Joined 2019
Haruo T.
Available Areas
Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Yokohama (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
11 hours on average
Availability Updated
5 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
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
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 & 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.
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.
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.
Reviews
“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.
(13 reviews)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.
(13 reviews)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.
“This truly was our first day on our trip to Japan”
Although one member of our Family is able to speak a basic level of Japanese, he had never been to Tokyo before. So having a private guide was the top reason why we booked this tour. Haruo was very responsive, both before and during the tour. Before our arrival, contacting us and confirming the sites we wanted to see. The morning of, we confused our start time to an earlier time and Haruo left his home early to get to us. He picked us up at the train station by our accommodations, which we greatly appreciated. We chose Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Tower, lunch in the Shopping Mall at Ginza, Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Sumida river cruise. Unfortunately, the Garden was closed the day of our tour, so we went to see the giant Shinjuku 3D cat billboard! Since we chose attractions that were not close to each other, Haruo had to navigate the trains and subways for us, which even for a local can be confusing. Our Family has food issues - and Haruo spoke with the staff at the restaurant we chose on our behalf to ensure we could eat there without issue. And we did and it was a lovely lunch! One recommendation would be to select attractions that are closer to each other than we did. Especially if you haven't recovered from jet lag! I would highly recommend Haruo and this tour!
Haruo T.
(13 reviews)Dear Sharon Thank you for heartwarming review though I made some mistakes and confused you during the tour. This encourages me to improve my future tour. Take care of yourselves and enjoy the rest of summer. Haruo
