), and may only communicate in Japanese with the driver. If you would like a guided tour experience, please make sure to select the Tour Guide add-on at checkout.

Licensed English-Speaking Tour Guide (Optional Add-on)

Enhance your experience with a licensed tour guide who brings each destination to life through cultural insights, hidden gems, and engaging local stories. This optional service is perfect for guests who want a deeper, more meaningful connection with the places they visit.

If this Add-on option is selected, an English-speaking tour guide will be requested by default (tour guides in other languages may be arranged upon request on the form, subject to availability). To request a tour guide, simply select the Tour Guide add-on at checkout. Please note that there is no need to book a larger vehicle—one seat is already reserved for a Tour Guide or Tour Conductor if required.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 7 days or less before the tour date
• Cancellation fee of 50% is charged if cancelled 14 days or less before the tour date
• Cancellation fee of 25% is charged if cancelled 20 days or less before the tour date

Q&A

How far in advance should I book?

To get your preferred vehicle and time, we recommend booking:

• 3–4 weeks in advance for groups of 9 or fewer
• 5–6 weeks in advance for groups of 10 or more

If your tour includes pickup or drop-off at a port or airport, or falls during peak travel seasons or major events, it’s best to book 2 to 4 months in advance, as these dates fill up quickly and need extra planning.

We’ll confirm your booking within a few business days. If your preferred option isn’t available, we’ll let you know and offer other choices or a full refund.

Looking for a tour in a different city?

Japan Awaits is a licensed tour operator in Japan, with hundreds of registered and vetted tour guides nationwide. We offer tours in any location in Japan and manage all details, including transportation and tickets. Contact us and inquire about a custom experience today.