About Tour Guide Hiromi O.

I'm a National Licensed Guide Interpreter with over five years of experience, having guided more than 1,000 guests from around the world. Based in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, I offer tours that connect travelers with the rich nature, culture, and history of the region.

Before becoming a guide, I worked at global investment banks in Tokyo, where I communicated daily in English with colleagues around the world. I later returned to my hometown to embrace a slower pace of life and reconnect with the natural beauty of this area.

Yamagata is a wonderful destination for those who appreciate nature and rural charm. Tsuruoka and its surrounding area, nestled between the Sea of Japan and scenic mountain ranges, offer cultural experiences you won't find anywhere else. Highlights include visiting temples of Sokushinbutsu (self-mummified monks), climbing 2,446 stone steps to the summit of a sacred mountain, encountering the mystical world of jellyfish, enjoying a rich culinary heritage, exploring local crafts, and much more.

I truly love my hometown and am passionate about helping visitors create unforgettable memories here. I look forward to meeting you and sharing the beauty and culture of Tsuruoka!

<How to get Tsuruoka from Tokyo>

By JR - Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Niigata, then transfer to the Limited Express Inaho bound for Tsuruoka. The total journey takes about 4 hours from JR Tokyo Station.

By bus - Overnight buses depart around 10 PM from Shinjuku and Shibuya in Tokyo, arriving in Tsuruoka around 6 AM. Please check the bus company’s website for details.

By air - ANA operates direct flights between Haneda Airport and Shonai Airport approximately five times a day.