Tour Guide Hiro

Hiroaki Miyaoka

Guiding you through Tokyo and Saitama is my passion. My mission is to bridge cultures and create unforgettable experiences. I look forward to helping you write your own unique story in Japan.

My name is Hiro, a licensed tour guide. I was born in Saitama in 1959. At university, I majored in Western philosophy, and I took on the challenge of writing my graduation thesis on Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason. Although I mostly relied on Japanese translations rather than German, I still managed to grasp its profound depth.

During my university days, I also trained in karate. I earned a black belt, but I no longer practice. However, I enjoy watching martial arts, and I am particularly captivated by the intensity of sumo wrestling. I admire the fact that it’s not divided by weight class, and I love watching smaller wrestlers face off against larger ones. Being of a smaller stature myself, I am inspired by the strategies and mindset of these smaller wrestlers like Midorifuji, Enho, and Ultra.

After graduating from university, I worked as a social studies teacher at high schools in Saitama for 38 years. I am grateful for the many young people I encountered and the various experiences I had. One of the most valuable experiences was serving as the advisor for the mountaineering club for many years. I still go hiking from time to time.

Aside from martial arts and travel, I also enjoy playing the flute. Although I have been playing for a long time, I still have much room for improvement, and it’s always a joy to make progress. I’m not comfortable performing in public, so I plan to gradually upload my performances on YouTube.

In 2020, I retired and became a licensed tour guide. Although I obtained my national tour guide license while still employed, I couldn’t work as a guide due to regulations. So, in 2018, I joined TFG (Tokyo Free Guide), a volunteer guide organization, to gain experience. Through this activity, I solidified my decision to become a tour guide. I still volunteer once or twice a month because it’s such a rewarding experience. Please check out the website, although I regret to say that it cannot fulfill all requests. That’s why I set up my own site, where I offer paid guiding services.

I live with my wife and our lovebird, Epi-chan. My wife is the same age as me and a former teacher. We’re enjoying our retirement life together. Epi-chan is our little star and was a precious source of comfort for us during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qualifications: National Certified Tour Guide Interpreter (EN00372) / Practical English Proficiency Level 1. / Qualified as a Domestic Travel Business Manager (2019) / Certified as a Comprehensive Travel Business Manager (2020)