/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/88495.jpg)
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
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5162/117230.jpg)
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
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5142/90113.jpg)
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 Sake Brewery in Ome City, Tokyo, and learn about various issues related to sake. After a beautiful Japanese lunch, the brewery visit, and tasting of various types of sake, 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
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5369/91769.jpg)
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
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/10956/162065.jpg)
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
Leonardo lorena L.
“Day tour in Tokyo eith Yamasan”
We had the great opportunity to walk around Tokyo with Mr Yamasan on our 1st day in the city. We took the tour throught the city on a Wednesday - on this day, some of the stores of Tsukiji fish market are closed. He explained that in advance, but we went there anyway and it was worth! Besides that we went to other places: imperial palace, shrines and temples. He is very kind, strong walker and helpfull. We totally recomend Yamasan for a day trip in Tokyo! Thanks Yamasan! It was an unforguntable day and Tokyo experience. We Wish you all the best and hope to meet tou again in the near future. Best regatds
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/88495.jpg)
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your great comment. In Wednesday's Tsukiji Outer Market, not all shops were open because of the closure of Toyosu wholesale market, but a smaller number of visitors allowed us to walk easily seeing many impressive shops. The itinerary was prepared selecting popular spots for the first visitors to Tokyo, and I'd like to arrange more specific spots for your next visit. I hope that in the nearest future.
Jonathan C.
“Yamasan Koichiro - fantastic!”
Four of us had a wonderful time with Yamasan on the Sake Brewery Tour. He is a superlative guide who communicated well and even created printed explanations of sake and the brewing process. He is very intelligent, knowledgeable, and thoughtful. We are thankful for the experience he has given us.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/88495.jpg)
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your beautiful comment. I was happy to be with you and to have joyful and friendly communication throughout the tour. Pickleball, which connects your two families, was a new sport for me. I mentioned it might have another name in Japan, but that was incorrect. Picklegall is a new sport in Japan, and it is also pickleball. Please enjoy the remaining days in Japan.
Deena S.
“Visit to Sumo Museum, and Famous Kiyosumi Garden”
Thank you sooo much to Mr Yamasan for arranging a very interesting and informative morning indeed. I really appreciated his general knowledge and grasp of the English language. It was a fun time and Yamasan was very kind and prepared for the tour well. Hontoo ni arigatoo gozaimashita.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/88495.jpg)
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your great comment. It was a very short tour, and most of the museums in Tokyo were closed on that day. I was wondering how I could satisfy you in the limited time; however, at Fukagawa Edo Museum, we could feel like being in an Edo town, and there were also displays regarding Sumo. It was especially nice, since we visited the Sumo town of Ryogoku and saw some Sumo wrestlers first that morning.
Other Popular Tour Guides in Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/84466/9761a57a-7390-4df1-a97f-96a17a0dcfcf.png)
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 !
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/57838/e1b7787b-1c2b-43d5-8a07-90b3087647a0.png)
Atsushi K.
I have been working for the business with American companies for many years and have many experiences guiding customers from all over the world, from Japan to the USA and Europe. I lived in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for five years and loved to drive around Europe, the USA, and Japan. I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter and want to introduce Japanese traditional culture to people worldwide who are interested in it. I can be your guide in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kamakura for your enjoyable time in Japan.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/7038/9d38e961-111e-46e9-8b51-c78b5f910bd7.png)
Yoshi S.
Hello, I'm Yoshi!! I started my second career as a tour guide after retiring from the Japanese computer company I had worked for about 40 years. I was born in Asakusa and grew up in down town in Tokyo. I’m married with two daughters and three grandchildren, two girls and a boy. I've experienced guiding international visitors in Tokyo and other famous sightseeing spots as a guide for several years. I will be so happy to help you enjoy your stay in Japan. Look forward to joining my tour!!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/7030/291e1e6c-72f0-488b-90d5-64bb8c0ce291.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/87941.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/87944.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/87943.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/87942.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27755/87945.jpg)