Guide #23947
"Enjoy a relaxing and fun trip with an energetic, friendly guide in beautiful islands of Okinawa!" I have been guiding in Okinawa since 2008! I love guiding visitors around Okinawa because I have been interested in a unique history and culture of Okinawa, which are very different from those of mainland Japan. Also how can I resist introducing tourists to amazing natural wonders of Okinawa including lush green subtropical rain forest, unbelievably clear beautiful sea and underwater world, and heavenly beautiful starry sky? I love the peace-loving spirit of Okinawa. Okinawa is the birthplace of karate. I take karate lessons twice a week as I have been impressed by the karate spirit: "the spirit focusing not on winning, but rather on not losing; of not attacking, but rather defending life; and the continual training of the self to achieve this. " In order to satisfy you with a great experience about Okinawa Karate and Okinawa Kobudo, I go to one of the most famous traditional Okinawa Kobudo dojos "Bunbukan". I am a black belt holder (3rd dan) for karate and a black belt holder (3rd dan) for kobudo. I can arrange visits or experience lessons to these dojos for you! While I am not working, I enjoy outdoors and try to go to the gym as much as possible to take classes (boxercise, dance, and muscle-building). I like training my body and having fun with everybody in the classes as well as I feel refreshed after that and feel recharged for work the next day. Also I love joining a study tour led by a university professor, a staff member from the culture section of board of education of local municipalities, or a curator of a museum. For a history-loving person like me, it is always interesting to know more deeply about the history of Okinawa. I am extremely energetic and have been researching many nice places for you to dine in. I can make your stay in Okinawa a memorable one, hoping you will become a big fan of Okinawa as well! * August 2005 Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at University of Maryland University College * 2007 TOEIC 970 * December 2007 Okinawa Prefecture Licensed Guide Interpreter * January 2008 National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter * November 2009 Itinerary Control Manager *2010 Certified as a Nakijin Castle Site Guide by Nakijin Village Board of Education * 2011 Certified as a Naha Walking Guide by Naha City Tourism Association * 2014 Certified as a Nago Walking Guide by Nago City Tourism Association * 2016 Certified as a Ginowan City Cultural Properties Guide by Ginowan City Board of Education * 2017 Certified as a Astronomy Guide (Associate Guide) * 2018 Certified as a PADI Open Water Diver and a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver * 2021 Certified as an Okinawa KARATE Guide Interpreter by Okinawa government *2022 Certified as a Yaese Town Guide by Yaese Tourism Association *2023 Certified as a Peace Guide by Okinawa Prefecture Tourism Volunteer Association *2023 Certified as a Haebaru Town Guide *2024 Certified as a Kitanakagusuku Village Guide by Kitanakaguduku Village Tourism Association *2024 Certified as a Naha City Walking Tour Guide by Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau None
Naha

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297 reviews
I booked this tour for my parents in their 70s. I was corresponding with Yumiko and she was very helpful, proactive and responsive. This was my parents' feedback: Our 1 day personalised tour of Hacksaw Ridge and other WW2 sites with was a great success. Yumiko's friendly style and detailed, Iocal knowledge made our visit very informative. She provided pictorial support of...

Replied from Kumiko T.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to write such a pleasant review! I really had a great time with your lovely parents during the tour! You had sent me a picture of them before the tour, so I was already looking forward to meeting them because the picture showed their honest personality. They were very cooperative with me and walked a lot...
Kumiko was excellent! She chose locations and activities according to our request. We had a wonderful experience and want to return again and relive some of the sights and sounds. I wish we had more time to do another tour with her.

Replied from Kumiko T.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy travel schedule to write such a wonderful review! I am thrilled to know that you enjoyed all the activities and locations during the tour! Especially, I enjoyed our conversation over the local dinner cuisine while listening to the sound of our beautiful islands! I hope you will visit Okinawa again to explore more...
Although she will vigorously deny this, Kumiko-san herself is an intangible cultural asset. As a tour guide she is extremely knowledgeable and she will regale travelers with fascinating factoids about the island, its people, plants, animals, and especially its history and culture. In addition to being knowledgeable, she is also an energetic, humble, and friendly person...

Replied from Kumiko T.
Thank you so much to write such a great review out of your busy travel schedule! I am so flattered you thought so. I myself had a very meaningful day because you brought a good opportunity of new learning! How much I was impressed by your attitude toward learning the ancestor worship and the people of Okinawa! Those who met you including me during your stay in Okinawa...
Kumiko is a super guide! There were four of us, all interested in history and culture. Kumiko gave us a wonderful tour of all the Battle for Okinawa sites. She was exceptionally knowledgable and very kind and thoughtful. She took us to a great local ramen place for lunch which we never would have found. Thank you so much Kumiko. We will all remember you and the...

Replied from Kumiko T.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a super review out of your busy travel schedule! I had a great time with all of you, and I admire your great passion on the history and culture of everywhere you travel. I am very happy to know that you all enjoyed the ramen place! I will also remember you all, who were so friendly and kind to me! I hope you will...