Haruo T.
Available Areas
Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Yokohama (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
11 hours on average
Availability Updated
3 days ago
About Tour Guide Haruo T.
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.
Important
I have changed the day when I am available.
Tours
Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan
This tour is for the tourists who have just arrived in Japan and would like to explore Tokyo on the first day of your trip. See the typical major sites like Meijijingu Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji Wholesale Market, Imperial Palace and Asakusa, while travelling across the city from the west to the east. Also learn about some tips for strolling Tokyo by yourselves, such as transportation, reservation, dinning and shopping, unique tourist sites and so on, according to your requests and interests.
Yokohama Shore Excursion
This is a one-day shore excursion for those who visit Yokohama port during your cruise overseas. During the limited time see the must-see sites and experience some attractions of your interest. Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan with a population of about 3.8 million. It is the first port which opened to the world after a long seclusion policy by the last Samurai government (Tokugawa Shogunate). Enjoy both historical sites and newly developed seafront center.
Kamakura & Enoshima: It's Shownan Time!
This tour takes you to Kamakura, the first Samurai capital, and Enoshima, which is a sandbar island on Japanese Long Beach called Shownan. You visit Hachimangu Shrine and Great Buddha to learn about the history and culture of Kamakura Shogunate (Samurai Government). On the latter half of the tour, you enjoy exploring the picturesque and religious island, Enoshima, which is now a popular, and attractive tour site. After you leave Japan, you will never forget this wonderful moment.
Kamakura & Yokosuka: History of War and Peace Tour
This tour takes you to historical sites on wars and peace. In the morning, explore Kamakura to visit the sites related to the battles of samurais to learn about battles in the middle age. After lunch at Komachidori Street, move to the city of Yokosuka to visit Yokosuka Navel Port and Memorial Battleship Mikasa to know about the wars in the modern era. If you want to take the tour of either Kamakura or Yokosuka, it is possible to change the itinerary.
Magical History Tour in First Samurai Capital
This 4-hour tour takes you to four major and popular tourist sites in Kamakura. Visit Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine to learn about Shintoism, (Japanese indigenous religion), and the culture and history of Kamakura Shogunate, (the first samurai government). Stroll Komachidori Street to enjoy foods and drinks as well as shopping. At Kotokuin Temple, see the great statue of Amida Buddha, and at Hasedera Temple, see the statue of eleven-headed Kannon to know more about Buddhism and it's statues.
Kitakamakura: Travel for Finding Oneself
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.
Haruo T. Japan Tour Reviews
Travis V.
Kamakura & Yokosuka: History of War and Peace Tour
“Great locations, great guide”
We really enjoyed traveling to Kamakura and Yokosuka with Horuo. It was generally overcast (with a bit of rain) so we were often alone at some of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, and we were able to generally avoid the crowds with Haruo. Travel was very easy for us, and we learned a lot about Japan's history while on our adventures with him. Haruo is very knowledgeable about about the locations he took us to, and was able to bring each bridge and path to life with background we would have otherwise been oblivious to - stories of royalty, faith, assassination plot, wars, peace, and daily life for residents throughout history. There is so much we would have otherwise missed without Haruo, and we are deeply appreciative that we were able to share our travels with him.
Haruo T.
(10 reviews)Dear Trevis Thank you very much for your heartwarming review. This encourages me to improve my guiding. I was also very happy to have a tour with you. Please take care of yourselves. Best Regards Haruo
“An amazing start to adventure!”
Haruo is a fantastic guide and educator who helped us get our bearings on our first day in Tokyo. While on an amazing tour of the imperial gardens (and an indoor 'open air' style Edo museum) we learned about the history of Tokyo and its people, we learned about basic etiquette (tipping, bowing, etc), and how to find what we would need during our 2 week stay. We learned the basics about Shintoism, a few important phrases, we got to try some really unique (and tasty) food, and he took some really great photos of us!
Haruo T.
(10 reviews)I'm sure you had spent a great time in your whole tour in Japan. Please take care of yourselves. Thank you again. Haruo
“Fantastic tour guide!”
Haruo was a great choice for our first day in Tokyo. We knew we'd be wiped from the prior day of flying mentally, so setting up a tour with Haruo explaining all the ins and outs of shrines and how to use the subway was so helpful to get us started, plus we hit up a bunch of the big sites. Lots of history and info, more than happy to be flexible for the sights we wanted to see vs what we were not as interested in. Great guy, great tour, highly recommend!
Haruo T.
(10 reviews)Dear Elisa and Charles Thank you so much for your kind review. That encourages me to improve my tour from now on. It is not you but me that learned a lot about the culture of your country. Especially, talking about your hometown Seatle made me remember sweet memories of my trip and want to come back there. I believe you had a great time after our tour. Thank you again and take care of yourselves. Best Regards, Haruo