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Joined 2025
Hardy M.
Available Areas
Tokyo (Living)
Languages
English, French (Native), Japanese
Response Time
8 hours on average
Availability Updated
1 day 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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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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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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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
John G.
“Tokyo Tour”
Hardy met us on time & got us to our Studio Ghibli Tour on time. On the way, he walked us through a shrine in our neighborhood, giving us great background that was interesting for both my wife & I as well as our three teenage boys. After our tour, he walked us through Inokashira Park on our way to our next destination, sharing interesting insights along the way. Our youngest wanted to stop to ride the boats, & Hardy was flexible & accommodating. We then visited Meiji Shrine, soaking up Hardy's insights & enjoying his company. Our plans veered off course, but Hardy made it a wonderful, easy, fun day!
John G.
“Friendly, helpful, flexible”
Hardy was so friendly and helpful with our family of five. Our flight arrived four hours late, and Hardy kept in touch, met us at the airport, and helped us get to our hotel with ease. He found a wonderful spot for dinner and oriented us in our neighborhood in prep for our tour the following day. He's reliable, thoughtful, and can adjust to change easily!
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Hardy M.
Thank you very much, A jetlag plus a delayed flight was hard for you and the youngsters; luckily your accommodation was close by, and we arrived not too late at night. Yet, I could have shown you more interesting places in your neighborhood if only the weather had been better too.
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Michelle G.
“Highly Recommend Hardy!”
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Hardy. On very short notice, he went out of his way to accommodate my son while he was traveling alone in Japan and in need of some companionship. As a parent, it meant the world to know that someone kind, reliable, and genuinely caring was looking out for him. Not only did Hardy manage to arrange a last-minute tour, but he also made sure my son felt comfortable throughout the experience. My son told me that Hardy was a lot of fun and made their time together truly enjoyable, which made me so happy. It’s rare to meet someone who is not only professional and organized, but also genuinely kind and willing to go the extra mile for someone they’ve just met. I am incredibly grateful for Hardy’s flexibility, kindness, and for making such a positive difference in my son’s travel experience. I would highly recommend Hardy to anyone looking for a tour guide who is knowledgeable, personable, and truly cares about the people he works with.
Hardy M.
Dear Michelle, I am very grateful for your kind and warm review, and to be honest, not only did I greatly enjoy traveling with your son, but I also learned a lot about the US Navy from him. To make a trip enjoyable, it should be punctuated with anecdotes. I was happy he could feed me with interesting ones concerning the army. Also a special thanks for your excellent writing. My Japanese girlfriend learned a new expression while reading your review :)
Other Popular Tour Guides in Tokyo
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Shin N.
Welcome to Japan! I'm Shin. I have been an English Guide in Japan more than10 years. I can guide Tokyo, Kanagawa and almost all metropolitan sightseeing and walking spots. I was born in Kobe, grown up in Osaka, and studied in Kyoto, so not only Tokyo but I also have a good knowledge of Japanese historical cities. I love talking about Japanese food & culture, walking quiet narrow streets, drinking tasty Japanese whisky, Sumo, Rugby & Sports, and Japanese mountains. I climbed Mt. Fuji 18 times with foreign guests. We enjoyed the auspicious moments of sunrising from the summit. I would like to support you to make your stay in Japan memorable and precious one. It is grateful if you refer to my proposed tour schedule, in the case you have your own interests, I am happy to tailor the tour schedule responding your requests. Please feel free to contact me. I look forward to sharing wonderful time in Japan with you. Be my guest!
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Koichiro Y.
Hello! I’m Koichiro. Please call me “Yamasan”. It derives from my family name and my friends call me so. I worked for a machinery company as a project manager and engineer for mechanical and electrical construction projects both domestic and overseas for over 35 years. I recall my first overseas project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when I was 26, and the second was in Singapore. I visited many countries for surveys, meetings, commissioning, project handing over, and so on. In 2014 at the age of 60, I decided to retire from the company and live the expected further 30 years of life with a new career and experiences. I, then, studied translation and guide interpretation. I passed the national examination for licensed guides (English) in 2015 and registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in February 2016. Until now, I have been guiding many beautiful guests mainly to popular sightseeing spots such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Omote-Sando, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Tokyo Skytree, and also cultural experiences of Origami making, Furoshiki wrapping, and Sushi cooking. I am happy that I can freely arrange a customized tour together with you, or can propose my tours to you. I want to show you some parts of daily Tokyo life and introduce you to Bunkyo City which is located in the heart of Tokyo, just north of Chiyoda City where the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station are. The city is Tokyo’s typical residential and academic area where I was born, grew up, and live a happy life now. Now, we can tour around the world but have not yet overcome COVID-19 completely. Recently, the number of passengers wearing masks on public transportation in Tokyo reduced to some 25% but we should mind about it still. Please carry your mask to wear it where or when necessary (December 2024, Yamasan).
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Grant A.
Important note: I am currently not able to take new customers after the end of March, 2026. 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. 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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