*Please send me a message and check my availability before making a booking**

Hello, I'm Akira, a government-licensed guide-interpreter.
I know much about the cities in Hokkaido such as Hakodate, Sapporo, and Otaru.
I am also well-versed in the history of Japan. ( I got a master's degree in Japan's modern history from Hokkaido University during the pandemic. )
I have worked as a professional tour guide for over ten years.
I used to be a public school teacher for thirty-two years until retirement.
After that, I started working as a professional tour guide in Hakodate.
Though I was brought up in a different place, I became fascinated by the lure of Hakodate while I engaged in guiding in Hakodate for many years.

Hakodate is blessed with many tourist attractions such as beautiful scenery, fresh seafood, and unique history. You can see a beautiful star-shaped western-style fort from the Tower of Goryokaku.
You can also get a magnificent night view from the top of Mt. Hakodate which is said to be one of the three beautiful night views in the world.
Thanks in part to its unique history, Hakodate attracts a lot of tourists every year not only from across Japan but also from all over the world.
Hakodate experienced a turbulent period before Japan's modernization. A fierce battle was fought in Goryokaku. Many samurai soldiers died in the battle including Hijikata Toshizo, who is still popular among Japanese people as a Samurai hero who represents the quintessential samurai spirit. (He is also popular especially among young women because he is very handsome. You can see his statue at Goryokaku Tower.

As the first port opened to the world in Japan, Hakodate also went through an influx of Western culture all
at once. Many missionaries and merchants rushed to Hakodate and established their churches and facilities.
So Hakodate still retains the exotic atmosphere around the Motomachi area. You can enjoy the mixture of traditional Japanese and newly introduced Western culture by walking around Motomachi.

I like communicating and interacting with foreign tourists. I want to share the joy of travel and make good memories by talking friendly with each other. I will try to accommodate your requests as much as possible to make your travel more enjoyable.
I hope I can be part of your once-in-a-lifetime memory in Hakodate.
Let's have fun visiting many places in Hakodate with me.

Licensed National Tour guide (English, No.EN00163,2010)
B.A in Science Education from Hokkaido University of Education
M.A (Master of Arts) in Japanese modern history, Hokkaido University (2023)
School teacher's license for teaching Science(high school and Junior high)
1st grade English Proficiency Test in Japan(passed three times in 2000,2021and 2023)
TOEIC score 940
Publication: How to manage classes to raise highly inquisitive students (1996)

No restrictions

Hakodate is a city first opened to the rest of the world after some 300 years' of isolation policy in Edo Era. So, Hakodate experienced contact with various foreign cultures, which you can see in the Western and Japanese mixed archtectures in the western part of he city. We had about 5, 000, 000 visitors last year, out of whom 340, 000 are from abroad. Hakodate also was chosen the most popular place in Japan in 2014, followed by Sapporo and Kyoto. Why so popular? People are attracted by its unique cityscapes, fresh seafood and marine products, a night view seen from the top of Mt. Hakodate, hot spring and its cultural history as well as beautiful nature!
Fresh squid, scallops, sea urchins, abalone, you can name it!
They say air in Hakodate is different from metropolitan areas. So a refreshing air! Here, you can feel carefree and breathe green air and enjoy strolling around the city, With myself, your cheerful guide who was born and brought up here!

Hakodate Private Tour with Keiko

This tour offers major must-see spots in Sapporo in one day. Since Sapporo is an excellent blend of urban life and nature, this tour will be perfect to enjoy Sapporo.
The highlight of our tour is Okurayama Jump Hill, a scenic point where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sapporo City.

This tour also has options: Hokkaido Shrine, Odori and downtown, Ishiya Chocolate Factory Shiroi Koibito Park, Jozankei Hot Sapring, Sapporo Ainu Pirika Kotan Museum, Takino Reien, Historical Village of Hokkaido, Sheep Hill, Sapporo Beer Garden and enjoy shopping.

We will visit Odori Park, The Clock Tower, former Hokkaidio government Building. I can help you buy medicine, cosmetics, sweets and more.

Food is also important appeal in Sapporo.
Please try fresh seafood, ramen, BBQ.
I will find suitable restaurant for you.
If you have special interests or places you would like to visit, I am happy to modify this tour again.
Sapporo is my hometown and I will flexible to meet your requests, so feel free to ask me.

Best of Sapporo Tour in 9hrs

Otaru is located 30 min. from Sapporo by JR train. Otaru is a nostalgic port town that attracts many tourists in and out of Japan.

I am a special Otaru guide license and I was a native of Sapporo, Otaru is my second hometown.
I can show you the market that only locals can tell. Most of the locals do not speak English so you need a guide.

Time-honored stone warehouses along the famous canal from Otaru's most prosperous era are now converted into fancy glassmaker's shops, music box shops, excellent sweets shops, and souvenir shops that carry Otaru-made goods. Sushi and Seafood are also must-have items. Fresh locally brewed sake (Japanese rice wine), beer and wine really goes well with these cuisines.

We will explore one of the local sake breweries, Tanaka Shuzo brewery Kikkogura, and try free sake samples. Our last highlight is going up to Mt. Tengu summit by cable car to experience panoramic view of Qusai National Park.

I can customize the tour especially for you to suit your schedule and requests

Tour guide in Hakodate Akira M.

Japanese, English

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