Rent a Local Friend

Hi, I am Manami

I'm from Tokyo, Japan

My Fees

  • Local Friend

    $ 35/h USD

  • Virtual Friend

    $ 15/h USD
Contact the friend to negotiate payment.

About me

Hi! My name is Manami. I am Japanese born and raised in Tokyo.
I joined Rent a Local Friend because I always wished there was a service that tourists can easily rely on Japanese locals when they need urgent help.

I studied one year in Germany and did an internship in Switzerland. I have a day job at an American IT firm, but I personally offer cultural tours and origami workshop for foreign visitors.

If you book me in-person, I can taylor a few hours for you with things to do and places of interest. I am particulary good at finding nice cafes and bars, explaining Japanese culture and sharing hidden rules or social etiquette.

If you book me online, I will be your virtual assistant to help you survive and enjoy Tokyo. You can ask me when you get lost at train stations, when you can't find your accomodation, when you become sick or when you don't know where to have vegetarian/vegan food.

Looking forward to connect with you!

friend presentation

Interests

  • Art, Photography & Writing
  • Family & Kids
  • Gastronomy
  • Local Shopping
  • Music & Nightlife
  • Wellness & Nature

City's Tips & Traps

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    Best places to taste sake for beginners

    If you are interested in sake but not sure where to go, feel free to reach out to me. I have a list of local spots including sake tasting bars, izakaya (Japanese bar and dining) , and non-franchise restaurants. If you need help, I will book the place on behalf of your group, talk with the staff to make sure you have a comfortable experience there.
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    Kimono style clothes in Shinjuku

    I love kimono but it takes time to dress up. So my alternatives are one pieces, T-shirts and jackets with kimono style designs. They are very easy to wear and comfortable as they use good textiles. Most importantly, they are sold at reasonable prices. I will take you to the shop, which line ups this kind of clothes as well as various Japanese traditional stuff.
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    Sento! Public bath in Tokyo

    Japan is now having the biggest ever Sauna trend. More and more people are calling themselves “Sauna-r” lol. With that, spas and sento (local public bath) are rapidly evolving, renovating old facilities and appealing to new young fans. I am really enjoying trying sento here and there because they are all so unique in their own ways.
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    My favorite craft gin bar

    I have been to this hidden bar specialized in craft gin for more than 3 years. They offer about 300 kinds of gin from all over the world. I was impressed with their line ups of Japanese gin as they always use local ingredients from each region.

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Review Friend: Manami

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Write about your own experiences guiding as a Local Friend. You can write these on your own voice, relating the unique experiences you were able to give who was traveling with you. Example: "Last week, I guided a traveler from Spain who wanted to experience the city beyond the main attractions. We started with a quiet morning at a small coffee shop only locals know, then wandered through a street art alley where I could share the stories behind each mural. They told me it was their favorite part of the trip because it felt like discovering a secret side of the city, one they would have never found alone."