About Tour Guide Shonosuke S.

“One of our favourite guides we have ever had....”

We had the absolute pleasure of touring Nagasaki with Sho — or “Showtime,” as we affectionately called him — and what an unforgettable experience it was. Sho’s vibrant and positive energy was contagious from the start. He made our family feel so welcomed and cared for, with a level of attentiveness and kindness that was truly inspirational. Sho’s deep knowledge of Nagasaki was exceptional. He didn’t just guide us through the city’s highlights — he introduced us to hidden gardens and lesser-known gems that brought the city to life in such a unique and personal way. His passion for both the city and for making us feel at home was clear in everything he did. Flexible, insightful, and genuinely joyful to be around, Sho was more than just a guide — he felt like part of the family by the end. I honestly wish we could adopt him and bring him on every trip with us. If you're visiting Nagasaki, I cannot recommend Sho highly enough. He is truly a gem.

Shonosuke S.

(23 reviews)

Hi Jeff! Thank you so much for your kind and amazing review. Although it poured rain on the day of the tour, thanks to all of you it turned into such a fun day that the weather didn’t stand a chance. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed my favorite spots in Nagasaki. I honestly also wish I could come along on every trip with you lol. Thank you for letting me be part of your wonderful family time. Your family was so lovely that it made me hope I can have one like yours someday. I hope your fantastic journey continues and brings you many more wonderful memories! See you again!

“Loved our day in Nagasaki with Sho! ”

We did a cruise around Japan and preferred to find local guides for each port instead of big group tours. I'm so happy we found Sho and booked his tour in Nagasaki. He was such an excellent host and ambassador for the city. We saw a great mix of important historical sites and also a glimpse into everyday life in the city. Sho even took us around his own neighbourhood and a favourite place for lunch. It was honestly like meeting up with a good friend for the day! Sho, if you ever visit Canada, send us an email - we'd love to be your "guides" and I promise there will be a big meal of fresh lobster from our area!

Shonosuke S.

(23 reviews)

Hi Charmayne! Thank you so much for your wonderful review—and for visiting Nagasaki, a city I truly love! I'm really happy to hear you enjoyed the tour (and a glimpse into my daily life!), and I hope it became one of the special memories from your time in Japan. Someday, I’d love to visit Canada and eat lobster until I’m full… :D See you again!!

“A Truly Excellent Nagasaki City Tour Guide”

What a wonderful full-day tour of Nagasaki! Shonosuke created a custom tour for us that highlighted Nagasaki's historic role as Japan's chief entrepot with the rest of the world. During our tours of Dejima and the other early foreign trading settlements of Nagasaki, Shonosuke explained how Nagasaki made early contact with Western and Chinese traders in the 16th century who introduced Western products and ideas into Japan and Japanese products and ideas to the rest of the world thus creating a uniquely Japanese cosmopolitan society. We later toured the more modern Western settlements in and around the restored buildings of the Glover Garden estates. There we and learned how in the early 1860s, Western settlers' technology and capital combined with Japanese capital and innovation to spark a political and cultural revolution that restored the Japanese emperor's political power and began Japan's rapid industrial development leading to the modern Japan we know today. Throughout our tour Shonosuke (or "Sho" as we came to know him) displayed an outstanding knowledge of Nagasaki's history as well as its current local city sights and developments. His kindness, courteouness, and flexibility made our time with him truly delightful, and his excitement about the many unique aspects of Nagasaki continually sparked our interest. Shonosuke also has a unique ability of escorting you throughout the city effortlessly and comfortably while always getting you to each sight of interest at exactly the right time. We never felt rushed and always had time to talk with him about all the events related to the sights we viewed. If you want a stimulating, interesting, and comfotable introduction to Nagasaki, Sho is the guide for you!

Shonosuke S.

(23 reviews)

Hi Mack and Shelley! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a wonderful review—and for visiting Nagasaki, a city I truly love. I couldn’t be more grateful. What I love most about Nagasaki’s history is its legacy of international exchange and multicultural coexistence, so I was really happy that you were interested in—and enjoyed—that part of the story. I had such a great time myself, and I hope it became a special memory from your time in Japan! Also, thank you so much for the lovely gifts from Louisiana! (The postcard is absolutely adorable!) I really loved them, and now I feel a special connection to Louisiana :) I imagine you might be somewhere around Kagoshima now—wishing you a continued amazing journey around Japan! See you again!