January 2013
Guide: Michiyo Chida and Setsuko Kawaguchi
Route: Day 1: Harajuku – Shibuya – Asakusa – Hama Rikyu Garden; Day 2: Kamakura – Tokyo Tower – Odaiba (onsen); Day 3: Tsukiji – Ryogoku – Fuchu (classic concert); and Day 4: Imperial Palace – Ginza – Ueno

Dear TFG,

Regrettably it is time for me to leave Tokyo.
Although I have travelled widely in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, this was my first trip to Japan. Even when travelling alone in the past, I have fared well, but my time in Tokyo surpasses those earlier travels and exceeded all my expectations due to the deep knowledge, wisdom and professionalism of Mrs. Michiyo Chida and Mrs. Setsuko Kawaguchi. They enriched my time in Tokyo immeasurably and led me to start thinking of when I can return – even before I have left.

I think your organization is marvellous – and very clever too – because these ladies have been such outstanding ambassadors for Japan and her people that I know that I will return. My return will be primarily because of the warm guidance that Michiyo and Setsuko have imparted during my short stay. Their insight into my needs showed great wisdom and intelligence.

Thank you for your help – and in particular I thank you for allowing me to share my time in Tokyo with these two lovely, clever, hard working ladies. As the photographs show, my time with them was marvellous.

Sincerely,

Judi from Melbourne

June 2012
Guide: Hideo Minobe, Junko Murakami, and Senichi Nagai
Route: Day 1 Kamakura; Day 2 Kawagoe; Day 3 Asakusa – Hama Rikyu – Tsukiji

Konnichiwa!

First of all, thank you so much for your kind hospitality while we were in Japan – we truly appreciate the effort and care that you have showered upon us while we were visiting! It was indeed a very pleasant experience and we enjoyed your company very much.

Visiting foreign lands is always interesting, appreciating the differences in environment, culture, architecture and food one of the key benefits of traveling. But it is in knowing the people there, and forming connections, and seeing the host country through the eyes of the locals that differentiates a visit and makes it special. To that extent, my family and I came away with new appreciation of Japan and the Japanese – thank you so much!

I think one of the highlights of the trip must be the kimono walkabout that my wife and daughter did in Kawagoe – they enjoyed Kawagoe so much more for the experience! Kamakura was fascinating both for the temples and shrines, and for the crowds – if we were doing it on our own, I doubt we would be able to experience the “train-(c)rush” – it was quite an experience! And of course, eating sushi at the Tsukiji market is always one of my favorite to do items while in Tokyo! There were so many great experiences and we thank you all for sharing it with us!

Thank you once again and keep up the good work, TFG!!

March 2010
Guide: Senichi Nagai
Route: Tsukiji – Akihabara – Asakusa – Tokyo Tower

On our recent trip to Tokyo we decided to try the TokyoFreeGuide service, and what a great service it turned out to be. The TokyoFreeGuide service you get is exactly what the web site information describes, there are no surprises or problems.

The best part of our trip was the good fortune to have Senichi Nagai as our guide. Not only was he a great guide, but he is truly a wonderful person to know. Senichi speaks fluent English which made our time with him easy, efficient and fun. We discussed the things we wanted to see and do, and Senichi planned each day’s itinerary for us and right on schedule every morning Senichi arrived at our hotel with the day’s itinerary ready to go. And each day turned out to be an exciting, fun filled and fulfilling experience. Read the rest of this entry »

January 2010
Guide: Masako Shimada
Route:　Ryogoku – Tsukiji – Kabukiza – Omotesando; Takasago Sumo stable – Dressing up like a Maiko

Hello,

I truly enjoyed having Masako Shimada as my tour guide. She took me everywhere I wanted to go. She also gave me suggestions for things to do that I would not have thought of. It was great having a guide who genuinely enjoyed what she does.

My favorite part of my trip was going to see a sumo wrestling practice and dressing up like a maiko. It was helpful having a guide to set these up for me as the language barrier would have made it difficult for me to do on my own.

I hope to bring my parents to Tokyo within the next few years. I will certainly use this service again.

Sincerely,
Julie

November 2009
Guide: Chikako, Senichi Nagai, Takako, and Miyuki
Route: Omotesando – Kagurazaka; Tsukiji – Ginza – Akihabara – Yanaka; Hamarikyu – Asakusa – Kappabashi; and Shinjuku

On behalf of my husband and myself we want to thank Tokyo Free Guide and our guides, Chikako, Senichi, Takako and Miyuki for a wonderful experience touring Tokyo in early November. Each of the guides was outgoing, fun, informative and dedicated to seeing that we had a very positive experience. I could go on at length about how we enjoyed each guide, but suffice it to say that the Tokyo Free guide service, and our specific guides (Chikako, Senichi, Takako and Miyuki) made our trip to Tokyo tremendously memorable. Thank You!!
Lisa and Bob Tourek, Wexford Pennsylvania USA

April, 2009
Guide: Mitsuharu Tada
Route: Tsukiji – Ueno & TFG HANAMI PARTY 2009 @ Shinjuku Gyoen park

Dear Tokyo Free Guide,

Thank you Mr. Tada for guiding me around Tsukiji and Ueno. I enjoyed that my guide took the time to get to know what things I liked so that he could plan a day I would enjoy. I learned a lot and had a fun day.

I especially had a great time at the Hanami Party 2009. The guides were all so happy to meet all of the guests and share their culture with us. They were all very friendly and I had a great experience. The atmosphere was very comfortable, the company was great, and the cherry blossoms were beautiful!

Thank you again for your service!
Pam

November, 2008
Guide: Kyoko Minami
Route: Tsukiji – Ginza – The Japan Folk Crafts Museum – Kabukiza

WE ARE WRITING TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE EXCELLENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY KYOKO MINAMI ON OUR RECENT TRIP TO TOKYO. IN ADDITION TO THE ADVANCE PLANNING THAT KYOKO DID WITH US DETERMINING OUR INTERESTS, FOR EXAMPLE MY INTEREST IN JAPANESE TRADITIONAL DANCE, KYOKO EXTENDED HERSELF BY CONTACTING THE DANCE SCHOOL, MAKING ARRANGEMENT IN ADVANCE OF OUR ARRIVAL. ON THE DAY WE PLANNED TOGETHER, SHE ARRIVED PROMPTLY, WELL-EQUIPPED WITH THE AGREED- TO ITINERARY, READY TO HELP US NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGING SUBWAY SYSTEM . KYOKO WAS WONDERFULLY WELL-PREPARED, CHEERFUL AND DELIGHTFUL TO BE WITH. IN ADDITION TO HER PROFESSIONALISM, SHE WAS TOTALLY AT EASE IN HELPING TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF LAST MINUTE CHANGES AS THEY PRESENTED THEMSELVES. WITH HER WE HAD A MOST DELIGHTFUL FIRST DAY IN TOKYO, INDEED JAPAN! WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR PROVIDING HER SERVICES.

RUTH AND NORMAN SEIF
GREAT NECK, NEW YORK,
USA

October, 2008
Guide: Naomi Ishiwatari
Route:　Tsukiji Fish Market – Asakusa Sensoji – Ameyoko – Akihabara

Dear Tokyo Free Guide,

We had a wonderful time with our guide, Naomi Ishiwatari, who brought us around in Tokyo on 25th Oct during our trip there. We visited the Tsukiji Fish Market, Sensoji temple at Asakusa, Ameyoko Market and Akihabara.

She was very knowledgable, friendly and we really enjoyed her company. She also helped us to search for something which we wanted to buy in Akihabara by asking many people for directions and we really appreciate all the trouble she went to help us find the item. Without her, we would not know which train to take to the different places and what to see. She even bought us souvenirs at the fish market which was very sweet of her.

I would definitely recommend Tokyo Free Guide to any visitor who wants to visit Tokyo. Thanks to the team (especially Naomi) for making our stay there so enjoyable!

Cheers,
Joyce

October, 2008
Guide: Mitsuyo Fujiwara
Route: Tsukiji Market – Ginza – Imperial Palace – Tokyo Tower

Dear Tokyo Free Guide,

We would like to thank your organization for providing excellent service. The website is very important and contains a lot information about travelling in Tokyo.

Our guide was Mitsuyo Fujiwara. She was terrific. She helped us learn transportation map, find our way out, and arranged other tour so that we can travel on our own. She wanted to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see. Even before we arrived, she was extraordinarily kind and helpful. Not only she was fast to reply to our email, but she was very detailed in answering all questions. She did research and composed a list of inexpensive hotels for us. We learnt about Japanese culture and life. We were lucky to have one of your guide and would recommend anyone coming to Tokyo. We had a wonderful time.

Thanks to Mitsuyo for all of her guide. We look forward to our next visit to Japan.

Best Regards,
Erwin & Rose

August, 2008
Guide: Yu Arafuka
Route: Shinagawa – Tsukiji – Shiodome – Yanaka – Nezu – Shinjuku

Dear Tokyo Free Guide,

We wholeheartedly thank you for your group’s wonderful service. After　submitting my request online, within a few days we were matched up　with Yu Arafuka.? We exchanged a few e-mails where we let him know　some of the things we were interested in seeing and he came back with　suggestions of possible places to go.? For our tour, Yu was kind　enough to meet us directly at the lobby of our hotel.? Even more so, because we were interested in visiting Tsukiji Market, he was able and　willing to meet us at the early hour of 7am – we really appreciated　this!? Throughout the tour, he was very prepared knowing exactly where to go.? We would ask many questions about things we saw along the way　and about life in Japan and he tried very hard to give us an answer　even though some of our questions may have been a little difficult. Yu not only served as a wonderful guide, but was also a great　conversational partner and someone for us to ‘hang out’ with for a　whole day.? We are truly grateful for your group’s service (especially　for matching us with our wonderful tour guide Yu), and would not　hesitate to ask for a guide again next time we visit Tokyo!

Thank you once again,
Yan and David from Canada