Hi, I’m Yu
Hi, I’m Yu
I’ve lived in Tokyo for 35 years
I speak English, Japanese
I am Tour Guide
Hi, I’m Yu, a local host here in Tokyo! What I love most about this city is how it beautifully blends culture, history, and modernity. I’m always up for enjoying good food and drinks with friends, and I love hopping between cozy cafes. I’m also a photographer, so I’m always on the lookout for unique spots to capture the city’s essence. I know neighborhoods like Tsukishima, Monzen Nakacho, and Kiyosumi Shirakawa really well, and of course, the iconic areas like Ginza, Shibuya, and Shinjuku are close to my heart too. With a background in the art industry, I’m happy to share insights into Tokyo’s museums and galleries. I’m also a bit of a Tokyo history nerd, so I can guide you through its fascinating past while showing you hidden places perfect for photos. Let’s explore Tokyo’s vibrant mix of old and new together!
My knowledge & interests
History, Archaeology
Arts
History
Photography
Culture & customs
Street food
Local cuisine
Desserts
Food markets
Unique & unusual foods
Art galleries & museums
Parks
Gardens
Scenic routes
Political history
Economic history
Social history
Architectural history
Religious history
Cityscape photography
Street photography
Portrait photography
Modern architecture
Classical architecture
Third wave coffee
Local beers
Artisanal tea
Street markets
Handicrafts & souvenirs
Traditional culture
Religious customs
Lifestyle culture
Rituals & ceremonial customs
Night photography
Post-modern architecture
My reviews
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I booked a short guided tour, and had the pleasure working with Yu! We had a great time exploring Japanese history and customs at Meiji Shrine and Harajuku!
November 2024
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I booked a short guided tour in Tokyo, and had the pleasure to work with Yu! I had a great time, and Yu would go to great lengths to explain everything, and went over and beyond in showing us around Meiji Shrine and Harajuku!
November 2024
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Yuko completely customized our tour to focus on our area of interest. She gave us great historical insights and cultural ones too. She took us to a very authentic stand up Sake bar and helped us to sample two kinds of Sake. She also provided us with very practical help around other sights to see and how to navigate the very confusing subway, metro, train situation.
November 2024
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Yuko reached out weeks in advance with a suggested itinerary which made me feel confident we would be well taken care of. Ahead of time and during the tour, she engaged with us to modify the plan based on our interests and needs. She brought visuals and stories that brought history to life for us and also gave us a chance to experience today’s pop culture, food, etc. we had a great time hearing about life in Tokyo from her and she was easy and fun to be with. Finally, she followed up with links to great restaurants and entertainment for us to use during our trip- many of which we tried and enjoyed after the tour. Thanks, Yuko!
June 2024