Why Become a TOMOGO! Tour Leader?
A flexible way to earn and inspire.
Flexible Schedule
Work on your terms, when you want.
Rewarding Pay
Earnings grow with your reputation.*
Enjoy Your City
Rediscover & enjoy your local area.
*60% share + badge system for increasing rewards.
Join TOMOGO! and become part of our community of passionate locals. Work on your terms, share the places and culture you love, and help travelers experience Japan in a unique way.
Turn your knowledge into income by sharing your passion for food, history, nature, or pop culture, and make a real impact while guiding unforgettable tours.
How It Works
1. Sign Up for a Seminar
Join our free seminars to find out what being a TOMOGO! Tour Leader is all about.
2. Download The App & Set Your Availability
Install the app and choose when you’re available. Work on your own schedule.
3. Receive Tour Bookings
Travelers can book you based on your profile, interests, and availability.
4. Guide The Guests
Show travelers your favorite local spots and share your knowledge and passion.
5. Get Paid & Earn Rewards
Receive payments for each tour, plus badges and perks based on your reviews and activity.
What You'll Need
Here’s all it takes to get started on your journey as a tour leader.
Age & Visa Status
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2
You must be legally eligible to work in Japan.
Japanese Bank Account
For receiving payments securely and directly.
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Bilingual Communication
4
Smartphone Required
Comfortably speak both English and Japanese to guide guests.
Use the app to manage your schedule and tours.
Enjoy meeting new people and showing off your local area! (starting with Kanto and Kansai).
Redefining Travel in Japan
Help reshape tourism by guiding travelers off the beaten path and into real local life.
TOMOGO! was created to rethink tourism in Japan. By guiding travelers to lesser-known spots and offering more personal, meaningful tours, you help reduce overcrowding in popular areas while supporting local communities that are often overlooked.
Every tour you lead brings real impact—economically, culturally, and socially. You’ll offer guests a more authentic experience of Japan and become part of a more sustainable, people-focused way to travel.
More than just guiding—TOMOGO! gives you tools, freedom, and real support.
Support You Can Count On
Get connected instantly with travelers looking for unique local experiences.
Real-Time Matching
Set your own schedule. More availability means more earnings and connections.
Direct Chat with Guests
Chat freely and share your favorite side of Japan, just like you would with a friend!
I’ll take you to my favourite hidden gems. It’ll be so much fun! 🎉
It’s my first time in Tokyo and I’m excited to discover local spots. Can’t wait for the tour! 🤩
Set Your Own Availability
Help travelers explore Japan differently—authentic, local, and sustainable.
What Makes TOMOGO! Different
TOMOGO! provides guidance, resources, and a team to help you succeed.
Meet Our Tour Leaders
Hi, I’m Tina! I discovered TOMOGO! on Instagram and loved their mission — it’s similar to mine. As a guide, I enjoy connecting with people from around the world and showing them lesser-known spots in Tokyo. I also love exploring and learning about the places I visit, which I get to do while guiding others.
TOMOGO! stood out to me because we share the same goal: helping tourists discover hidden places in Tokyo, especially in response to overtourism in popular areas. The team is incredibly supportive, communicative, and kind, and I’m really glad I joined. I've already met so many people who share my interests and vision.
Hello everyone! My name is Serdar and I am from Turkey. I have lived in Japan for 12 years and I love the country along with its culture, language, food, and people.
I have primarily worked in the hospitality field as a receptionist at hotels, restaurants, and also worked as a language instructor for Turkish and English in Tokyo.
I recently became a TOMOGO! tour leader in Tokyo because I love the idea of being outdoors, exploring more of Japan, meeting wonderful people from all around the world, and sharing experiences to make their visits even more special and meaningful.
I am passionate about creating personalized tours tailored to my guests’ interests. Let’s go and explore with TOMOGO!
Get to know some of the amazing locals who make TOMOGO! special.
Hello, I'm Amir! As a Tour Leader based in Tokyo, I’ve had the joy of meeting people from around the world and sharing the city’s rich culture, history, and hidden gems. Guests often appreciate my professionalism, flexibility, and deep knowledge of Japan.
I joined TOMOGO! to help travelers experience Tokyo in a meaningful way. If you love connecting with people, guiding is an incredibly rewarding path.
Want to be part of the TOMOGO! journey too? Join us today!
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What qualifications do I need to become a tour leader on TOMOGO!?To become a tour leader, you need to: - Be knowledgeable about the areas you lead - Have basic Japanese skills (e.g., for ordering at cafes or buying tickets) - Hold a valid visa to work in Japan - Bring creativity, a positive attitude, and a friendly personality
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What is the payment schedule for tour leaders at TOMOGO!?Payments are processed through Stripe Connect and are transferred to the bank account you provided during registration. You’ll receive payments every Friday for the tours you have conducted.
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Will transportation be reimbursed?Tour Leaders are expected to arrange their own transportation.
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Can I set my own tour prices?Tour prices are pre-set by TOMOGO! and cannot be adjusted by tour leaders. However, we are preparing to launch a ranking system — highly rated tour leaders will have access to higher-paying tours.
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Will guests pay for my coffee or meals if we visit cafés or restaurants during the tour?Guests are not obligated to cover your food or drink expenses. However, if they choose to offer, you are welcome to accept.
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Can I offer custom tours?Customization is possible when a guest books an Omakase Tour. In that case, you’ll work directly with the guest to design a tour based on their preferences and interests.
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Can I limit the number of travelers on the tours?Currently, it’s not possible to set a guest limit, but this feature will be introduced soon on the App.