Joined 2019
Haruo T.
Available Areas
Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Yokohama (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
20 hours on average
Availability Updated
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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!
Categories
Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan
Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan
Kamakura & Yokosuka: History of War and Peace Tour
Kamakura & Yokosuka: History of War and Peace Tour
Yokohama Shore Excursion
Yokohama Shore Excursion
Kamakura & Enoshima: It's Shownan Time!
Kamakura & Enoshima: It's Shownan Time!
Magical History Tour in First Samurai Capital
Magical History Tour in First Samurai Capital
Reviews
Bernard B.
“Invaluable guide in Tokyo”
We decided to spend a whole day in Tokyo before embarking on a cruise. We connected with Haruo because he lives in Yokohama, and we had decided to stay in Yokohama within walking distance of the cruise terminal. The HUGE advantage to that is that Haruo met us at the hotel and started the day there, so that he was able to guide us through the extensive train and subway network up to Tokyo. It can be daunting and complicated, and I am not sure how many times we would have been delayed without him. But by the end of the day, we had the confidence to get back on our own. Haruo's English is excellent, and we never had an issue understanding him. He is personable and kind. Best part is that his communication was excellent before the tour, and he incorporated our desired stops into a custom itinerary that would work. And best yet, he was flexible on the day of the tour when weary legs and feet decided to forgo a stop or two to more thoroughly enjoy our day. We had decided to end the tour in Asakusa and go back on our own to meander a bit more on our own and have the ladies do some shopping. And was able to point out a particular type of restaurant that we requested. All in all, getting Haruo was a great decision, and we feel that we have gained a friend in Japan as well.
Haruo T.
Dear Bernard. I can’t say thank you enough for your kind words. I also felt like traveling with my friends at the end of the tour. I would be happy if I could be able to give you some advice to help you enjoy your long trip here in Japan. I’m sure you can, since you understand what you need to know and ask me appropriate questions. Even though it’s warmer than usual and needed a lot of walking, you were so cooperative and generous to keep up with my pace. I’m afraid it might have made you exhausted. The conversation with you at the cafe at Shinjuku Gyoen Garden was so enjoyable that I might have forgotten I was your guide. Whenever I see the wonderful picture taken with you in front of the gate of Asakusa Sensoji Temple, I’ll remember and think of you and the tour on one beautiful early summer day in Tokyo. Best wishes Your friend, Haruo
Marcus O.
“Great tour with an excellent guide”
Haruo is a very kind and pleasant guide. It was a pleasure, to explore the town with him and we truely can recommend him. He explained the historic and the modern meanings of the stops of our tour and made all of the experience really interesting. We had a very good time with him and it was very helpful.
Haruo T.
I can’t say thank you enough for your kind words. I hope your Pokémon souvenir has a great impact on your children. Please don’t worry too much about the result of Omikuji fortune telling drawing. That is a kind of advice for you. I also enjoyed the tour, especially cherry blossom viewing with you. Good luck and take care of yourselves. Danke.
Teresa B.
“Great Day With Haruo ”
We had a wonderful day with Haruo in Tokyo! He was incredibly patient and flexible, especially when we had to change our original plans due to the rain. He was very open and eager to learn more about our culture, and at the same time, we could ask him anything about Japanese traditions, culture, and daily life. It was a truly enriching experience — thank you, Haruo! He’s not only the best tour guide, but also the ultimate videographer when it comes to making you look like a celebrity while crossing Shibuya Crossing!
Haruo T.
I appreciate your kind and heartwarming words. I had a great time with the tourists who were so interested in our culture and history. Especially the questions you asked me were so interesting that they induced more deep and profound explanations. Also thank you your patience and cooperation for bad weather and crowdedness. At the end of the tour I felt like strolling around Tokyo with my friends. Take care and keep in touch.
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