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With some of my wonderful guests in Kamakura!
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A gorgeous bamboo forest in Kamakura
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A view of Mt. Fuji's silhouette at sunset
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A traditional villa at Sankei-en in Yokohama
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The main gate at Kencho-ji in Kamakura.
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A stunning view of downtown Yokohama at night
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Downtown Yokohama during the day!
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A beautiful view of the ocean and surrounding mountains from the Shojo-ken observatory in kamakura.
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Hiking on the Ten-en Hiking Trail.
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The serene gardens of Jomyo-ji
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The demon Tengu and his meancing minions stand guard by this shrine in Kamakura.
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Joined 2023
John L.
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Date
People
Available Areas
Kanagawa (Living), Tokyo, Kamakura, Yokohama
Languages
English (Native), Japanese
Response Time
7 hours on average
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide John L.
Hi travelers, I'm John! I'm a part-time teacher and a full-time history nerd, and I've lived in the Tokyo/Yokohama/Kamakura area for 6 years. If you're looking for a fun time hiking up some small mountains and avoiding the crowds by hitting up lesser-known(but still amazing) sights, then I'm your guy! Or, if you want to hit up all the big sights and be wowed by their splendor, I'm still your guy! So, let's get out there, have some fun, and I'll teach you all I know about Japan and its wonders!
Also, being a vegetarian, I know all the best veg-friendly places in the area, so I'm an excellent for vegetarians and vegans.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Highlights
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Off the Beaten Path
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Kamakura
4 hours
Haunted Kamakura
Being the site of mass suicides, WW2 combat training drills gone wrong, and ancient battlefields, Kamakura is a perfect breeding ground for supernatural occurences and scary stories. Come with me and we'll go and see some of the spookiest sites in Kamakura, along with some of the highlights!
Haunted Kamakura
FROM$77/ per group
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Kamakura
4 hours
Hiking and Bamboo Forests in Kamakura!! 4-Hour Tour With a Historian
Hi, I'm John, and I specialize in informative yet irreverent tours full of fun facts and surprising truths. On this tour, we'll take a hike around Kamakura's ancient mountain trails which are flanked by shrines, graves, statues, and of course gorgeous natural beauty! We will also visit one of Kamakura's most beautiful temples and take in its stunning bamboo forest.
Hiking and Bamboo Forests in Kamakura!! 4-Hour Tour With a Historian
FROM$52/ per group
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Yokohama
8 hours
The Best of Yokohama With a Historian
Hi, I'm John, and I specialize in informative yet irreverent tours full of fun facts and surprising truths. Here in Yokohama, the point of genesis for modern Japan, I'll let you in on the history of foreign settlement in Japan and Japan's economic development in the 19th century. As a bonus, we'll visit one of the best open-air architectural museums in the nation, letting you take in traditional architecture from all over Japan in just one place.
The Best of Yokohama With a Historian
FROM$64/ per group
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Kamakura
8 hours
Let's Get (history) Nerdy! Customizable Full-Day Kamakura Tour
Hi, I'm John, and I offer informative yet irreverent tours full of fun facts and surprising truths. Come with me, a Japanese history major, and explore the capital of Japan's first samurai rulers! I do all the reading so that you don't have to! Please let me know if there's anything in particular that you want to see or avoid during our trip, and I will change the itinerary to suit your needs. I even have ideas for nature-lovers and people who want to avoid crowds! See the example below.
Let's Get (history) Nerdy! Customizable Full-Day Kamakura Tour
FROM$64/ per group
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kanagawa
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Japan
Grant A.
4.97 / 5
(116 reviews)
4.97 / 5
(116 reviews)
Hello! 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. While most guests book Tokyo-based tours, I also guide in other regions—especially Kyoto, where I’ve visited every World Heritage Site. I regularly lead tours in Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Hikone, and other locations easily reached by rail. Multi-day and custom tours are available on request. 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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Japan
Kaneo U.
4.99 / 5
(75 reviews)
4.99 / 5
(75 reviews)
I’m so excited to have a chance to show you around my favorite spots in Kanagawa prefecture. I was born in Kanagawa. I spent my whole school life, including university, here in Kanagawa. I worked as a high school English teacher here for more than 40 years. I love Kanagawa so much. We have many interesting tourist spots, like Hakone, Kamakura, Enoshima and Yokohama. I got my tour guide license in English in 2009. I am still an English teacher. To give an interesting and impressive lesson to young high school students, I’ve learnt and gathered many kinds of information. I also have a license to teach social studies, so I have a wide range of knowledge about Japanese culture and history. I’m sure to provide you an interesting tour.
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Japan
Akira S.
4.87 / 5
(54 reviews)
4.87 / 5
(54 reviews)
Hello. I'm Akira.S. I've just finished working as a mentor for new young teachers of public junior high schools after long time career as a teacher. I’m so interested in guiding popular sightseeing spots and also hidden areas in and around Tokyo to you. I love this job because I have a lot of chances to meet nice people from various countries. I'm really looking forward to meeting persons interested in Japanese culture and history like YOU. I really hope you touch Japanese cultures, including Japanese cuisines. I’m coming up with a tour plan based on your interest.
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Japan
Sumita Y.
4.88 / 5
(8 reviews)
4.88 / 5
(8 reviews)