“ Yoshi is the perfect guide — knowledgeable, funny, and so deeply connected to the neighbourhood. We visited places no tourist would ever find on their own. Hands down the best experience of our Japan trip.
吉
Yoshi
CEO & Guide
YOUR LOCAL GUIDE / あなたのローカルガイド
Hi, I'm Yoshi
Born and raised in Tokyo, I've spent over a decade exploring more than 1,000 sake bars, izakayas, and hidden dining rooms that never make it onto any tourist map.
I started guiding because I wanted international visitors to experience the Japan that locals actually live in — not the version packaged for tourists.
Every tour I offer is run personally by me. I never hand guests off to a subcontractor. When you book with Japan Local Experience, you get Yoshi.
Yoshi's Story
I grew up in a neighbourhood of Tokyo where locals ran izakayas out of their front rooms and neighbours shared cold beers on summer evenings. That world still exists — you just need someone to take you there.
After years of working in a career that kept me indoors, I made the decision to share my city the way I know it. My first Airbnb experience listing went live in 2015, and within a year I had hundreds of five-star reviews from guests who said it was the highlight of their Japan trip.
My philosophy is simple: take people somewhere they couldn't find on their own, introduce them to people they'd never otherwise meet, and let Tokyo surprise them.
When I'm not guiding, I create content on YouTube and Instagram sharing Japan travel tips for English-speakers who want to go deeper than the guidebook.
- 1,000+
- Izakayas Explored
- 4.97★
- Average Rating
- 2,400+
- Happy Guests
- 10+
- Years Guiding
What Guests Are Saying
Verified reviews from Airbnb and Viator
★ 4.97★ Airbnb ★ 4.9★ Viator
“ Yoshi took us to a tiny sake bar tucked behind a ramen shop that we never would have found in a million years. The whole night felt like being let in on a secret. We've already recommended this to everyone we know.
“ Starting the day at Meiji Shrine with Yoshi was genuinely magical. He explained the rituals in a way that made everything feel personal and meaningful, not like a textbook. The brunch after was incredible too.
“ We are Japanese-Brazilian and even we discovered things about Tokyo we had never known. Yoshi is a true local and it shows in every single moment of the tour. Cannot recommend this highly enough.
“ The Tsukiji tour was packed with incredible food and fascinating stories. Yoshi clearly knows everyone at the market — we were treated like VIPs. The tamagoyaki alone was worth the price of admission.
“ Do yourself a favour and book this tour before you go to Tokyo. Yoshi is warm, welcoming, and makes you feel like you're exploring the city with a friend who just happens to know every hidden gem in Shinjuku.
Choose Your Platform
Book directly on the platform of your choice — all bookings go to Yoshi personally.