“A Fascinating Guide for a Fascinating City”

Akira is a native of Tokyo and knows it perfectly. He escorted us on the Tokyo subway, by taxi and also by foot to a variety of temples and shrines, where he explained customs of prayer and respect. As we traveled around the city, he gave us practical instructions about how things work. He took us to various craft shops including ceramics, paper and fabric, as well as to interesting restaurants for lunch and dinner. Conversation flowed easily and was very informative. Akira is personable, exceptionally well-read in Japanese literature and history, and we learned a tremendous amount about Japan from him, while enjoying every minute. We give him our highest possible recommendation. Thank you for everything, Akira!

Akira N.

(386 reviews)

Dear Larry, Thank you so much for the great review. I am so glad to know that you enjoyed the tour and I hope the tour was meaningful enough to gave you valuable information on Japan, people, and their culture. We went to many places and it was fun. However, one of the most memorable part of the tour I can remember about the tour with you and Margaret will be conversation that we had. It was so nice to realize how lucky I was to know something universal such as great movies(Kurosawa, Coppola, Fellini, De Sica and etc.) and awesome literature (Ishiguro, Fitzgerald, Dostoyevsky and etc, etc,) connected us together. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your Japan trip. I am looking forward to another chance to explore my loving city together. Sincerely, Akira P.S. About "War and Peace", I understand it's a long book, but maybe it is about time for me to muster up the courage to start reading it for the very first time at the age of 53.....

“Great experience!!”

We met with Akira for three days in Tokyo. He was fantastic! We experienced Tokyo as locals and not tourists… just as we requested. He took us to places from local coffee shops in quiet neighborhoods to great restaurants in the city where locals dine. His communication with us was great both before and during our visit. He was flexible in altering our tours if we wanted. We walked, took subways, trains, and streetcars all around Tokyo. Thank you for an incredible experience in exploring and experiencing Tokyo.

Akira N.

(386 reviews)

Dear Morris, Thank you so much for the great review. I am so so happy that you felt that you could experienced Tokyo as locals and not tourists, since that's what I have always hoped for. Thank you so much for having me not only as a guide but also someone like your friendly neighbor. It was my pleasure and so much fun to be with you and beautiful Rhonda for three days. I am looking forward to another chance to explore my loving city together. Sincerely, AKira

“Seeing Tokyo’s Neighborhoods with Akira”

We have spent the last month in China and Japan taking a land tour with Viking. Although we’ve seen many historical and interesting sites we hadn’t gotten a real feel for the daily life of most city residents. And we hadn’t had a chance to ask someone details of how people lived. Akira took us through different neighborhoods on a Saturday and we saw where and how people lived. We walked through the beautiful and relaxing gardens they shared and took their dogs and played with their children. We talked about the difference between religious attitudes, work plans, and transportation between Tokyo residents and Bejing residents. We experienced Shito Shrines and Buhdist alters being used for the children’s 3,5,7 ceremonies with someone who truly respected them whereas before the alters we saw on our group tours were and some photosmostly overwhelmed by tourists. We learned to use the streetcar and train system. He took us to a restaurant where we ate a typical Japanese lunch. It was very good, Akira answered so many questions we had. His English was perhaps better than ours and he answered all of our questions about living in Tokyo. Akira designed our itinerary and we are very happy we chose to follow it, Our tour with him was more than worth the price.

Akira N.

(386 reviews)

Dear Susan, Thank yo so much for the great review. I am so glad you enjoyed the tour. It was such a great day to wander about the city. Whether was nice, and there were relaxing and happy vibes in many places we went. We had a chance to see locals having great times in Saturday afternoon including happy family (3 generations) celebrating healthy growth of their kids in shrines and temples. We had delicious pairs persimmons (served by lovely grandma!) at local family-own fruit shop. It was so much fun for me to answer your question because you gave me an opportunity to see my country, people, and our culture from different angles. I answer so many questions but I did to you too (Thank you for being patient on my weird English questions). I am so happy that you are not just interested in popular spots taking pictures and go to next spots but more interested in people and their life. Thank you so much for having me this time. I am looking forward to another chance to explore my loving city together. Sincerely, Akira