Hi, I’m Riccardo
Hi, I’m Riccardo
I’ve lived in Tokyo for 16 years
I speak English, French, Japanese, Italian
I am Contractor
Hello! I'm Riccardo, your local host and Tokyo enthusiast. Tokyo is a city where tradition and modernity harmoniously collide, and I’m passionate about uncovering its hidden gems. From the bustling metropolis to its charming, small-town pockets, this city is full of surprises, and I love sharing its unique magic with visitors. My adventures go beyond the typical tourist trails. I specialize in exploring cozy, off-the-beaten-path spots that capture the essence of Japanese culture, revealing beauty in places most people overlook. With my local insight, I’ll guide you to experiences that are as authentic as they are unforgettable. Join me in discovering Tokyo’s heart, from serene backstreets to tucked-away tea houses. Together, we’ll embark on a journey of discovery where every step takes us deeper into the soul of this extraordinary city!
My knowledge & interests
Food
Nature / outdoors
Street food
Local cuisine
Fine dining
Unique & unusual foods
Cinema
Art galleries & museums
Parks
Scenic routes
Hikes
Social history
Modern architecture
Classical architecture
Wine
Artisanal tea
High-end fashion boutiques
Department stores
Lifestyle culture
Gourmet food
Local speciality drinks
Traditional drinks
Landscape photography
Classical music
Rock music
Ice and rock climbing
My reviews
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Ricardo was able to quickly adapt the plan with the limitations of our group. He also insured we got our books filled out at each shrine /temple. He left us with a great recommendation for a restaurant too.
Aug 2025
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The tour guide was awesome and so helpful. I sent a list of where I wanted to go and he set it up to go to those places. He was knowledgeable about the site and Japan in general.
Jul 2025
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Riccardo shared so many valuable experiences and knowledge! He gave us such an amazing introduction to the Japanese culture on our first day of visit!
Jul 2025
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We had the great pleasure a full day (8 hour) Tokyo tour with Riccardo. I've taken more than 20 private tours in cities around the world and can comfortably state that Riccardo was the best guide I've ever had. He is highly personable, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Tokyo and Japan more generally. He was very attentive to our needs both in preparing the itinerary and then throughout the day. After the first few minutes, we felt as though we were touring Tokyo with one of our friends. He is very thoughtful and highly intelligent and showed us Tokyo as only a local could. We went to places that we didn't know existed and learned things that were not readily available in podcasts, guidebooks and other published materials. Our day set a wonderful foundation for our entire Japan trip that followed and was truly a memorable experience. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in really understanding Tokyo and Japanese culture to spend some time with Riccardo.
Jun 2025