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