Private tour in Tokyo Haruo T
5.0
(4) reviews
9 hours
1
9 hours
1
Haruo T.
4.9
Guide rating
89
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2 hrs
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"Great Buddha in Kamakura. . . generous, mysterious smile on his handsome face" My hobby is writing Haiku in English. Haiku is one of the Japanese traditional poems. This is one of my Haiku about the popular tourist attraction in Kamakura, the first samurai capital. In most sites there are monuments on which prominent poets' works about the places are inscribed. I will explain their meanings and implications so that you can improve your understanding and appreciation. Besides I perform Rakugo in English, which is traditional Japanese funny story telling. So, I try my best to entertain my guests with jokes and interesting episodes of historical figures. The reason why I became a guide interpreter is that I would like to see smiling faces of my guests. I used to be a high school English teacher. Until 2015 I had been teaching at public high schools in Yokohama and Yokosuka for 37 years. During that time, I had some experience to guide some high school students from overseas around Tokyo, Kamakura and Yokohama. I was so happy to hear them say that it was a wonderful experience and made them like Japan better. Then I made up my mind to be a tour guide to take my customers to my favorite places to share happiness and friendship. As for tour guide experience, since I earned the certificate of National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter in English in 2019, I have guided tourists to the popular sites around Tokyo, Kumakura and Yokosuka. My guiding focuses on introducing not only historical and cultural backgrounds, but also giving tourists some tips to travel by themselves, such as how to use trains and subways, find good restaurants, reserve tickets, find souvenirs, speak basic Japanese and so on. In addition, my tour includes opportunities to experience Japanese culture like Zen meditation, Shinto and Buddhist rituals, Japanese musical instruments, etc. depending on the tourists' requests. My moto as a tour guide is let the tourists have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan with my profound, intelligible and interesting guiding. So if you are interested in my tours, please contact me anytime. *National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of English (Cert. No. EN02607) Date of Registration: Feb.15.2019 *Guide Experience: Since 2019~ *License to teach English in senior high school, Date of Registration: Mar. 31.1978 *Master of Arts (Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language) at The University of Birmingham in England July.16. 2003 *Teaching Experience at Japanese public schools in Kanagawa Prefecture: 1978~2015 *Score of TOEIC: 935 * I am not a driver. I can accompany your vehicle, or I can arrange for a separate car and driver.
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if the summer burns down. . . even Great Buddha in Kamakura will hide in the shade This tour takes you to Kamakura, the first Samurai capital established in 1195 AD. You visit Hachimangu Shrine and Great Buddha to learn about the history, culture and religion of Kamakura Era (1195 ~ 1333). On the latter half of the tour, you enjoy exploring the picturesque and religious sandbar island, Enoshima, which is now a popular and attractive tourist site. After you leave Japan, you will never forget this wonderful moment.
Haruo was an excellent tour guide. He spoke English well and had a lot of interesting local knowledge. He also taught us how to use the local metro system and trains. It is pretty easy and convenient once someone shows you. The temples at Enoshima and Kamikura were both beautiful. The views from the tower on top of Enoshima Island were excellent. Even with the huge holiday crowds, it was a great day trip. I highly recommend Haruo.
This was a wonderful tour and Haruo is an amazing guide. Haruo met us at our hotel in Yokohama and we used the subway and trains to explore different areas of Kamakura and the Island of Enoshima. Haruo had an efficient itinerary to maximize what we could see in this full day tour without being rushed. We visited the Engakuji Temple (beautiful temple set in nature just outside Kamakura), the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (which happened to be stunning with the sakura blossom path leading to the shrine), lunch in Kamakura, the Great Buddha, and the Island of Enoshima. If you are looking for a day trip from Tokyo, this one is perfect! On a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji from Enoshima.
We have had a wonderful day in Kamakura with Haruo. First we visited Engaku-ji which had beautiful zen garden. It even had a video presentation of some of the rituals or events performed there during the different seasons. Then we visited Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine which has very interesting history. We walked on the Kamakura shopping street for souvenirs and lunch. Visited the Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple which also had fantastic scenery. And finally we went to Enoshima Island tower that had great views and even a light show. Horuo was very well prepared explaining the history and traditions at the places and between them. This is second year in a row that I have been on one of his tours and I am very glad that I chose it. We have created unforgettable Japan memories. Thanks.
Haruo is friendly, knowledgeable, patient and really knows his way around the trains, subways and walking streets. I knew very little about the sites we visited before the tours. I learned a lot, without feeling overwhelmed. He speaks English very well, and encourages questions. I recommend him highly.
9:00 am Pick up at your hotel 10:00 am Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine Visit Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine, where Emperor Ojin, God of Archery and War, is enshrined. Learn about the religion and history of Kamakura Shogunate (the first samurai government. 11:30 am Komachidori Street Stroll the traditional and fashionable shopping street, enjoying foods and drinks as well as shopping. 1:30 pm Great Buddha in Kotokuin Temple See the impressive and handsome image of Buddha sitting in the open air and learn about Buddhism in Kamakura Era. 2:00 pm Hasedera Temple See the tallest and brilliant statue of eleven faced Kannon and walk around the garden designed as Pure Land 3:00 pm Enoshima Island Visit Enoshima, which literally means a picturesque island and enjoy the ocean view from the observatory on the top of the island including Mt. Fuji. This view inspired Katsushika Hokusai, a master of Ukiyoe painter, to print his masterpiece, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa". 6:00 am Drop off at your hotel
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Trains (JR and Enoshima line)
Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Airport: ,ByGuide:
Japanese
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9 hours
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