MY BIO
I'm Yuka, a Yokohama resident nestled in the stunning bay area near Tokyo.
Since 2005, I've proudly served as an English-speaking tour guide, a role that brings immense joy and fulfillment to my life.
My journey has been shaped by a unique blend of experiences and passions. As a child, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in American culture during a five-year stint in Chicago, where my sister and I were the only Japanese students at our school. Returning to Japan sparked a personal quest to understand my identity and explore the fascinating symbiosis between American and Japanese cultures.
In college, I delved into the world of Japanese folklore, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and gaining insight into what it truly means to be Japanese. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for guiding. Despite the challenges of rigorous requirements and exams, I embraced the journey and eventually obtained my government guide license.
My guiding career began with an Australian company, where I traversed Japan, leading groups of enthusiastic travelers. Over seven transformative years, I evolved from a tour leader to a Japan Destination Manager, gaining valuable experience in the tourism industry.
In 2014, I launched Showcase Tokyo Architecture Tours, blending my love for art and architecture. Together with my proficient guide team, we offer private tours to English-speaking guests, uncovering the architectural wonders of Tokyo while focusing on mutual communication. We eagerly anticipate transcending the typical roles of guest and guide, exchanging insights and experiences to foster friendships rooted in our mutual love for Tokyo's architectural marvels. We are also pleased to collaborate with hotels to develop original tours in the neighborhood for their guests, as well as provide tours for art-loving travel agents and study tours for architectural firms.
My role as a guide is to connect my guests to the area, establishment, or local people they want to meet. Curating a day for well-traveled, sophisticated, fun-loving, enthusiastic guests is always a challenge to me, but I'm fortunate to have these opportunities to deepen my understanding of Tokyo and Yamaguchi.
As an inbound tourism specialist listed by the Japan Tourism Agency, I worked with Ube City in Yamaguchi Prefecture for nearly three years, which has become a second hometown in my heart. During this time, I poured my passion into creating tours for international visitors and conducting guide training from scratch.
Beyond work, I'm a proud mother of two delightful girls and a lover of healthy cooking, though I do have a soft spot for enjoying a daytime beer. Hiking is a shared passion for my husband and me, and we even celebrate our wedding anniversaries with hikes.
I can't wait to share Tokyo and Yamaguchi's unique blend of art, architecture, and culture with you.
Let's embark on an unforgettable journey together.