Dear guests, I have been guiding since 2016 not only in my hometown of Otaru, Hokkaido but almost all over Japan. I work on cruise ships as an onboard tour guide a few times a year sometimes more than a month. Thus I have guided from the northern tip of Hokkaido to the subtropical islands of Okinawa.
In my previous career, I worked for Otaru City Council for 34 years in various departments including Public Relations Manager and as the Director of Otaru City Museum, which gave me a deep understanding of the history and natural history of Otaru and Hokkaido.
During the pandemic time I kept on working as an online tour guide for Amazon Explore, introducing my hometown of Otaru to the world.
I like hiking, bird watching, cross country skiing, and was an avid long-distance triathlete in my younger days.
Aug 10, 2026
lph2007
Tripadvisor review: Otaru Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent private tour of Otaru with Roy
We had…
Aug 10, 2026
lph2007
Tripadvisor review: Otaru Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent private tour of Otaru with Roy
We had a fantastic day exploring Otaru with Roy. He was an excellent guide: extremely knowledgeable, very flexible, and able to share his expertise on a wide range of subjects, from the history of Otaru to nature and botany, as well as the sake production process.
Roy adapted the itinerary to our interests and wishes throughout the day, which made the experience particularly enjoyable and personal.
We started by taking the cable car up Mt. Tengu, followed by a very pleasant 30-minute walk around the summit. We then visited a local sake brewery, where we learned about the production process and had the opportunity to taste several different types of sake.
Afterwards, we explored Otaru itself, including the lively shopping street, the famous canal, and the historic former financial district. Roy provided interesting explanations and context at every stop, which really helped us understand the history and character of the city.
We were extremely happy with the whole experience and would highly recommend both this tour and Roy as a guide to anyone visiting Otaru.