Thank you for visiting Okome Travelogs and Tours.
My name is Shinobu. I am a Tokyo-based private tour guide, travel writer, and freelance news translator for NHK World, Japan’s international broadcaster. I help visitors experience Japan not just as tourists, but as guests stepping into everyday local life.
The name “Okome” means rice—the heart of the Japanese table and a symbol of our daily life. Through my blog and fully customized private tours, I aim to share what Japan is really about: not only famous landmarks, but also the quiet streets, small shops, seasonal food, and human connections that shape life here.
I was born and raised in Tokyo. My first time living abroad was a high school homestay in Australia, where I realized that, while many people recognized the name “Japan,” very few knew what everyday life here was actually like. That experience stayed with me and became the starting point of my desire to become a bridge between Japan and the wider world.
I later studied law at a university in Tokyo and international relations at graduate school in Kyoto. During that time, I encountered English-language journalism and became fascinated by how stories cross borders. This led to a six-month internship at the Washington, D.C. bureau of The Yomiuri Shimbun, where I gained first-hand experience in international news reporting.
After graduating, I worked at the Foreign Press Center, Japan, supporting visiting journalists from around the world. I planned press tours, arranged interviews, and assisted with on-site reporting across Japan. At the same time, I trained in professional English news writing at a specialized school operated by a group company of NHK.
After completing the program, I began working as a freelance news translator for NHK World, translating daily news for a global audience. Alongside this work, I continued writing travel articles for English-language media. In 2024, I obtained Japan’s national tour guide certification, allowing me to guide international visitors professionally throughout the country.
Today, my main focus is private, fully customized tours based in Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Rather than fixed sightseeing routes, I design each itinerary around your interests—food, history, neighborhoods, arts, seasonal events, or everyday local culture. My tours are ideal for travelers who want to go beyond the guidebook and experience Japan in a personal, relaxed way.
In addition to tour guiding and travel planning, I also support journalists, researchers, and students with interview arrangements, field research, and on-the-ground logistics. This is an extension of my background in international media and coordination.
Whether you are visiting Japan for the first time, returning for a deeper experience, or coming for professional research, I would be delighted to help make your time here meaningful and memorable.
Thank you for visiting my site, and I look forward to welcoming you to Japan.