Hello! My name is Hiromi Nakano, but if it’s hard to pronounce, please feel free to call me “Mee.”
I think it helps to know what kind of person your guide is, so let me tell you a little about myself.
I was born and raised in Oita, in the southern part of Japan.
My hometown is surrounded by mountains and rice fields, so I’ve always loved nature!
I still remember that when I was playing at the park with my friends in elementary school, a man who didn’t look Japanese walked by us, and I said “Hello” to him in English. Then, he replied, “Hello.”
It was such a brief moment, but it left a big impression on me.
That experience sparked my interest in the world outside of Japan.
I don’t remember exactly when it started, but at some point, I began to dream of studying abroad. I was especially a big fan of Robin Williams and Hollywood movies, so I wanted to go to the United States.
Eventually, I was able to spend a year in high school as an exchange student in California from 2002 to 2003.
After that, I studied journalism and international sociology at university and worked at a TV station. My main job was covering police-related news stories.
Since childhood, I have always been curious about many things around me, so working as a journalist was the perfect job for me.
However, I quit after getting married, and in my late 20s to 30s, I raised my three children while living in various parts of Japan due to my husband’s job transfers. During that time, I worked in tourism-related jobs wherever I moved.
It was around then that I became interested in working as an interpreter guide and started studying for it.
Since I’ve always loved Japanese history, it was a perfect fit for me!
I obtained the “National Interpreter Guide” license in 2017. I really enjoy this job!
I usually like anime and art, so I’m good at guiding visitors around those cultural spots.
What matters most to me is having fun while exploring Tokyo together.
Instead of acting like a formal guide, I’d like to take you to the places you’re curious about—just like I would when spending time with my friends. I’m looking forward to meeting you!
*My cats. (I am a cat person
)