Gulay

The Whimsical Historian

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  • I live in Tokyo
  • I speak English, Türkçe
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 11 hours

Hi there! Nice to meet you

Gulay

I am Gulay, I have been working as a professional guide since 2008, and studied Tourism Guidance at University. For 12 years I was a top-rated guide at the monuments in Istanbul. Then I moved to Spain (specifically Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) for a year and worked as a volunteer and mentor in at the European Voluntary Service.

Eventually, my interest in Japanese culture led me to Tokyo

5 years ago, and I love how I live and breathe Japanese history in this city. Drawing on my knowledge of archaeology and medieval history, I will bring to your attention the whimsical, the fantastic, and the obscure hiding around the corner.

I enjoy nothing more than sharing all that I have learned with others who are eager to explore this city with a cosmopolitan vibe and unique way of living.

Join me on my guided tours of Tokyo and fall in love with its unique lifestyle and culture, just as I have.

  • I live in Tokyo
  • I speak English, Türkçe
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 11 hours

My Tokyo in pictures

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Let's explore Tokyo together! As your local guide, I'll show you the best of Tokyo on a private & personalized tour for you.

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Reviews

Ana
8 June 2025
We had the absolute pleasure of touring Tokyo with Gulay as our guide, and it was truly one of the best decisions we made for our trip. We hired her for two separate days, and each one was packed with an incredible mix of must-see tourist sites and hidden local gems that we never would have discovered on our own. Gulay was extremely knowledgeable and clearly put a lot of thought and care into crafting an itinerary that suited our group perfectly. She struck a great balance between structure and spontaneity, always adapting to our pace and interests without ever making us feel rushed. Her easygoing personality made the days feel relaxed and enjoyable, and her flexibility ensured that everyone in our group — regardless of age — had a fantastic time. If you're visiting Tokyo and want a personalized, engaging, and seamless experience, I can’t recommend Gulay enough. She made our time in Japan so much more meaningful and memorable!AMAZING Tour Guide
Christina
26 May 2025
Our tour with Gulay was the perfect way to kick off our time in Tokyo. From the moment we met her, it was clear how passionate and knowledgeable she is—not just about the city, but also about helping visitors truly experience it. We were a group of 8, and she managed the size effortlessly, making sure everyone felt included and engaged. Her warmth and enthusiasm made it easy to ask questions, and she always had thoughtful insights and fun facts to share. Gulay’s excitement was infectious, and her thoughtful pacing allowed us to enjoy each stop without ever feeling rushed. We left the tour not only with a deeper understanding of Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District but also with a real appreciation for the culture and people—all thanks to Gulay. Highly recommend booking with her if you're visiting the city!Perfect Introduction to Tokyo!
Craig
25 May 2025
Gulag was so kind — we were late! She had a ton of great recommendations for restaurants which we followed. She was super helpful showing us how to use the train. Super knowledgeable about culture, shopping, history. We had a great time!Kind and superconowledgeable
Jane
25 May 2025
We had the best day with Gulay. She knew so much about Japan, showed us so much and gave us many recommendations for before and after our tour as well. After our time we truly felt like we had just spent the day with an old friend. We covered so much ground and learned so much about Tokyo. I’d recommend her over and over. Phenomenal guide
Cameron & Zenobia
19 May 2025
My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of taking The History of Tokyo: Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District Tour with Gulay, and it was hands down one of the most memorable parts of our Japan trip! From the very beginning, Gulay was warm, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. She guided us through the fascinating history of Sensoji Temple and the Asakusa district with such passion and detail—it felt like walking through the past with a close friend who just happens to be a historian. What made the experience truly unforgettable was how personal and thoughtful she made it. Gulay even took us to a traditional Japanese knife shop tucked away in the district, where I was able to purchase an authentic Japanese knife engraved with my name—a one-of-a-kind souvenir that I’ll treasure forever. She also shared insights on local customs, helped us participate in temple rituals, and pointed out hidden gems we never would have found on our own. Her recommendations for food, shops, and cultural tips were spot on and really enriched our stay in Tokyo. Highly, highly recommended!An Unforgettable Journey with Gulay!
Augusto
16 May 2025
The tour was excellent! Gulay was very friendly and knowledgeable, and she shared some really helpful tips on how to navigate Tokyo’s public transportation. She also recommended great places to visit, which made our experience even better. Highly recommend!Great experience
Paul
13 May 2025
Far and away the best guide of our trip, please book Gulay if you get the chance, not only does she know her stuff, she’s really nice too and was happy to tailor our tour to meet our next deadline. Also shared food and temple tips for other days. 10 out of 10Gulay is the best guide!
Michael
7 May 2025
What can i say other than thank thank thank you. Gulay made our Tokyo experience unforgettable. From the first moment we all met it was just great. Gulay is not only a great guide she is one of the nicest people we have ever met. Our 4 hours of Tokyo was unbelievable joyful and interesting. We seen places we would not have seen without her. And not only this. Gulay was so helpful for us with a lot of other things. We cannot thank her enough. She will be always in our memories and we hope we will meet again one day.More that we have hoped….
David
7 May 2025
I was travelling with my father (77) and my sons (17 and 20). On our first day in Japan, we took the Sensoji Temple & Asakusa tour with Gulay. The 4 of us were very satisfied with this experience.First day in Tokyo
Emma
27 April 2025
Gulay was a fabulous guide to help us get to know Tōkyō at the start of our trip. Would highly recommend. Also provided some great tips for the rest of our stay in Tokyo. Tokyo Kickstart tour review - Gulay

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