Joined 2018
Shoji K.
Available Areas
Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Yokohama
Languages
English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
About Tour Guide Shoji K.
Hi! Welcome to Japan. My name is Shoji Kitamura, a licensed English-speaking tour guide. Please call me Shoji that is the same sound as a sliding screen made of wood and paper you may have seen in a traditional Japanese room.
I was born and raised in Yokohama next to Tokyo but lived for work in several beautiful and historical cities such as Nikko, Hiroshima, and Ise which have world heritage sites and/or national park. I fully enjoyed the nature, culture and lives in each city where I lived.
I retired after 36 years with a national research institute of fisheries in 2016.
During my career, I visited 5 continents except Antarctica, more than 20 nations for attending international scientific conferences, conducting collaborative research or teaching some technologies, etc. In Japan, I often took foreign scientists and government officers sightseeing. I had great times in these opportunities.
Such experiences made me decide to become a licensed English-speaking guide interpreter after retirement to introduce Japanese nature, culture, foods, etc. properly to many tourists coming to Japan from all over the world.
For more than 20 years I’ve been living in Nikko, which is located about 150km north of Tokyo, and designated as a World Heritage site and a National Park. If you consider a day trip from Tokyo, I strongly recommend coming to Nikko by 2-hour train ride from Tokyo. I am looking forward to showing you around in this historical and beautiful town.
Besides Nikko, I can also guide you in Yokohama, my home town, and in neighboring city such as Tokyo and Kamakura.
Important
I can guide you in Hiroshima if you pay my transportation fee.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
Your Best Choice of Tokyo One-day Tour
Tokyo has a lot of sightseeing spots for foreign tourist. So, I narrowed them down to 8 spots listed below for your options. If you are wondering where to go, book this tour. Just choose 4 or 5 spots out of them for your tour, then I will arrange your itinerary. Of course, you can select any places you like other than those listed. 1. Tsukiji Outer Market, 2. Hamarikyu Garden, 3. Sumida River Cruising, 4. Asakusa, 5. Tokyo Skytree, 6. Imperial Palace, 7. Meiji Jingu Shrine, 8. Ueno Park
Must-see in Nikko One-day Tour
Visiting must-see 3 sightseeing spots in Nikko, Toshogu, the most famous and popular shrine of the World Heritage in Nikko, the Kegon Waterfall, one of the 3 major waterfalls in Japan and Lake Chuzenji, the lake located at the highest (1269m above sea level) place in Japan. You can enjoy both artificial and natural beauty of Nikko.
Must-sees in Kamakura One-day Tour
We visit a historical city, Kamakura where Japan's first shogunate (feudal government) existed from the 12th to the 14th century. It takes about 1 hour by train from Tokyo to Kamakura. There are a lot of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. I chose must-see places for you. We also enjoy streetcar ride in the city.
Must-see in Hakone One-day Tour
We reach the pleasure of Hakone using various rides, such as Express train, mountain climbing railway, mountain climbing cable car, ropeway and cruising ship on Lake Ashi. You can enjoy the breathtaking Mt.Fuji viewing, the powerful volcanic activity, beautiful lake cruising, and walking along the old Tokaido, cedar tree avenue.
Nikko World Heritage One-day Tour
Visiting Toshogu shrine and RInnnoji temple, the World Heritage. Magnificent and solemn architectures and carvings of the shrine and the temple will move you deeply for sure.
Highland Nikko Hiking and Cruising One-day Tour (May to Oct.)
Hiking along the coast line of Lake Chuzenji or in Senjogahara wetland which is registered under the Ramsar Convention as “Oku-Nikko-shitsugen” (the wetland in Highland Nikko) and cruising in the lake.
Reviews
Ceci G.
“Lackluster tour with almost no information given”
I have taken several tours around the world, and this one by far was my least favorite. I booked this tour for our first full day of Tokyo to learn about 5 of the major sites. Not only did Shoji barely share information about the sites, he was so soft spoken that when we would ask questions, we could barely hear him. Half way through our tour, he put on a mask and we couldn’t hear anything when he did talk. I kept leaning in and asking what he said. We took the tour on a Wednesday and several of the places in the fish market were closed. He didn’t tell us until we arrived at the fish market. The website said 2,000-3,000¥ ($13-$20) per person for lunch, and you pay for his meal. He took us to a sushi restaurant and that was our most expensive meal ($98/14,700 ¥) in Tokyo ($32/per person). It kept getting worse as the day progressed. Shoji would not talk to us. We kept constantly asking for more information of the area, site, or just about Tokyo. He said a couple sentences then was silent again as he power walked ahead. The River Cruise was complete silence. There was a tour guide with guests sitting behind us, and we learned so much by listening to her. The Imperial Palace, Asakusa-Sensoji Temple, and Meiji Temple were all the same. He barely said a word to us. I had to ask him to tell us the procedures on entering the temples/shrines because I had read there’s a process. I have never had a tour guide that barely talked. We went on other tours in Tokyo with phenomenal tour guides so it’s not that the Japanese are quiet and shy. To end the tour, Shoji told us we still owed him 3,000¥ (1,000¥ per person) for the River Cruise. You have to pay for his ticket. His tour info said 750¥ was the entry fee for the cruise, so I don’t know if we overpaid. He didn’t show us the receipt, he just told us we owed him that. Shoji has no enthusiasm and for a tour guide - that is key for me. Writing an honest review so that others do not have the same experience.
Peter B.
“Excellent introductory day in Tokyo”
Excellent full first day, 5 top but very varied places to go, super lunch, smooth travelling and understanding of metro system, all on time, and with history, culture and knowledge all added in. Recommended!
Beryn H.
“Don't miss the view from the observatory, the Tsukiji Outer Market or the Shiboya crossing”
My husband and I recently spent four days touring in Japan with Shoji. He patiently and expertly steered us through a very confusing combination of multiple subways rides, regular trains, tramways and cable cars, as required each day, including obtaining the requisite tickets. He is knowledgeable about a great many different areas of Japan, so he was able to guide us to Nikko, Hakone, and Kamakura - as well as multiple locations within the metro-Tokyo area. It was a pleasure to be able to explore with the same well-educated guide for all four days, and his English fluency was perfect for us as we speak no Japanese.
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Born and bred in Tokyo I am still living in the suburbs of Tokyo. I spent several years in the U.S. and the UK and wanted to show international visitors around Japan in return for the hospitality I had received in foreign countries. After coming back from the UK, I obtained the qualification of the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I can guide guests to every corner of Tokyo including areas off the beaten track. As a history fan I can tell you a historical episode behind the scenes. From a local perspective I can explain how we Japanese are getting along. Since I have science and technology backgrounds, I can give you a tour of scientific or technical things as well..
Leandra I.
I’ve called Japan home for seven years, embracing everything from Tokyo’s vibrant urban energy to the tranquillity of the countryside. Before becoming a guide, I explored Tokyo like a curious long-term traveller, uncovering unusual temples, quirky landmarks, hidden backstreets, local live music venues, rural mountain villages, and one-of-a-kind cultural gems. My passion lies in crafting immersive journeys that dive deep into Japan’s heart, sparking a sense of wonder and escape that makes travellers feel worlds away from home. I’m excited to guide you through the Tokyo labyrinth. This city is endlessly fascinating—so layered and dynamic that even with a lifetime here, you’d only scratch the surface. I’ll show you how to navigate it like a local, as mastering the transport system isn’t as tricky as it seems, and I’ll help you gain the confidence to explore Tokyo on your own while we focus on the city’s hidden treasures. Together, we can visit parts of Tokyo most travellers overlook—the nostalgic charm of the Shitamachi, the hustle of salaryman districts, the neon-lit buzz of cyber Tokyo, and tranquil local power spots. Let’s discover the city’s hidden depths and create memories that will last a lifetime!
