The 'next Japan'
for the serial traveller!

Welcome to Tohoku!

Join our guided tours and uncover the local secrets of north-eastern Japan!
Let us introduce you to the incredible sights, tastes, events, culture and people that make Tohoku truly Japan’s best kept secret. And we should know!
All of our English/Japanese speaking expert guides are born-and-raised Tohoku locals or travel-savvy internationals who have adopted the region as their second home. Choose from one of our recommended tour programs or trust in your guide’s local knowledge to create a customized experience to suit your needs and interests.

Meet the team!

• MITSU
• JESS
• RICE CAKE
• MASA

LOCAL GUIDE PROFILE

Mitsu

About:

Hi, I’m Mitsu! I’m a Tohoku local, born and raised in Sendai City. Between back-packing as a student and working at a travel agency, I’ve travelled overseas over 30 times! Everywhere I go, I always find the best experiences are with a local guide. I want more travellers to experience the best of my home, Tohoku, so I’ve produced some bilingual walking tours and local experiences of my own!
In the incredible nature, scenery and food of Tohoku you’ll discover a Japan you never knew existed - perfect for repeater travellers coming back to Japan for a second or third time. I’ll take you to the places you won’t find in guidebooks; places only locals know where to find!

What’s your ‘local secret’?

Tohoku is also a treasure-trove of delicious food and talented local cooks whipping-up dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Being a huge food lover myself, I specialize in local foodie tours!
Let me guide you to the best (and tastiest!) local secrets.

Guide Superpower:

Can drive Taxi (Attracxi=Attraction + Taxi)! ,Foodie ,Sake,Outdoor
We will guide you wherever you want to go in Tohoku.

LOCAL GUIDE PROFILE

Jess

About:

Originally from Australia, Jess first came to Tohoku as an English teacher with the intention of staying one year…six years later she’s never looked back! When not guiding, you can find her soaking in a nearby hot-spring, hiking a mountain or sipping sake in the backstreet bars of Sendai City.

What’s your ‘local secret’?

One of the best things about living in Tohoku is the festivals! There is always something to look forward to. If you can align your trip with at least one it is by far the best way to feel the true essence of a town, interact with the local people and dive head-first into the (sometimes insane) local culture.

Guide Superpower:

Can locate the best coffee within a 1km radius in almost every city in Tohoku. Also has niche knowledge about local hot springs with the best outdoor baths!

LOCAL GUIDE PROFILE

RICE CAKE

About:

My real name is RAISUKE, but maybe hard for you to pronounce, so please call me RICE CAKE. After graduating from university in Minnesota, back to my home town Aomori prefecture and working as a member of local tour guide team called BACKSTREET DETECTIVE which take tourists to back street wonderland. Now I live in Sendai and take tourists all over the TOHOKU areas.

What’s your ‘local secret’?

Life style- drunk under cherry blossoms in spring, welcome ancestors by bonfire in summer, enjoy watching colorful autumn leaves in fall, and shovel snow early morning in winter. It’s not sightseeing, it is LIFE STYLE. I guess you have visited Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and maybe climbed Mt. Fuji(I’m not yet!). Then don’t hesitate to visit TOHOKU for enjoying Life style.

Guide Superpower:

When you see me, don’t forget to check my left hand. Beer is always there. It means, you can enjoy tour always with beer in your hand!

LOCAL GUIDE PROFILE

Masanori KUDO

About:

Masa is the chief marketing officer at In-outbound Sendai Matsushima, Inc., and also a licensed national guide (English). Having been involved in the recovery and reconstruction process of Tohoku immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011, he has worked with various people with diverse backgrounds.

What’s your ‘local secret’?

Definitely local people—fishermen, farmers, sake brewers, cooks, craftsmen, etc. Their lives are inextricably linked with nature and the environment. This has given them the power to overcome a disaster and bend adversity. They are not merely ‘disaster-affected people’ but also ‘resilient survivors’, and hopefully ‘thrivers’ in the future.

Guide Superpower:

Academic knowledge as a researcher, and hands-on experience as a practitioner.

Highlights

August 3 – 6

Tohoku Summer Festival Marathon (August 3 – 6)

August 3~5

Summer Festival Fever in Aomori

August 5 -6

Star Festival Duo: Akita Kanto & Sendai Tanabata

Saturday, August 10

Sustainable Kitchen in Izunuma

August 31

Omagari Fireworks Bus Tour (August 31)

Everyday

SUP Morning Cafe

Everyday

Local Fishing & Deserted Island BBQ

Everyday

Back-alley Bar Hopping in Sendai

Weekdays (except Tuesdays)

Sustainable Vineyard Picnic

Everyday

Green City Sendai: Morning hike & market brunch

Everyday

Green City Sendai: Early Morning Bird-watching

Everyday (except Sundays)

Izakaya Dinner with Tuna Show & Sushi Workshop

Everyday *except Wed, Sun

Foodie Tour in Shiogama

Everyday

Hungry Samurai: Sendai Food & Culture Tour

Everyday (except Sunday)

Spirit of Japanese Sake in Shiogama

Everyday

Staycation at a ‘Love Hotel’

October ~ March

Oyster Paradise Matsushima

Everyday (except Mondays)

Recovery Cycling Tour

Everyday (except Mon, Sun)

Premium Sake & Sendai Tasting Plate

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