Hi, I’m Mari
Hi, I’m Mari
I’ve lived in Tokyo for 40 years
I speak English
I am an Office Worker
Hi there! I'm Mari, a Tokyo enthusiast. My passion for travel has led me to live in the US, Canada, and Australia, but my heart always brings me back to Tokyo. From the enchanting cherry blossoms to the captivating world of animation, there's no end to the wonders of this city. I'm a devout foodie, convinced that Japanese cuisine is the world's best, and I never tire of uncovering new delightful spots. Having roamed Tokyo's neighborhoods since childhood (and yes, that includes countless trips to Tokyo Disneyland in Chiba!), I'm eager to share its secrets with fellow adventurers like you. Dive into Tokyo's magic with me!
My knowledge & interests
Food
Drinks
Arts
Nature / outdoors
History
Shopping
Photography
Culture & customs
Street food
Local cuisine
Desserts
Food markets
Fine dining
Unique & unusual foods
Theater
Cinema
Art galleries & museums
Street art
Parks
Gardens
Scenic routes
Wildlife
Hikes
Political history
Economic history
Social history
Architectural history
Religious history
Cityscape photography
Street photography
Portrait photography
Wine
Whiskey
Third wave coffee
Gin
Local beers
Artisanal tea
High-end fashion boutiques
Department stores
Vintage shops
Street markets
Handicrafts & souvenirs
Traditional culture
Popular culture
Religious customs
Lifestyle culture
Rituals & ceremonial customs
Alternative or underground culture
Gourmet food
Vegetarian food
Vegan food
Local speciality drinks
Traditional drinks
Japanese sake
Painting
Sculpture
Traditional art
Digital art
Contemporary art
Thrift stores
Second-hand markets
Specialty shops
Bookstores
Video game stores
Music stores
Antique shops
Landscape photography
Wildlife photography
Action photography
Sports photography
Food photography
Fashion photography
Commercial photography
Night photography
Nature photography
Ethnic culture
My reviews
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We did a day trip to Hakone and Fuji with our guide Mari. What a wonderful experience! We met Mari at the Shinjuku station just west of our hotel, and hopped on the 2 hour train to Fuji. Visitors to Fuji don't always see the peak but we knew we had a good chance as it was a bright sunshine filled day. Mari seated us on the right of the train and on the ride up, Fuji burst into view in all its glory. We then transferred to a special railcar that climbs the mountain switchbacks to Hakone. We were there mid April and cherry blossoms in Tokyo were starting to fade, but at the higher altitude and cooler temps of Hakone they were in full bloom! We took a break and Mari walked us around some cherry blossom stands near the Hakone station, then next, a short ride up the steep hill on a funicular. At the top we disembark to transfer to cable car gondola for the final ascent to Fuji - Mari knew just where to stand and sit for the best views - and mid way along the Ropeway, Fuji appeared from behind a ridgeline - huge and snow covered. The ropeway ends at a large viewing station - we spent awhile walking around, admiring the unobstructed views of Fuji and taking plenty of pics. Despite the warm temps of Tokyo, and the sun, at Hakone it was cool and very windy - so if you are going be prepared and bring down jackets or raincoats against the wind. The winds built up to point that the Ropeway was shut down, resulting in a huge line for busses - but with Mari's help, we called a cab and got back home at a reasonable time. A great day with lots of memories.
April 2025
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Mari was an incredible guide! This was our first time in Tokyo and she did a great job showing us around many popular sites and to some fun shops! She was very friendly and informative. Thank you Mari for a great tour!
April 2025
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Mari was amazing! Fantastic tour.
April 2025
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Mari was wonderful. She escorted us from Tokyo to Hakone/ Fuji (which we would never have been able to figure out on our own ). The views were stunning. We had a bit of a glitch in that high winds caused a shutdown of the Ropeway down. Mari was able to figure out a way for us to get back without standing in the long line. After the tour she even helped us flag a taxi and directed the driver how to get to the dinner restaurant we reserved.
April 2025