Haruo T.
Available Areas
Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Yokohama (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
9 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
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.
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.
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.
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
Kayling N.
Kamakura & Yokosuka: History of War and Peace Tour
“English translation of Yokosuka Naval Port Cruise”
Haruo T is an excellent tour guide. We booked him to take us to Sarushima Island, Mikasa Battleship and Yokosuka Naval Port Cruise. Haruo's English is very good. He explained the history of the area and pointed out interesting features which we would have otherwise missed. He even provided real-time translation of the narration onboard the Yokosuka Naval Port Cruise (the onboard narration is in Japanese only and the live narration varies every cruise depending on which vessels are currently docked in port). Haruo was flexible in accommodating our wishes e.g. when we asked to climb up the hill to look for a lunch spot. I highly recommend booking Haruo T as your tour guide. Your time in Japan will be greatly enriched by his tour guiding.
Haruo T.
(7 reviews)Dear Kayling Thank you so much for your kind review. It encouraged me to improve my future tour. I hope you continue a wonderful journey in Japan. Haruo
“Felt at ease in Japan”
We were a group of four with Haruo for 3 days of tours. He was an excellent guide who planned tours according to our interests. Haruro was indispensable in teaching us how to navigate the train, subway, and bus system. He was very flexible as we were attracted to sites and shops along the way. Haruro was consistently patient answering our questions. We would highly recommend him to first time visitors to Japan.
Haruo T.
(7 reviews)Thank you, Robert, Rose, Dan, and Lorry. It is me that have to thank you. I have enjoyed the tour with you. This message encourages me to improve my guide business. I pray Great Buddha for your safe and wonderful trip in Japan.
“First day in Tokyo”
Sadly it was rainy and very windy so our trip itinerary changed significantly. However the highlight of our day was the ability to use the public transit system which allowed the remainder of our time in Tokyo the freedom to move around the city with confidence. Hauro was excellent at helping us book things before we arrived and offered good suggestions. However if it is a rainy day perhaps research some alternate ideas. Lunch at 1030 wasn’t ideal! However, we are easy going. Thanks for the intro to the transit Hauro! .
Haruo T.
(7 reviews)Dear Cheryl Thank you for your heartwarming comment. This will help you to improve my tour and guiding. Haruo