This tour takes you to historical sites in Kitakamakura (Northern Kamakura), letting you enjoy the traditional culture of Zen Buddhism and seasonal natural beauty in a quiet atmosphere. While visiting Zen temples, you experience a Zen-meditation session as well as Kaiseki-ryori, a set menu of Japanese traditional dishes for a party. This will surely purify your mind and be a once-in-lifetime experience.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Kitakamakura Station
Meeting
Engakuji Temple
One of the most important Zen Buddhist Temples, ranked the second among Kamakura's Five Mountains (great Zen temples)
Japanese restaurant
Have lunch of kaiseki-ryori, a set meal for a Japanese dinner party with healthy and delicious ingredients, at one of the most popular Japanese style restaurants in Kamakura
Kitakamakura Old Private House Museum
The museum inside an old private house built about 100 years ago to see its architecture and see a seasonal exhibition
Kenchoji Temple
Ranked at the top of Kamakura's Five Mountains (great Zen temples) and the oldest Zen training monastery
Zen Meditation Session at Kenchoji Temple
Join the one-hour Zen meditation session for beginners.
End of the tour
Ending Point
At Kamakura Station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
transportation fee of guide
entrance fee of guide
lunch of guide
transportation fee (guest)
lunch (guest)
entrance fee (guest)
1. Zen meditation sessions are held every Friday and Saturday, so the tour starts only on those days of the week.
2. Since Zen meditation sessions are held in a tatami or straw mat room, you need to take off your shoes at the entrance. Casual clothes which are suitable for sitting on a tatami mat such as trousers and long skirts are recommended. You don't have to kneel on the floor in the formal sitting position. You can sit down the way you feel comfortable.
3. For lunch, a meal is served as a set menu. You will select one from some set menus but cannot order an individual dish.
I have changed the day when I am available.
I live in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. I have a license to teach in high schools and was admitted to the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language in the University of Birmingham. Until 2015 I had been teaching English at public high schools in Kanagawa for 37 years. During that time, I had some experience of guiding students from overseas through sister-school relationship around Tokyo and Kanagawa. Therefore, I had good command of English with the TOEIC score of 935.
As for a tour guide experience I earned the certificate of National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter in English and since then I have guided tourists to the popular sites around Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Yokosuka. My guiding focuses on introducing not only Japanese historical and cultural backgrounds but also giving tourists some tips to travel Japan only by themselves, such as how to use trains and subways, find good restaurants, reserve tickets, buy survenier, and speak basic Japanese. In addition, my tour includes opportunities to experience Japanese culture like Zen meditation, ninja performance, visiting anime's location sites based on tourists' request. Besides, by means of my hobbies of writing English Haiku and Waka (traditional Japanese poems) and performing Rakugo (traditional Japanese funny story telling) in English, I can surely entertain tourists during the tour.
My moto as a tour guide is let the tourists have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan with my profound, intelligible and interestiog guiding.
“An amazing guide for an amazing start of our Japan Trip!”
As a first-time user of this service and traveler to Japan, I wholeheartedly recommend it to all foreigners visiting Japan for the first time. Haruo was exceptional in the lead-up to my arrival, promptly answering my questions and providing a clear itinerary while remaining flexible. His proficiency in English was impressive, and he offered insightful explanations about both the historical and modern aspects of Japan. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our tour and would gladly book him again. One tip I would suggest is to ensure you have good walking skills for any Tokyo tour! Haruo was an excellent choice for our first day in Tokyo. Given that we were mentally exhausted from a long flight the previous day, having a tour with Haruo to navigate the intricacies of shrines and subway systems was incredibly beneficial. We visited many major sites, learning a wealth of historical information, and he was more than willing to adjust our itinerary based on our interests. He is a fantastic guide, and I highly recommend his services! Thank you very much, Haruo-san.
Haruo T.
Dear Pranav You are really one of the amazing guests I’ve ever guided. Thank you for your kind words and generosity. The tour with you will be an unforgettable memory in my life. Please take care of yourselves and I wish you a Merry Christmas. Haruo
“Awesome Tour of Tokyo!!”
1st time user of this service and traveller to Japan and I would recommend it 100% to all Foreigners visiting Japan for the 1st time. Haruro was great in the lead up prior to arriving to Japan in answering my questions and was transparent on the itinerary and flexible. His English was great and he explained the history of tradition and modern era of Japan. We loved every minute of our tour. I would recommend in booking him anytime. The only helpful hint I would advise is that you better bring your walking skills when you do any Tokyo tour!! Thank you very much Haruyo.
Haruo T.
Hi, Ibrahim. Thank you so much for the kind and generous review as well as your recommendation. I’m sure you will have a great tour in Tokyo and Osaka. Good luck for the horse race! Best regards to your amazing son.
Stacey H.
Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan Kasai and Odaiba for Stacey
Customized
“Tokyo Bay walking tour ”
Haruo was a great guide - took us to do and see what we asked for and more - explained points of interest on the way - would do another tour with him
Haruo T.
Thank you for the thoughtful and heartwarming review even though I made some mistakes during the tour. This encourages me a lot. Please enjoy the tour in Japan. I’m always wishing your safe and wonderful trip in Japan.
$149/ per group