I am Hiroe Murayama, a government-licensed tour guide. I have two children and four grandchildren. My hobbies are cooking, travel, watching moveies, Japanese Calligraphy and tea ceremony.
I was born in the southern part of Japan and moved to Tokyo area for my job, an English teacher at junior high school. But I quit the job because I moved to New York with my family due to my husband’s job. While staying there and sharing nice time with my neighbors, I noticed that I should have studied English more. So, after coming back from the US, I started to brush up my English skill. While studying English, I thought that I wanted to be an English tour guide. It is the best way to brush up my English skill and increase the knowledge of Japanese things. After my two children have grown up, I decided to study to get the license of the national tour guide. I have started working as a tour guide since 2016.
I have joined some volunteer activities such as a volunteer medical interpreter in the Narita Red Cross Hospital and as English-speaking volunteer in “Edo Tokyo Museum” inTokyo. The activity in the museum have given me a lot of knowlefge about the present Tokyo and Edo (the former TOkyo). While visiting many sightseeing places in Tokyo, I will show you the historical background of the places.
I really enjoy my job since I started working because I have many chances to introduce Japanese things to many visitors from abroad and enjoy the time with them. I show them not only Japanese culture, history, foods and society but also what is going on here in Japan. My strong area is Tokyo, Kamakura, Yokohama, Hakone and so on.
As you know Tokyo is a very active and busy city but very attractive because its history started from early 17th century and has a very close relation with Edo period (1603~ 1867).
Edo, former Tokyo developed its own culture by samurai warriors, merchants and ordinary people. While walking around Tokyo, you can easily notice the long tradition of the city just next to the modern high-rise buildings.
I also love to show you around Hakone using a mountain train, cable car and rope way. The transportation system in Hakone is well organized, so visitors can enjoy the tour in Hakone as much as they want. It is said that the Hakone train system modeled itself after Swiss mountain train system. Kamakura was the place where the first Shogunate Government stated in the end of 12th century. Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan, is famous as the port city. The port was opened in foreign trade in 19th century.
I am really looking forward to meeting you and showing the attractiveness of Tokyo, the vicinity and Hakone.