Meet your Local Expert, Kanae!

Kanae Matsubara

Kanae M.

Certified
5.0(10)

English, Japanese

JapanJapan

Tokyo, Kanagawa

Kanae

Hi! I'm Kanae. Let's Have fun!

🎨 Art Lover🏯 Cultural Enthusiast🧘 Mindful Explorer

Hello, I’m Kanae. I’ve always loved traveling. When I was young, I admired the world outside Japan and often tried to imitate what I saw overseas. But as I continued exploring the US, Europe, India, China, and many other places, I began to wonder: What does it really mean to be Japanese? What are the landscapes, customs, and quiet beauties that should be cherished and preserved? Learning about different countries and cultures has expanded my world, and I believe it will do the same for you. But today’s tourism sometimes “consumes” culture too quickly. That is exactly why I’m here—to guide you gently into the parts of Japan that still feel real and alive. I study traditional arts such as tea ceremony and kimono, and these practices help me understand the spirit of Japanese aesthetics—ma, yohaku, simplicity, and the beauty of subtle change. I have lived in Kyoto for six years, in northern Hyogo for three years, and over forty years in the Kanto region. Some of my most beloved places are my hometown Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Kinosaki—places where history, nature, and daily life blend beautifully. My tours focus not on checking off many places, but on slowing down—so that you can notice the small, unexpected moments that make Japan special. I take guests to local neighborhoods like Gotokuji, Jindaiji, Ginza, Omotesando, Hakone, and many other hidden corners that don’t appear in guidebooks. I also love designing comfortable and thoughtful plans for families with children, helping each guest feel connected, welcomed, and safe. I’m here to help you discover a Japan that goes deeper than sightseeing— a Japan you can truly feel.

Available Tours

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Tour Reviews

5.0
Based on 10 reviews
S
Selecia
Mar 10th, 2026

Initially, we had a rough itinerary planned for the day, however it was raining and Kanae was quick thinking and provided us some wet weather plans. She was kind, and it was a great getting to know her and her hometown Overall we had a great time with Kanae ☺️

E
Emily
Feb 27th, 2026

Kanae was so sweet, I learned so much and really enjoyed the cafe we visited.

A
Alison
Feb 19th, 2026

It was great to meet Kanae and explore a bit of Yokohama. She is friendly and generous and gave recommendations for food and other experiences in the area and otherwise. She is also very knowledgeable about other topics and areas in Japan. I would highly recommend her, she has so much knowledge and passion to share.

L
Lauren Johnson
Feb 11th, 2026

Kanae-san was a wonderful tour guide, very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Really made sure I had a nice time. Thank you again for everything.

O
Olivia Cappello
Dec 13th, 2025

Kanae is so knowledgeable about Tokyo and Kyoto, and her love of the city shines through in her tours. Going out with Kanae is like having another friend to explore with, and we had the best time with her. I appreciated how attentive she was to our wishes for our visit—she planned an extra special stop for us on our stationery tour that I’ll remember for years to come.

Language Match

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