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Joined 2017
Toru I.
Available Areas
Kanagawa, Tokyo, Kamakura (Living), Yokohama
Languages
English, Japanese
Response Time
7 hours on average
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide Toru I.
Hello to all of you on the screen.
My name is Toru Ishii and I am a licensed national interpretater of English language.
I have been guiding scrolling around a Japanese landscape garden designated as Scenic Beauty in Yokohama city for the last 2 years. I would like to explain about time-honored Japanese architectures, transfered from Kyoto and Kamakura, designated as Important Cultural Property.
I am also interested in Tea Ceremony and in the ritual of serving powdered green tea in the garden.
Yokohama opened its door to overseas comers in 1859 after the Meiji Restoration. The port of Yokohama shared about 70 percents of overseas trading in Japan. The main export was raw silk thread. Now the beautiful city of Yokohama has become historically exotic and ranks as one of the most fascinating internationally trading city that attracts many foreign tourists.
I am always happy to guide tourists around this historical region and Introduce the delights of Japanese cuisine and Chinese cuisine in China town according to the visitor's requests.
Stepping further out from Yokohama, I would recommend Kamakura city,
a 20 minutes train ride on the JR Line, where the visitor can feel the fresh ocean breeze. The nearby Zen Buddhist temples and the Great Buddha are main attractions and souvenir shopping adds the excitement.
Kamakura was established by the first Shogun, Yoritomo Minamoto, in 1192 and the shogunate government lasted till 1333. He established his Samurai government which ruled over Japan.
After arriving at Kamakura or Kita-Kamakura station, the visitor can easily walk around the city. This city is easily accesable by train from Yokohama (less than 30 minutes) and Tokyo (less than 1 hour).
As for my background, I have experienced staying in Louisiana in the United States and studied at the university there. Now I am 60 years old and I am still working for a company, while at the same time, I work as a volunteer guide a few days a month in Yokohama city.
I like traveling in foreign countries, and have experienced short time staying at several European countries, North America as well as some Asian countries.
Last January, I travelled San Fransico and Merced city, California.
I would be delighted to exchange cultural experience with many visitors from all over the world.
If you happen to be visiting my country and if you are interested ,
please feel free to contact me.
Toru Ishii
Important
I can guide you in Tokyo area if you pay my transportation fee.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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This Is Your Exotic Tour In Yokohama
I will guide you scrolling around the Japanese Landscape Garden, where you can experience the tea ceremony and taste powdered green tea, within three hours. (please take note the tea ceremony is now closed) You will feel relaxed in very greenery atmosphere and the beauty of Japanese cultures. After the sightseeing of the garden, I would recommend to visit at China Town and Yamashita Park. You will find the aspects of the international town of Yokohama.
This Is Your Exotic Tour In Yokohama
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This Is Your Half-Day Tour In Kamakura
I will guide you strolling around Enoshima Island, Great Buddha, Zeniarai Benzaiten. You will experience the seat of the feudal military government from the end of the 12th through the early 14th century. Also You could be relaxed by bathing in a hot spring in Kamakura if you wish. You are preferred to walk to Zeniarai Benzaiten from Great Buddha for about 30 minutes.
This Is Your Half-Day Tour In Kamakura
Reviews
Ron C.
“Recommend Toru for Yokohama and Tokyo Guide Without Reservation!”
Toru comes with an unqualified recommendation. For the months preceding our three-day tour Toru helped us fine tune a totally customized tour, which wrapped around going to see Japanese gardens, museums and eating our way through Japanese street food. I mentioned that we are both seniors. We don’t walk very fast, and I needed to stop regularly for “bio breaks”. He accommodated us throughout the three day trip by taking elevators and escalators rather than walking up the long steep stairs in the subways. He checked every once a while if we needed a break to rest. He skillfully navigated the streets to take us to the Tokyo sumo show we wanted to see, and off the beaten alley to blocks of small food shops, each specializing in one thing or another (eel skewers, raw horse anyone?). His English writing skills are like a native and we had no trouble planning the trip. His English verbal skills are good, as he has spent time living in the US. Tohru is exceptionally prompt, arriving well before the appointed time for hotel pickup, and spent time each morning going over our itinerary. He also made sure we found our way back to the hotel at the end of day for a true door to door service. We had a great time, and I hope you do too with Toru.
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Toru I.
Dear Ron C. I am afraid that your recommendation is written with very highly qualified sentences as well as wonderful recommendation for visitors in future. Once again, I appreciate very much for your recommendation. Toru I.
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Loraine B.
“Friendly and Prepared Guide for Garden and Airport transport ”
Toru was friendly, and wanted to ensure we reached our goals during our brief time in Tokyo. He met us at the Cruise Port, secured a Taxi for travel to our planned garden trip, and provided information to prepare us for the Park/Garden experience. Toru also secured our luggage with the Gate staff at no cost, which was quite helpful. As we traveled through the Garden, he provided greater detail for each of the areas and buildings, adding depth to our experience. Toru ensured we had access the restrooms, and used our time well. I learned much more context and cultural information due to Toru's knowledge and explanations. Our taxi was waiting for us at the end of our time in the garden, and we then traveled to Haneda Airport, and were delivered to out terminal, and accompanied to our check-in area. Toru stayed with us through our kiosk check-in and ensured we had dropped our bags and had all boarding documents before leaving us, in case language support was needed. He really made our brief interlude in Tokyo informative, restful, and stress free by planning for eventualities and transport needs and times. We were a bit early to check-in after a thoroughly enjoyable 4 hours, and ready for our long journey home. Thank you again, Toru!
Toru I.
Dear Loraine and Ken I thank you so much for your generous reviewing today. Recalling our garden tour, I mostly am impressed at your friendliness and lovely conversation between us. Please continue to keep sharing our culture, beauty and friendliness. Stay in safe, and see you in near future. Thank you again, Loraine and Ken! Toru
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Terry A.
“Sankeien Garden 三溪園”
Toru-san was a pleasure to have as a guide. He responded quickly to all emails and was very thorough in his communication. He arrived early and arranged for our taxis to the garden. The garden itself was absolutely beautiful. Don't spend too much time at the beginning as the inner Garden and areas farther in are the true gems. This is an idyllic sanctuary of beauty and peace. Toru-san was exceptionally polite and although he struggled with English at times it was a pleasure to have him as our guide.
Toru I.
Dear Terry, and garden lovers I am very glad to receive your review excellent. Thank you so much for joIning this tour guide. Please say hello to Dave, because he looked very tired. Enjoy three gardens in Tokyo tomrrow. Best wishes Toru, guide
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kamakura
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Kaneo U.
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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Grant A.
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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Akira S.
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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