Do You Need a License to Be a Tour Guide? The Difference Between National and Regional Tour Guides, and What You Can Do Without a License

Key Points of This Article

As of January 4, 2018, tour guides are permitted to provide paid services even without a license.
There are two types of certifications: “National Licensed Interpreter-Guide,” which requires passing a national exam and registration, and “Regional Licensed Interpreter-Guide,” which requires completing local government training and registration.
Unlicensed individuals who use the titles “National Interpreter-Guide,” “Regional Interpreter-Guide,” or similar designations are subject to a fine of up to 300,000 yen.
Even without a license, clearly stating your areas of expertise—such as specific regions, fields, or languages—can help you get chosen as a guide.

Since 2018, it has been possible to work as a paid interpretive guide without a license

Previously, only individuals holding the Licensed Interpreter-Guide qualification were permitted to receive compensation for guiding foreign visitors in a foreign language. On January 4, 2018, the amended Interpreter-Guide Act came into effect, changing the status of the Licensed Interpreter-Guide qualification from a “professional monopoly” to a “title monopoly” (Japan Tourism Agency: Overview of the Amended Interpreter-Guide Act).

“Exclusive use of the title” means that while anyone can perform the work itself, only those who hold the qualification may use the title. If you’re proficient in English and can show visitors around your local area, you can start a side business as an interpretive guide even without the qualification.

The Difference Between National Licensed Tour Guides and Regional Licensed Tour Guides

National Licensed Tour Guide

These are individuals who have passed a national examination (consisting of a written and an oral exam) and are registered with their prefecture. There are no restrictions on the areas they can guide in. After registration, they are required to complete training at a training institution registered by the Japan Tourism Agency every five years; failure to do so may result in the revocation of their registration (Japan Tourism Agency: Overview of the Revised Interpreter-Guide Law).

The exam is administered by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO); for fiscal year 2026, the written exam is on August 16 and the oral exam is on November 29. You can take the exam in languages other than English. Please check the JNTO’s “Implementation Guidelines for the National Licensed Interpreter-Guide Examination” for details on exam subjects and exemption requirements.

Regional Licensed Tour Guide

These are individuals who have completed training provided by a local government and are registered with that government. They may only provide guided tours within the area designated by that local government (Japan Tourism Agency: What Is a Regional Licensed Interpreter-Guide?). While this qualification is obtained through training rather than an exam, the availability of the program and application periods vary by region, so you must check with the local government where you live for details.

What You Can and Cannot Do Without a License

What You Can Do

You may accept compensation to accompany foreign visitors and provide sightseeing guidance in a foreign language even without a qualification.

What You Cannot Do

Individuals without the qualification must not use the titles “National Licensed Tour Guide,” “Regional Licensed Tour Guide,” or any similar designations (Articles 52 and 60 of the Licensed Tour Guide Act). Violations are subject to a fine of up to 300,000 yen (Article 64 of the same Act; e-Gov Law Search: Licensed Tour Guide Act).

To be on the safe side, avoid using the name of the qualification or similar terms on your profile or business cards; instead, describe your services specifically, such as “I provide guided tours of Kyoto’s temples and shrines in English.”

There Are Other Regulations Besides the Certified Interpreter-Guide Act

While you can work as a guide without a license, there are regulations under the Travel Agency Act and the Road Transport Act regarding creating and selling travel itineraries, arranging transportation and accommodations, or transporting clients in your own vehicle. For more details, see “Travel Agency Registration and Unlicensed Taxis: Things to Watch Out for When Working as a Part-Time Interpretive Guide.”

Benefits of Obtaining Certification

You can use the title of the certification: This makes it easier to convey to clients you’re meeting for the first time that you possess a certain level of knowledge.
You gain knowledge: The exam covers not only foreign languages but also Japanese geography, history, general knowledge, and the practical aspects of interpreting and guiding. During training, you’ll also learn about itinerary management and how to respond in the event of a disaster.
Handling of Transportation During Tours: When a licensed tour guide—certified by the national government or a local municipality—transports clients by car for the purpose of a guided tour, no transportation permit or registration is required as long as no specific transportation fees are charged (Hokkaido Transport Bureau: Guidelines on Transportation Not Requiring Permits or Registration).

What You Can Do to Get Chosen Even Without a License

When customers choose a guide, what they want to know is, “What can this person do for me?” Even without a qualification, specifically listing the following points can help you get chosen.

The areas you can guide in and the places you know well (local temples and shrines, shopping districts, sake breweries, etc.)
Languages you speak and your proficiency level (in addition to English, proficiency in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and other languages is a strong asset)
Areas of expertise (history, food, sake, pottery, anime, business tours, etc.)
Available dates and times for tours, and the duration of each tour

Start working as an interpreter-guide on jpwork hub—even without a license

jpwork hub is a service that connects international visitors to Japan with people living in Japan who want to put their foreign language skills—such as English—to use. When you register as a partner, you can post your own plans—including interpretation, on-site accompaniment, sightseeing tours, and culinary tours—at rates you set yourself.You can decide for yourself whether to accept a request based on the schedule and details, so you can even do this as a side job just on weekends.

Registration is free, and fees are charged only when a request is confirmed and payment is processed. Since we’ve just launched the service, we can’t guarantee a specific number of requests, but we welcome those who’d like to join us as our first partners to help grow the service together.

View details on partner recruitment

Frequently Asked Questions

If I don’t have a license, am I not allowed to accept payment for guiding?

No. With the enforcement of the amended Interpreter-Guide Act on January 4, 2018, it is now possible to work as an interpreter-guide and receive compensation even without a license.

Can I call myself a “tour guide”?

Unlicensed individuals may not use the titles “National Licensed Interpreter-Guide,” “Regional Licensed Interpreter-Guide,” or similar designations. It is recommended that you avoid phrasing that might be interpreted as similar to these titles and instead describe your services specifically—for example, “tourist guidance in English.”

Can I take the National Certified Interpreter-Guide exam in languages other than English?

Yes. You can take the exam in languages other than English. Please check the JNTO exam guidelines for the eligible languages and subjects.

Photo credit: Yoko-kan Garden in Fukui City: Yoshihide Fujitani / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized) Wikimedia Commons.