Meet Your Planner and Guide

Hello, I’m Shinobu, a Tokyo native and nationally licensed guide.

I have spent over a decade working as a Japanese-English translator on a freelance basis for NHK World, Japan’s international broadcasting service. In this role, I have helped communicate Japan’s news, culture, and social issues to audiences around the world.

Before starting freelancing, I worked at the Foreign Press Center, Japan, where I supported international journalists by coordinating research and press tours across Japan, designing visits tailored to specific themes and editorial goals.

These experiences shape how I guide today. I approach each tour with the same care I bring to journalism: listening closely, researching deeply, and sharing stories that help you see Japan from the inside.

A Personal Note

I have spent most of my life in Tokyo, with time living in Kyoto during graduate school. Traveling throughout Japan remains one of my greatest passions, particularly visiting traditional communities, regional towns, and hot spring destinations.

Discover my writing on Japan’s culture, places, and people →

These personal travel experiences continue to inspire my work and help me introduce visitors to aspects of Japan that often remain unseen.

Professional Credentials

• National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter (Feb. 2025)
• Certified Domestic Travel Service Supervisor (Oct. 2025)
• Japanese–English Translator (Broadcast & News Media)
• Travel Writer & Research Coordinator for International Media