Joined 2018
Tomoko H.
Available Areas
Kanagawa, Saitama, Tokyo (Living), Kamakura, Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Mount Fuji
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
5 hours on average
Availability Updated
1 day ago
About Tour Guide Tomoko H.
Hi everyone! Hearty welcome to Japan.
I’m Tomoko.
I am an English-speaking licensed tour guide, and a registered nurse as well.
“Fun Discovering Experience Walking like a Local!” – F-D-E-W-L!
That’s what I suggest.
【Experiences】
My work history is as follows.
1) high school teacher ---12 years
2) nurse--8 years + 2 years as operational manager for Kamakura city vaccination team (during COVID period)
3) tourism related jobs such as tour conducting, guiding, and backyard supporting---10 years
As a tour conductor, I’ve visited about 20 foreign countries (possibly yours?) as well as countless number of towns and villages in Japan.
I’ve enjoyed these jobs while being a mother.
Through these experiences with lots of people from different backgrounds, I've found it a great pleasure to share the joy of learning and experiencing something new!
【Guiding Areas】
<Basic> Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Fuji, Yokohama, Nikko, and other neighboring areas from Tokyo
I’m a specialist in Tokyo and Kamakura as I have lived and enjoyed walking a lot in those cities for decades. To be honest, even after all my years here, I still enjoy exploring like a tourist as Tokyo is such an enormous city with great diversity and is constantly changing.
Kamakura is a historical small city with nice beaches and hills and lots of hidden spots of beauty. Almost every time I go out, I feel I’m still making new discoveries. That’s why I cannot stop exploring.
I would take you to some neighboring areas like Hakone, Yokohama, Nikko, and Mt. Fuji area (Lake Kawaguchiko), etc.
<Based on Requests > *if my transportation & accommodation are covered
Nagoya, Kyoto, Nagano(Nagano city, Snow Monkey park, Kisoji trail, etc.), Hida (Takayama, Shirakawa-go), Kanazawa, Oita, Yamagata, Akita, etc.
My original family is from Nagoya, so I know their culture and even their language(dialect) well. Later in my life, I have lived in Oita, Kyushu(far south west of Tokyo) for nearly 10 years and traveled a lot in Kyushu. I love traveling Tohoku, the northern Japan area, too. I’ve planned and enjoyed visiting many of those local areas in the north, too. So, I could share those experiences with you even while having tours in Tokyo or online.
【Personality and others】
- I love meeting people, listening and talking to them.
- I'm friendly and caring, I hope:)
- I love nature and enjoy hiking and skiing.
- I love seasonal flowers and good local food.
- You will see a lot about Japanese culture, nature, and lifestyle with me.
What has made you decide to come to Japan, by the way? Is it its scenic beauties, exotic culture, history, food, anime, or what else? Is it your business that has brought (or will bring) you here? Let me have a clue and customize your tour. I will make the best tour suggestion for you.
Why don’t you contact me now? I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you! Arigato-gozaimas!
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo
Recommended for those who want to make the best of your limited days in Tokyo! First, choose 1 or 2 places from the selection list in ‘Highlights,’ and let me know your requests. Then I will suggest the best itinerary especially for you. If you are thinking of touring around other areas starting from Tokyo or ending at Tokyo, I could assist your planning as a tour guide+consultant. Feel free to contact me.
Hakone Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
One-day fun excursion to Hakone from Tokyo. Hakone is a part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. This tour covers the highlights of Hakone. You will enjoy its natural beauties, spectacular views of volcanic activity, a lovely museum with great masterpieces, historical sites, and fun vehicle rides. If weather permits, the view of Mt. Fuji is gorgeous! Fun excursion for both adults and children.
Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo
One day fun excursion to Kamakura, a small, coastal city just one hour south of Tokyo. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments as well as beautiful beach and forestry hills. Refer to this model plan, and I will customize your tour based on your tastes and requests. Count on me, Kamakura specialist!
Kamakura Day Hike with Local Expert
Kamakura is a small, quiet, lovely town, one hour south of Tokyo. It was Japan's political center around the 13th century. This tour is especially recommended for nature lovers who seek a day-escape from busy Tokyo. It covers many hidden spots never visited in a large group tour. You will visit some famous spots like the Great Buddha as well. Kamakura is my hometown when I spent half of my life and I still often visitt to see my family. I'm sure you can enjoy the area just like locals do.
Historical Exploring in Ueno (half day)
Concise Japanese history tour. Recommended especially for those who like to overview Japan’s history and art at the start and the end of your trip. Focusing on the early modern era in Ueno Park, we survey the entire history at Japanese Gallery in Tokyo National Museum. It’s not in a lecture style, but in relaxed, interactive way. Why don’t you share its real treasures with me, an Ueno local?
Asakusa (half day)
A half-day tour to Tokyo’s must-visit area, Asakuksa. Asakusa is not just the iconic Kaminarimon gate with the huge red lantern, but it's also full of interesting spots and cultural attractions. You will be amazed to see so many things packed into one place. Short, but fully enjoyable tour.
Reviews
Diane M.
“Kamakura tour”
It only took us over 50 years to get to see the big Buddha and Tomoko made it happen. She helped us find everything we asked for and more. If we had more time, it would have been nice to spend two days. We will come again and travel with Tomoko.
Tomoko H.
Diane, thank you for your lovely review. Your memory, your wish, which you have had for over 50 years, touched me and made the Great Buddha in Kamakura, the town I grew up in and have visited so many times, very special. I am sure your trip to Ise was enjoyable. I look forward to welcoming you and Rod to Japan again. Matane & Arigato- Tomoko
Mino S.
“Top rated experience. 5 Stars. ”
Tomoko was the best tour guide that we’ve ever had. She was punctual, professional and extremely educated on the history of Tokyo. Navigating through the city in a timely and efficient manner. I would highly recommend her for any guided experience with a small group or large group. She overdelivered on all aspects and also spoke English very well. Exceptional!!!
Tomoko H.
Thank you Mino for posting such a positive review so soon after the tour. You just arrived yesterday from Boston, and I marveled at your energy and appetite. I am sure you and your lovely daughter Ava will enjoy your further journey as well. I look forward to seeing you again. Best wishes to all your family and my best regards to your friend Mike. - Tomoko:)
Andrea F.
“Japan 2024”
We just got back from our holiday in Japan and quite honestly, we couldn’t have had a lovelier time if it weren’t for our guide Tomoko. She made our first two days in Tokyo so enjoyable. Her kind disposition, her excellent communication skills in English and her ability to get us from place to place understanding our itinerary and our interests (2 adult parents and 2 university age daughters) at our pace was invaluable. Don’t hesitate to book Tomoko as your guide! She took time to explain local traditions and customs, took excellent photos of the family and managed to keep us on schedule so we could see and do everything we wanted including eating and shopping along the way.
Tomoko H.
I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful holiday, Andrea. Thank you for writing this excellent review just after returning from the trip. I love the photos of us enjoying the market and of me leaving the misfortune I took:) Your husband, Doug, knew very well that you had spent a lot of time researching and preparing very hard for your family, and his first wish was for you to spend some special time yourselves. It was a real pleasure and a privilege for me as a guide to be with you all considerate each other and to spend two very enjoyable days. Thanks to Sydney and Emma, I enjoyed going to shops I wouldn't have gone to on my own. Thanks for broadening my horizons. I wish you and your family once again a happy and healthy 2025. Thank you.
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