Joined 2023
Tomohiko K.
Available Areas
Aomori (Living), Hakodate
Languages
English, Japanese (Native), Russian
Response Time
17 hours on average
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide Tomohiko K.
*I am generally unavailable on Weekdays however if you schedule at least a week in advance, I am available all days*
*Please contact me if you have any questions!*
Hello, my name is Tomohiko! I am from Aomori City and have lived here for over 60 years.
I love traveling and have already visited more than 30 nations so far. After my official retirement as a public officer, I obtained the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide foreign tourists all over the world.
Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt. Fuji...but is actually from Aomori Prefecture' Fujisaki town? Aomori is proud to be the biggest apple producer in Japan. In Hirosaki city alone, there are over 40 apple-pie restaurants.
・Let's enjoy real Japanese culture and history together! Let's experience real Samurai history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle, Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
・I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about - let's go on an adventure together!
・If you like sushi and fresh seafood - let me introduce to you Nokkedon ? What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you!
<Qualifications>
・Chairman of Aomori International Voluntary Association (AIVA)
・Part-time Lecturer, Aomori City Higher Nursing Academy
・National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter
・ Medical interpreter who have passed the Ministry of Health, Labor
and Welfare's "Medical Interpretation Curriculum Standards"
examination.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
Hirosaki City - The Original Castle Keep
Hirosaki has many attractions, such as the thousands of ancient cherry trees, surrounding the castle and is Japan’s biggest apple producer. There are about 50 apple-pie restaurants. Hirosaki grew up around its castle, protected by Shinto Shrines to the north and Buddhism temples to the south-west. Come with me and I'll share my extensive knowledge about the city and make this a memorable experience! *This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee. Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 50,000yen every 6 hours
Aomori - Mountainous Seaside City
Aomori city is the capital city of the Aomori prefecture with 280,000 population, connecting Tokyo and Aomori by the Shinkansen, or bullet train in 3 hours or 1 hour flight. The city a major trading hub so you can eat the freshest produce, learn about the ancient Jomon people and their rope-patterned pottery, and visit the UNESCO designated word heritage site! Let me show you my beloved hometown! *This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee. Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 50,000yen every 6 hours
Hakodate - Hokkaido's Port City
Welcome to Hakodate! With many things to see and great foods to eat, come for the shopping and gourmet experiences! Let's stroll around the many historic buildings dating back 100+ yrs. Serene in the morning, dramatically illuminated at night, the ever-changing face of Hakodate offers scenery that is not be missed. *The price difference compared to Aomori is due to transportation and accommodation* *This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee. Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 60,000yen every 6 hours
Kuroishi - The Black and White Stoned City
Kuroishi is surrounded by rich nature. As you walk around the city, you can experience the Edo Samurai era and feel like you have traveled 400 years in the past. Much of the architecture has remained the same since decades ago. The city offers some of the best sake in all of Japan. Let’s enjoy exploring, eating around, tasting sake and everything that Kuroishi has to offer! *This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee. Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 50,000yen every 6 hours
Reviews
Mark R.
“Cherry Blossom Delight”
Once again, another special thank you to Tomohiko for another memorable day. We were very lucky to have Tomohiko guiding us for two days, one day in Aomori and today in Hakodate. Upon booking my tours many months ago, I had great communication with Tomohiko regarding our bookings. This morning, Tomohiko once again met us at the cruise port and off we went for another great day of seeing the beauty of Japan during cherry blossom season. Like I mentioned in another review, Tomohiko is an incredibly knowledgeable and caring guide, who was always willing to answer questions and provide us with the local history. Tomohiko provided a unique prospective of Hakodate’s history and lifestyle. Arriving in late April, we were truly lucky to experience the cherry blossoms. The view from the Goryōkaku Tower of the fort below was incredible as the cherry trees were in full bloom. Our visit Saruyama Hotsprings to see the monkeys lounging around in the hot spring on a cold cloudy day was entertaining to say the least. Our drive to the top of Mount Hakodate gave an interesting prospective (view) of the city. After a short stop at the Russian Orthodox Church, and Tomohiko telling the history of the Russians in Hakodate, which dated back to around the 1850’s, it was interesting to learn there still is a small Russian presence in the city. Besides a short shopping stop, we ended the day at a local Ramen restaurant. This was definitely a great culinary treat! Based upon this restaurant’s reputation, this is place you would most likely never find or think about going into as a tourist. A must stop if you’re hungry for Japanese style noodles. Listen to Tomohiko’s lunch suggestion. Like yesterday, this day was a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you Tomohiko.
Tomohiko K.
Dear Mark Richard I am very honored to have an excellent review about my guide from you again !!!!! I is seemed that you are now on voyage on way back to USA. Did you enjoyed Japan tour ? ! Now in Aomori and Hirosaki, Apple tree flowers are in bloom. Fuji Apple teee flower just starts to be in bloom. We will enjoy picking apples up from August to November. Please come to visit Japan in Autumn again and again ! I and Monkeys are waiting for you, --- smile ---- ---. Thanks so much for joining my tour again. Best regards Tomohiko Kudo.
Mark R.
“A beautiful day filled with cherry blossoms.”
A special thank you to Tomohiko for a memorable day. Upon booking this tour many months ago, I had great communication with Tomohiko regarding our tour. The morning of the tour Tomohiko met us at the cruise port and after attending a tea ceremony, off we went to see the sights of Aomori and its surrounding areas. Tomohiko is an incredibly knowledgeable and caring guide, who was always willing to answer questions and provide us with the local history. Being a long time resident of Aomori, Tomohiko provided a unique prospective of Aomori’s history and lifestyle. Arriving in late April, we were truly lucky to experience the cherry blossoms. The lake and park at Tsuruta Mawarizeki (Fuji Miko Park) were incredibly beautiful and a memorable experience, as the area was filled with pink cherry blossoms. Later in the day a or visit to Saishoin Temple and Hirosaki Castle was equally beautiful. This was a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you Tomohiko.
Tomohiko K.
【Guided tour of Hirosaki, Tsuruata in Aomori and Hakodate in Hokkaido, April 27-28, 2025】 Dear Mark Richards. I am very honored to have an excellent review about my guide from you. I was very glad guided you to Tsuruata, avoiding crowded places, and visited Tsugaru Fujimi Lake Park. This is yourt hird visit to Japan, following their trips to Hakodate in July 2024 and Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara in October of the same year. We had soba for lunch at Shimizu in Hirosaki. In Hakodate, Goryokaku Park was in full bloom with cherry blossoms. A comment about Hijikata Toshizo: "He is like Tom Cruise!" Then, we visited the monkey hot springs Mount Hakodate Kanamori Waterfront. For lunch, we had Hakodate salty ramen at Omachi Fukufukutei. Tomorrow in Akita (April 29) was going to be a port departure (for reasons other than weather), so you intended to return via the Aleutian Islands, arriving in Seattle on May 8. You love Hakodate and will visit again this fall with your son, making this forth third trip to Hakodate. I am looking forward to seeing you in Hakodate again. Best regards, Tomohiko Kudo, tour guide in Aomori city, Japan.
Carla R.
“Simply the Best!”
This was our second tout with Tomohiko Kudo. He is a true professional and the best guide for Aomori and Hakodate. He was creative and flexible and in addition to the things we planned, added other things such as visiting shrines and showing us around beyond what was planned. He is personable, and a great conversationalist. Highly recommend.
Tomohiko K.
Hi Carla! I was very delighed to guide you in Hakodate and also, I am greatly honored to have your wonderful review for my guiding you! I am looking forward to seeing and guiding you again any seasons in Hakodate someday. Please enjoy Hokkaido! I wish you healthy and good luck. Best regards Tomohiko Kudo. 【Hakodate City Tour on 19th March 2025 】 14:30 At Goryokaku 5-star shaped Fort 15:30 Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden You can enjoy exotic flowers and trees in the south live in the northern city of Hakodate. Japanese Monkeys warm up in the hot spring 16:30 Hakodate Hachiman Temple West Side Hakodate Historic Sites for preserving Japanese and Western buildings, such as temples, shirines, the Chatoric and protestant churches, the Hakodate Russian Orthodic Church. Non-Japanese Graveyards. Koryuuji Temple. Port for squid-fishing boats. 18:00 Mt. Hakodate Ropeway Let's take the ropeway up Mt. Hakodate! With ideal weather conditions, the top of the mountain has a breathtaking view. After riding the ropeway, you can see the Honshu Island beyond the Tsugaru strait which is the international strait. In the summit building, there is a souvenir shop, a snack stand, a restaurant and a cafe-bar. 19:00 You can enjoy dinner special to Hakodate, such as Hakodate Ramen with solt based soup, Japanse Sake special to Hokkaido. Best regards, Tomohiko Kudo
