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Joined 2020
Koichiro Y.
Available Areas
Tokyo (Living), Hakone, Kamakura
Languages
English
Response Time
5 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
About Tour Guide Koichiro Y.
Hello! I’m Koichiro. Please call me “Yamasan”. It derives from my family name and my friends call me so.
I worked for a machinery company as a project manager and engineer for mechanical and electrical construction projects both domestic and overseas for over 35 years. I recall my first overseas project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when I was 26, and the second was in Singapore. I visited many countries for surveys, meetings, commissioning, project handing over, and so on.
In 2014 at the age of 60, I decided to retire from the company and live the expected further 30 years of life with a new career and experiences. I, then, studied translation and guide interpretation. I passed the national examination for licensed guides (English) in 2015 and registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in February 2016.
Until now, I have been guiding many beautiful guests mainly to popular sightseeing spots such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Omote-Sando, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Tokyo Skytree, and also cultural experiences of Origami making, Furoshiki wrapping, and Sushi cooking.
I am happy that I can freely arrange a customized tour together with you, or can propose my tours to you. I want to show you some parts of daily Tokyo life and introduce you to Bunkyo City which is located in the heart of Tokyo, just north of Chiyoda City where the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station are. The city is Tokyo’s typical residential and academic area where I was born, grew up, and live a happy life now.
Now, we can tour around the world but have not yet overcome COVID-19 completely. Recently, the number of passengers wearing masks on public transportation in Tokyo reduced to some 25% but we should mind about it still. Please carry your mask to wear it where or when necessary (December 2024, Yamasan).
Important
The inbound tour has been resumed. Wearing a mask depends on individual decisions, and you can enjoy tours and cultural experiences in Japan now.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Japanese Gardens and Tokyo Life: Bunkyo City Customized Tour
Bunkyo City is in the heart of central Tokyo, just north of Chiyoda City where the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station are. The city is Tokyo’s typical residential and academic area where I was born, grew up, and live now. We'll move around the city with a Bunkyo City Community Bus, B-guru ( “beagle”, the mascot character of the bus), and visit Edo-Tokyo Japanese gardens and other calm and pleasant sites. You'll also catch a glimpse of Tokyo citizens’ life during the tour.
Japanese Gardens and Tokyo Life: Bunkyo City Customized Tour
Tokyo Sake Brewery Tour plus One
You are interested in Sake, aren’t you? Sake is popularly explained as “rice wine”, but the expression is not correct. On this tour, you will visit Ozawa Shuzo in Ome City, Tokyo, and learn about various issues on sake. After beautiful Japanese lunch, the brewery visit, and tasting of various types of sake there, you will touch nature in a suburban area in metropolitan Tokyo.
Tokyo Sake Brewery Tour plus One
Japanese Gardens and Origami Workshop in Central Tokyo
The tour consists of two characteristic Japanese cultures; typical strolling style Japanese gardens, Rikugien, and origami paper folding. Rikugien is one of nine Japanese gardens in the Tokyo Metropolis. Its strolling-style garden has a fine and warm touch with scenery images from classical Japanese poems. After the visit, you will be invited to the guide’s residence nearby, and have a joyful origami workshop of 90 minutes.
Japanese Gardens and Origami Workshop in Central Tokyo
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Your First Origami Online Workshop
Touch the tip of Japanese culture prior to your tour by picking up this online experience of Origami. It is an art and a joy of paper folding which can be enjoyed by everybody interested in this oriental culture. With just an hour workshop, you will be able to create your own Origami works such as a great samurai helmet, a pretty butterfly, a joyful jumping frog, a paper container for candies, and a traditional Japanese crane (orizuru) from square sheets of paper.
Your First Origami Online Workshop
Tokyo Sake Brewery and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Toshimaya Shuzo is one of ten sake breweries in Tokyo. It is located in a residential area in Higashi-Murayama City not far from central Tokyo. They organize brewery tours on Saturdays and guide their facilities introducing their sake brewing philosophies and offering several types of their sake products for tasting. In the afternoon, the tour visits Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei Park in Koganei City on the way back to central Tokyo.
Tokyo Sake Brewery and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
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Tokyo Staple Spots for First Visitors
Welcome to Tokyo! This tour is a walking tour designed for first-time visitors to Tokyo and includes the six most popular and essential spots of Tsukiji Outer Market, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Omotesando Shopping Street, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa. Number of visiting spots and visiting order may be reviewed referring to guests' requirements, location of their accommodation, weather conditions, etc.
Tokyo Staple Spots for First Visitors
Reviews
Julie C.
“New Edo Era Museum + more”
We cannot speak highly enough of Koichiro Y who guided us on an historical tour of Japan at the new Edo Era Museum. He met us at our hotel and accompanied us throughout the day, introducing us to many aspects of Japanese culture, everyday life, the public transport system and especially to Edo Era history at the extremely impressive new museum in Tokyo. Koichiro Y is a knowledgeable guide, who communicates thoughtfully in perfect English. He adapted the tour to suit our needs and interests. He is a kind, competent and generous man. We are grateful to him for a most memorable day in Tokyo.
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Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your great review comments. It's too much for me. I have to improve my English more. The renovated Edo-Tokyo Museum was fantastic, but we needed more time to learn more about Edo Era and modernized Japan after Meiji Restoration. I want to guide you beautiful Japanese gardens and other aspects of Tokyo too. Please enjoy you cruise tour around Japan!
Jacob F.
“Great guide in Tokyo”
Koichiro Y. (Yamasan) was one of the best tour guides my wife and I ever had! He is a very knowledgeable, soft-spoken, and highly energetic man with a very good command of English. While spending time with Yamasan, we felt he was for us like an old friend and very personal. Walking with him through various places in Tokyo made our trip not only enjoyable and educational but also made us feel at home in Japan. I highly recommend Yamasan to anyone visiting Tokyo.
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Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your great comment. I also felt that we were old friends each other, and enjoyed happy time with you. You might have nice days in Osaka too, assuming you could try some more new Japanese dishes for you. See you again next year (?).
Naila C.
“One Day Tour to Hakone”
Had a wonderful and interesting tour with Koichiro san! I recommend him highly. Thank you Koichiro san.
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Koichiro Y.
Thank you so much for your nice and quick review comment. I also enjoyed a good tour with you. There were unexpected number of visitors but no Mt. Fuji today. However, I feel relaxed hearing your comment. Please enjoy your remaining days in Tokyo. Thank you again, Yamasan
Other Popular Tour Guides in Tokyo
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Hardy M.
Being a former student and staff member of the University of Tokyo, I have a natural ability to communicate with people from all corners of the world. Regardless of whether you prefer to speak English, French, or Globish with me ! I have practiced Aikido, Iaido (Katana), and Kyudo (Bow) martial arts, and I have also worked on the restoration of Japanese armor. Therefore, I am well-versed in the art of war in ancient Japan. But my passion for history goes further, and during my guided tours, I will share various anecdotes that will bring ancient Japan to life for you ! I'm also a huge fan of old Japanese video games, especially RPGs, so if you want a true otaku experience, follow me to Nakano Broadway and Akihabara! If you're interested in arranging a tour that's tailored to your preferences, feel free to send me a message !
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Shin N.
Welcome to Japan! I'm Shin. I have been an English Guide in Japan more than10 years. I can guide Tokyo, Kanagawa and almost all metropolitan sightseeing and walking spots. I was born in Kobe, grown up in Osaka, and studied in Kyoto, so not only Tokyo but I also have a good knowledge of Japanese historical cities. I love talking about Japanese food & culture, walking quiet narrow streets, drinking tasty Japanese whisky, Sumo, Rugby & Sports, and Japanese mountains. I climbed Mt. Fuji 18 times with foreign guests. We enjoyed the auspicious moments of sunrising from the summit. I would like to support you to make your stay in Japan memorable and precious one. It is grateful if you refer to my proposed tour schedule, in the case you have your own interests, I am happy to tailor the tour schedule responding your requests. Please feel free to contact me. I look forward to sharing wonderful time in Japan with you. Be my guest!
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Grant A.
Important note: I am currently not able to take new customers after the end of March, 2026. My name is Grant, and I’ve spent over a decade living and exploring Japan. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, I first came to Japan as a high school exchange student in Inuyama, a historic castle town in Aichi. My love for Japan began early—sparked by childhood games like Pokémon that were released in Japanese before English. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for Japanese language, culture, and history. I hold an N2 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, a degree in Asian Studies from a Tokyo university, and I graduated from the Japan Visual Media Translation Academy. I’ve visited all 47 prefectures and explored a wide range of historical sites, shrines, and castles throughout the country. My background in Japanese history helps me provide context that brings depth and meaning to the places we visit—whether it's understanding a centuries-old temple in Kyoto, the story behind a castle ruin, or uncovering the historical layers of a Tokyo neighborhood. If you’re planning to explore Tokyo, here are some tour options to consider: One day in Tokyo? The Ginza Line Tour offers a great introduction to the city’s highlights. Two days? Pair the East Tokyo Tour and West Tokyo Tour to get a well-rounded experience. Interested in anime? The Anime Tour is flexible and can be tailored to match your specific interests. For those looking to go beyond the city, I also offer day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, and other nearby destinations. Full-Day Tour: 40,000 yen (8 hours) Full-Day Tour Outside of Tokyo: 40,000 yen + transportation Feel free to get in touch to plan a tour that fits your interests and travel plans.
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