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Joined 2025
Hardy M.
Available Areas
Tokyo (Living)
Languages
English, French (Native), Japanese
Response Time
10 hours on average
Availability Updated
5 days ago
About Tour Guide Hardy M.
Being a former student and staff member of the University of Tokyo,
I have a natural ability to communicate with people from all corners of the world.
Regardless of whether you prefer to speak English, French, or Globish with me !
I have practiced Aikido, Iaido (Katana), and Kyudo (Bow) martial arts, and I have also worked on the restoration of Japanese armor. Therefore, I am well-versed in the art of war in ancient Japan.
But my passion for history goes further, and during my guided tours, I will share various anecdotes that will bring ancient Japan to life for you !
I'm also a huge fan of old Japanese video games, especially RPGs, so if you want a true otaku experience, follow me to Nakano Broadway and Akihabara!
If you're interested in arranging a tour that's tailored to your preferences, feel free to send me a message !
Important
I am unable to make bookings for customers (e.g. chartered taxi / accommodation....), but I can provide guidance and end my tour at a specific location upon request.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Once upon a time in Asakusa: Handicraft & Samurai
The Edo period, when Tokyo became the capital, is often seen as the peak of Japanese art and culture! Temple architecture, woodworking, woodblock prints, porcelain... I will use traditional handicrafts to illustrate the history and lifestyle of the people of Tokyo. Who were the samurai? What difference with a Ninja? How were armors crafted? I am also going to teach you all you need to know about those fierce warriors in front of a large collection of authentic weapons & armors.
Once upon a time in Asakusa: Handicraft & Samurai
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Nakano & Koenji: Otaku & Punk Culture !
Dive into Japanese Otaku and Punk subcultures only 10 minutes away from Tokyo. Nakano Broadway is a cheaper and easier alternative to Akihabara for Anime, Manga, Figurine, and Video Games lovers. Thus, I highly recommend visiting Nakano Broadway first and then heading to Akihabara. Koenji is the hub of Punk, alternative rock, and Gothic subculture in Tokyo, and it has a lot of vintage clothing stores. Also, there are a lot of barbecue bars in the vicinity of the station.
Nakano & Koenji: Otaku & Punk Culture !
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Mt. Takao: temples, monkeys & waterfall
Get the Tengu's protection with an easy forest trail just 1h from Tokyo! The temple devoted to those deities, is surrounded by centuries-old trees, home of flying squirrels and monkeys. With along the way waterfalls still in use by monks for meditation. Mt. Takao hiking is relatively easy and only requires comfortable shoes, and if the weather is favorable, Mt. Fuji can be seen at the submit! And in the old town, restaurants and snacks offer a different taste than the capital.
Mt. Takao: temples, monkeys & waterfall
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Harajuku: Between a frantic street & tranquil forest!
Harajuku is like Japan; a place where ancestral traditions meet with modern society! On one side, Meiji Jingu, a tranquil century-old forest home of a majestic Imperial temple. On the other side, Takeshita Street, a vibrant and frantic place to be for young Japanese, known for its cosplay & Gothic shops. But also Omotesando, equivalent to Paris "Champs-Élysées", large avenue full of the most famous luxury brands shops.
Harajuku: Between a frantic street & tranquil forest!
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History of Tokyo Bay: Battleships & Industrialization of Japan
Take a day to discover how the destiny of Tokyo & Japan was shaped by the Tokyo Bay! From Yokohama, the first industrial port, to boarding the Mikasa, once the flagship of the imperial Navy. Let me tell you the complex love story between the Japanese & the sea, with centuries-old and modern ships of the Japanese & American navies as a backdrop. Traveling along the Miura Peninsula coast, you will discover what most of Japan is really like: small towns nestled between mountains and rivers / sea.
History of Tokyo Bay: Battleships & Industrialization of Japan
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Akihabara: Hub of all Japanese pop culture!
Let me tell you the incredible story of Akihabara, the post-war electric town that became the Japanese capital for the otakus subculture: Anime, Manga, Video Games, and cosplay! Then, once you are more familiar with this labyrinth of a place, I will guide you to the best shops according to your preferences. And let's not forget to try an Akihabara specialty: Japanese Crêpes! PS: For true otaku, I recommend starting with my Nakano Broadway tour first!
Akihabara: Hub of all Japanese pop culture!
Reviews
Julieanne D.
“Stations are daunting, loved takeshita street and enjoyed walking and looking”
We had a great time with Marshall. We had been specific about what we needed to do eg. Work out shinagawa and tokyo stations, and then he just showed us around different areas of interest. Nothing too structured and at our pace, exactly as we had asked. Would recommend him again
Philippe J.
“Excellent tour !”
We really enjoyed the tour, it was a great introduction on how to navigate in Tokyo and M. Hardy did great at finding alternatives despite the heavy rain and obon. As we are French speaking, being with a native french speaker was much easier for us. We recommend to take a tour with him !
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Hardy M.
Thank you for your kind comment; I hope to attract more French speakers in the future, especially from Quebec, as they are very friendly people ! I hope the rest of your trip was pleasant !
Rodrigo A.
“great guide with kids”
We had a fantastic experience with Hardy in Tokyo. He is extremely knowledgeable about the city and was especially great with our kids, which made a huge difference for our family. From the beginning, he understood exactly what we wanted to see and helped us plan our days so we could make the most of our time. He took us through so many different parts of Tokyo, including places and museums that were particularly interesting for the children, and shared lots of details and insights along the way. One of the things we appreciated most was how much he taught us about getting around Tokyo. He showed us how to use the trains and navigate the city confidently, and even on our last day he made sure we knew how to continue exploring on our own. We spent several days with Hardy, coordinating some activities with him and doing others independently, and the whole trip worked perfectly. By the end, we honestly felt like we had not left an inch of interesting Tokyo unseen! Hardy was knowledgeable, patient, flexible, excellent with children, and very attentive to what our family wanted to experience. He played a big part in making our time in Tokyo such a great trip. We highly recommend him, especially for families who want to really discover Tokyo rather than just visit the main tourist spots.
Hardy M.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback; I really enjoy showing families around, and it was truly a pleasure spending that time with yours :) I hope to welcome many more lovely families in the future!
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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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Atsushi K.
I have been working for the business with American companies for many years and have many experiences guiding customers from all over the world, from Japan to the USA and Europe. I lived in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for five years and loved to drive around Europe, the USA, and Japan. I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter and want to introduce Japanese traditional culture to people worldwide who are interested in it. I can be your guide in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kamakura for your enjoyable time in Japan.
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Yoshi S.
Hello, I'm Yoshi!! I started my second career as a tour guide after retiring from the Japanese computer company I had worked for about 40 years. I was born in Asakusa and grew up in down town in Tokyo. I’m married with two daughters and three grandchildren, two girls and a boy. I've experienced guiding international visitors in Tokyo and other famous sightseeing spots as a guide for several years. I will be so happy to help you enjoy your stay in Japan. Look forward to joining my tour!!
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