Joined 2020
Koichiro Y.
Available Areas
Tokyo (Living), Kamakura, Hakone
Languages
English
Response Time
2 hours on average
Availability Updated
1 day ago
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
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 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.
Your First Origami Online Workshop
Touch a tip of Japanese culture prior to your tour picking this online experience of Origami up. It is an art and a joy of paper folding which can be enjoyed by everybody interested in this oriental culture. Just with one 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.
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 the brewery visit and beautiful Japanese lunch there, you will touch nature in a suburban area in metropolitan Tokyo.
Online Introduction to Sake World
Sake, or Nihon-shu, is the most representative alcoholic beverage in Japan. Sake may be available at your place, but I'm afraid that some of them are different from real sake, or you have taken sake only at a sushi restaurant. I offer this online introduction to the Sake World with a private lesson via Zoom meeting system for you to get a basic understanding of sake before your tour to Japan.
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.
Reviews
Karl H.
“Great Guide, great day.”
Well what can we say about this all round lovely man. We went with Koichiro (Yamasan), to Hakone. Travelling by train and bus it was a great experience. Koichiro (Yamasan) was great company, his relaxed and calm approach to everything made our day go smoothly. Even before we met him we knew by his efficiency and kindness we would like him. We highly recommend Koichiro (Yamasan).
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your fantastic review comments. It was not a fine day, and we could not see Mt. Fuji, however, I relaxed knowing that you enjoyed the tour. I was happy to be with a nice and tough couple. We walked over 20,000 steps throughout the Hakone walking tour. Amazing! Thank you very much again.
Amy M.
“Great with his Sake”
He knows what he is doing. His knowledge of sake is good. Very enjoyable sake tour with him.
Koichiro Y.
Thank you so much for your review. I hope you have also enjoyed the last half of your Japan tour to Mt. Fuji and Osaka. During the sake tour, we were lucky to participate in a once-a-year festival of a very local temple and have a friendly time with some local people. You might bring home the Kumade, a happiness-collecting rake, which makes your 2025 a delightful year. Please convey my best regards to your good-drinker husband. I hope to see you again shortly for another sake tour. Yamasan
Florin B.
“Very good first day in Japan and Tokyo”
Yamasan guided us exceptionally well in our first contact with the city, the japonese culture and gardens. He sent us days before the tour plan, the interest sites and updated then a couple of times according to our interest. He was also very kind to come with us and help us solve a personal problem. We were very delighted with his services. Thank you, Yamasan!
Koichiro Y.
Thank you so much for your comment. It was a rainy day in Tokyo, and I was afraid that your first day here was not perfect. You, however, didn't complain about the rain at all during the tour and in your comment too. I was (and am still) very happy with your beautiful family, and hope you are continuously enjoying this first tour to Japan. Please contact me when you plan the second Japan tour. Will it be when your son graduates from the university?
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