About Tour Guide Akira N.

“An outstanding and insightful Tokyo experience!”

My two adult sons and I toured Tokyo for two days with Akira and it was the highlight of our week-long trip. Instead of focusing on the usual tourist sights, I had asked Akira to take us to some of his favorite areas of the city. He took us through everyday neighborhoods where we could see how people actually live, commute, shop, eat, and spend their time. It was fascinating and gave us a much deeper understanding of Tokyo than we ever could have gotten from guidebooks or just checking off major landmarks. Akira was wonderful to talk with — very knowledgeable, easygoing, and happy to answer any questions we had. He explained things in a thoughtful, engaging way. What really stood out was hearing about his own life and day-to-day experiences in Tokyo. We learned so much about Japanese culture, social norms, and everyday routines just by walking and talking. If you’re curious about what life in Tokyo is really like and want a deeper, more meaningful experience, I highly recommend Akira. The two days we spent with him were informative, engaging, and enjoyable from start to finish!

Akira N.

(392 reviews)

Thank you so much for the great review. Since we started exchanging messages online, I had a feeling that you found the right guy, and I am so glad that my intuition was correct. It is always my pleasure to be a guide for those who wish to see Tokyo through the eyes of locals. I have always believed that the city is not a great spot for everyone, and it is not as wonderful as many guidebooks, influencers, and so-called travel advisors say. There are many so-called "unwritten rules" (which I honestly don't know if they can be categorized as “rules”)that you'd be better off following, just like many locals do. For those who think they are entitled to behave the same way everywhere they go, Japan could be one of the worst places for them to enjoy their holidays. However, if they understand that following these rules is a necessary process to truly know what Tokyo (and its people and culture) is, I believe they will love this city, just as you and your wonderful two sons did. The places we visited are all my favorites (some of them I have loved since I was a teenager), and I am so glad you enjoyed them. Thank you for spending two days with me. I thoroughly enjoyed guiding you and exchanging stories. I look forward to another opportunity to explore my beloved city together. Sincerely, Akira

“Non tourist parts of Tokyo tour”

Akira took myself and my family on a wonderful adventure tailored to our families requests. Akira speaks very good English and is a happy go lucky good bloke we would recommend him to anyone looking for a private tour of Tokyo we had an amazing experience.

Akira N.

(392 reviews)

Dear Luke, Thank you so much for the great review, and thank you so much for the happy family vibes. I am so glad you had a great time just like I did. Hoping that you'll have a great time in the rest of the days in Japan. Sincerely, Akira

“Fantastic tour with Akira to experience the hidden treasures of Tokyo”

Akira was an outstanding guide and made our day in Tokyo genuinely special. Even though we followed an itinerary focused on quieter, more “local” neighborhoods, what really set the experience apart was how much context he added everywhere we went. He didn’t just lead us from place to place — he helped us understand what we were seeing, why it mattered, and how these corners of Tokyo fit into the city’s history and daily life. We began in the peaceful beauty of the Imperial Palace and its Kokyo Gaein National Garden, which felt like stepping into a different world from the modern city around it. From there, Akira took us through the business district of Chiyoda-Marunouchi to Zoshigaya, where we visited the remarkable Kishimojin temple, Nezu Shrine, and stopped by his favorite our-over coffee shop (Aoyama Coffee Roaster) nearby — the kind of place we never would have found (or fully appreciated) on our own. His storytelling and depth of knowledge made the neighborhood feel alive rather than just “another stop.” Later we explored Sugamo, where we enjoyed a delicious teishoku set meal, and Akira helped us navigate the experience in a way that felt easy and authentic. We ended the day wandering the narrow lanes of Yanaka, one of the highlights for us — it’s a wonderful area to observe everyday Tokyo, and Akira pointed out details we would have walked right past without realizing their significance. Throughout the full eight hours, Akira was warm, attentive, and incredibly generous with explanations and questions and kind enough to capture many photos of our tour. He struck the perfect balance between guiding and giving us space to soak it all in. We came away feeling like we’d seen a side of Tokyo we wouldn’t have discovered without him — and we understood it so much better because of him. We can’t recommend Akira highly enough and have recommended him to friends who will be visiting Tokyo in the new year. Thank you, Akira! — Larry & Leo

Akira N.

(392 reviews)

Dear Larry and Leo, Thank you so much for the fantastic review. I am thrilled to hear that you both enjoyed the tour soaking in the unique vibes of each neighborhood. Your open-mindedness and willingness to experience my country, our people, and our way of life truly made the tour special. I appreciate how you observed things as they are, with a deep respect for our culture. It was a joy for me to guide you in such a friendly atmosphere created by two beautiful human beings. I hope you gained insight into what it is like to be a Tokyo local, discovering interesting experience not just at iconic spots, but also while waiting for trains in the platform, standing on a crowded train, queueing at a local Teishoku restaurant, and walking through the street that represent the everyday Tokyo that many tourists overlook. Thank you once again for choosing to explore my beloved city with me. I am looking forward to another chance to explore my loving city together. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Sincerely, Akira