Joined 2017
Takao M.
Available Areas
Kanagawa (Living), Kamakura, Hakone
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
12 hours on average
Availability Updated
--
About Tour Guide Takao M.
Hi, I'm Takao. I like walking with my friends in the mountains, along rivers and beaches, and visiting historical places and museums. Usually, after enjoying these places, we take a dip in hot springs and drink beer.
As a guide, however, I'll take up places easy to walk around. I assume not many people from abroad are prepared for sweating activities.
If you like, though, I can modify my plan, connecting with a short hiking, hot bath and a drinking place.
Important
1. The fee doesn't include the tourists' transportation fees.
2. The fee doesn't include the tourists' meals or beverages.
3. The fee doesn't include admission charges for visiting places or charges for hands-on activities.
4. Tourists pay the guide's transportation fees.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
Hakone One-Day Trip
Hakone One-Day Trip
Tramping the Old Hakone Path of Cobblestones
Tramping the Old Hakone Path of Cobblestones
Soul-Exploring Trip of Kamakura and Sutra Copying
Soul-Exploring Trip of Kamakura and Sutra Copying
Soul-Exploring Trip of Hase Temple, the Great Buddha in Kamakura
Soul-Exploring Trip of Hase Temple, the Great Buddha in Kamakura
Tramping the Old Hakone Path (Earlier Start＋Hakone Shrine)
Tramping the Old Hakone Path (Earlier Start＋Hakone Shrine)
Reviews
Frances H.
“Good tour experience”
I have a good experience with the public transport tour with Takao. Takao provided valuable guidance especially for a first timer like me. I saw much of Hakone through the public transportation. I highly recommend Takao should you want such experience. Thank you Takao san, very much appreciate your great tour.
Takao M.
Dear Frances and Daria, Thank you so much for your kind cooperation and such a generous review of my guiding. I’m truly grateful for the wonderful opportunity to share and appreciate the beauty of Hakone, its delicious cuisine, and the joy of our friendly conversations. My wife placed your gift of sweets on our family’s Buddhist altar and offered thanks for your kindness as well. Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey ahead. With warmest regards, Takao Mizushima
Owen I.
“Great Tour of Hakone”
Excellent tour of Hakone! Would 100% recommend if you’re thinking about going on a tour of Hakone.
Takao M.
Dear Owen and Sarah. Your constant smiles moved me although it rained everywhere we went and nothing was visible from the ship, ropeway nor cable car. The Hakone Shrine deity surely thanked you for visiting in the rain. Have a nice trip! Best regards, Takao Mizushima
Paola M.
“Poor English, not resourceful ”
The company itself or some AI must be the one that replied to my massages since Takao, even though a sweet gentleman, can barely speak English and is not resourceful or informed about the area.
Takao M.
Sorry, Paola. We lost about 90 minutes yesterday because the strong wind forced the ropeway to stop, and we had to return to our starting point. I chose that route because: 1. I wanted you to experience a cable car ride. 2. I wanted to minimize the use of buses that don’t accept the Hakone Freepass. The bus ride from the cable car terminal to the highest point of Owakudani Valley is the shortest option. 3. The only buses that reach the volcanic valley when the ropeway is stopped are the ones that don’t accept the pass. 4. There were so many people in line ahead of us that I couldn’t predict how many buses we’d have to wait for. 5. We called all the taxi companies, but none were available due to high demand. Despite this setback, we still managed to experience three out of the four attractions you considered a “must”—the ropeway, pirate ship, cable car, and open-air museum. Mt. Fuji wasn’t visible, and the ropeway was stopped, so we missed out on the great view from it. Unfortunately, that meant we lost two of the main highlights of the tour, and I didn’t have many opportunities to explain the scenery. Still, I did my best to make the tour worthwhile by sharing whatever thoughts came to mind. I truly enjoyed our conversations! I use AI to refine my written English, but I don’t rely on it for speaking. Improving my English is something I truly care about. I sincerely appreciate your understanding. Thank you. Best regards, Takao
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kanagawa
Hiro Y.
Hello, my dear would-be guests! My name is Hiroko. People call me Hiro for short. I am a government licensed guide. Here I am to make your time in a tour full of fun and provide you an unforgettable travel experience of your life. I grew up and live in Yokohama that is adjacent to Tokyo. After many years of several English-related job experiences, such as translating, teaching, desk work, etc., I finally found this job, tour guide, which is a perfect fit for my true nature. I love meeting people, having fun with people, and am always looking for something interesting wanting to share it with people. How about spending a part of your precious time here in Japan with this cheerful, friendly and well-informed tour guide, Hiro?
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
Sumita Y.
I have been involved in international affairs in my career, and I got qualified as a national guided interpreter in 2016. Since then, I have guided tourists from various countries such as US, Holland, Canada, France, Spain, Singapore, Mexico, China and Australia. Places I have guided are major tourist spots such as Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka, Imperial Palace, Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji Outer Market, Harajuku, Shibuya, Ginza and more. I will do my best to make your trip be more impressive and memorable.
