Tony proved to be an outstanding tour guide with wide-ranging knowledge of local history, culture and environmental science. He was happy to work with us based on our specific interests, schedule, and potential weather concerns. We spent a wonderful morning and afternoon taking a much-anticipated tour of historic sites in Shimoda, as well as a guided visit to the seven waterfalls park in Kawazu. Tony was enthusiastic, flexible, well-informed and did his most to share his knowledge with us in a way that was incredibly fun as well as informative. We really couldn't have had a better day than we had on this tour, and we enthusiastically recommend Tony's services to anyone interested in the Isu Peninsula. The fact that he was willing to drive from his home 90 minutes away, and then transport us in his small, comfortable vehicle to different locations and then back to our hotel before driving home, made it clear that he wanted us to enjoy our time in the most convenient way. This day was truly a highlight of our trip.
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Private tour in Izu Anthony Stephen E
America Opens Up Japan at Shimoda
4.7
(3) reviews
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8 hours
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8 hours
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Anthony Stephen E.
5.0
Guide rating
85
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Hi, I'm Tony. Yokoso (welcome) to Japan, where I have lived for a decade. I specialize in walking and hiking tours of the Hakone region, a beautiful, geologically active, national park also including Mount Fuji. Originally a forester by profession, you will see some of my tours involve light trekking. As we walk, I like to help you experience our wild flora and fauna. Our region is tectonically active and includes Izu Geopark, Hakone Geopark, and of course Japan's iconic active volcano Mount Fuji. Enjoy learning about this active earth. Japanese history is a personal interest as I find a little appreciation of it helps in understanding today's Japan and its unique people. Experience Hakone region's pivotal role in Japan's history over the last 5 centuries (starting from Clavell's "Shogun") and local cultural activities. I live in Atami, a cute seaside hot spring resort just 45 minutes from Tokyo station by bullet train, and close to Hakone. Born in Fiji and educated in New Zealand, I have worked in tourism for nearly 3 decades all around Asia/Pacific. I decided to settle in Atami because this region is the most picturesque and interesting place I have experienced. As well as guiding tours I consult to the Shizuoka Prefectural Government on local tourism development, which has given me lots of ideas for experiences that enable you to touch grass-roots Japan. Your participation in these programs will also enrich our local rural communities. Booking my tours on this TBL platform confirms your agreement to your travel contract being INTERNET based as per Japan Travel Law. Just saying that, to keep your experience authentically Japanese, I don't take tips, but thanks anyway for your concern. Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 (highest) Pass Japanese Law prohibits guides from driving, so many of my tours use our excellent public transport system, often including Japan's iconic bullet train zooming along the base of Mt Fuji (visible weather permitting). My tours are low carbon.
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Full Day Walking Tour
Overview of your Izu tour
For American history buffs, let me share with you this fascinating story of the birth of the US/Japan relationship. Our tour sets out from the popular sea-side hot spring resort of Atami at the northern end of Izu Peninsula to spend the day in Shimoda immersed in the original sites and scenes. Mid-19th century US Navy's Admiral Perry forced a negotiation at Shimoda for Japan to open up to the US and other western powers. Perry failed to secure a trade agreement as part of this initial encounter however, so New York academic Townsend Harris was sent to reside in Shimoda for several years to fine-tune the US/Japan treaty. Harris thereby became Japan's first resident foreign diplomat (Consul General). Our tour follows the footprints of these US pioneers. Can also do as a day trip from Tokyo if you don't mind getting up early, catch Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama #705 departing Tokyo Station 07:27 your arrangement.
Recent Reviews
Tony was a teriffic resource for our visit to the Izu Peninsula. Thanks to his help navigating multiple train lines, our journey went very smoothly. Tony was an informative and interesting guide, The Shimoda Burgers were amazing! ;-)
we loved the tour and Tony is a top notch tour operator! Our tour was excellent. Tony is very experienced, knowledgeable, and pleasant. He presented us the history behind the sites we visited and was able to bring the story alive to us. Tony showed us unique places and provided us with information we could not have access to online and loved how he knew so much about the award winning book Shogun (later turned into a TV series). The itinerary was very enjoyable, complete, and cohesive.
Your Izu tour itinerary
-Meet in your Atami hotel lobby at 08:00, or at Atami Station at 08:15. -We'll catch the local seaside train departing Atami 08:26, nice views of the Pacific and the Izu Islands has we chug southwards, reaching Shimoda at 09:57 -Taxi to Gyokusenji Temple, gifted by Japan to Townsend Harris to be the American Consulate and first diplomatic mission ever in Japan. Sense Harris's intelligent negotiating skills, personal stress, and sincere compassion for Japan -We'll stroll back along the pretty port-side to an early lunch at Shimoda Burger. This local icon has created a delicious burger using fresh seafood straight from the ocean in front of us, great coffee too -After lunch we walk the famous Perry Road which has been maintained much as it was 160 years ago -Enter Ryosenji Temple, where the resident Buddhist monk will show us ancient cross-cultural art works and make a short presentation in the same room where Perry forced his treaty -Finish at Shimoda Kaikoku Museum, train Shimoda/Atami 16:02/17:30
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Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Train
Izukyu train Atami/Shimoda return, taxi Shimoda Station to Gyokusenji Temple, walking for the duration (about 2.5 miles walking total for the day)
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Meeting location
Atami, Shizuoka, Japan
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- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
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