Okayama Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

What Is a Private Walking Tour of Okayama Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Europe. They had almost retired and were enjoying their free time, having traveled to many countries around the world. Among these, they held a deep affection for Japan. The guests came from a multicultural background, which conveyed a wonderful sense of cross-cultural harmony. They had also visited Japan before COVID-19. As they follow a vegetarian diet, they are careful about choosing ingredients. Since they would be staying in Okayama, I recommended some tofu restaurants for them.

Today the daytime high temperature reached about 35 degrees, so we sweated quite a bit while sightseeing, protecting ourselves with sunglasses, parasols, and hats. First, at Nishigawa Canal Park, we took a leisurely stroll along the beautiful park that follows the Nishigawa, which is actually a canal flowing through the center of the city. Although few overseas tourists visit here, the guests liked it very much. The guest photo was taken there, and it struck me as a surprisingly proud tourist attraction.

Next, we visited Okayama Korakuen, which could be called the main highlight, and here they seemed a little surprised by the lawn garden rather than the moss more commonly found in Japanese gardens. At a teahouse in the garden, we enjoyed cold matcha and mitsumame. They smiled at the calls of the cranes seeking food, as well as the large carp opening their mouths wide, also looking for food. They also showed interest in the ecology of the turtles and the herons. Despite it being a Saturday, there were surprisingly few tourists, and they admired the beautiful space that uses Okayama Castle and the nearby mountains as "borrowed scenery."

We then headed to Okayama Castle, where they offered interesting commentary comparing it with castles in Europe. They reflected on the harsh Sengoku period. Here, I explained the origin of the name Okayama, and when I told them that Okayama Castle stands atop the "Okayama," a hill of less than 10 meters in elevation, they were very surprised.

For me personally, guiding work had been quiet in August, so despite the heat, I felt refreshed and fulfilled by this wonderful encounter and experience.

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Tour Report by Sam

My name is Susumu Hiramatsu. I am a national government licensed guide interpreter. I became a guide interpreter in 1992. My educational background started with a BA in law, then an MA in English language education, and completed a doctoral course without a degree in English language teaching. My occupational career began with a bank officer, then shifted to a translation and interpretation company, finally became a freelance translator, interpreter, and college teacher. I handle conference interpretation, namely simultaneous interpretation. As for the guide interpreter, my interest covers wide areas including politics and business, but I deem cultural aspects to be fundamental. I am always encouraging myself to be filled with Japanese hospitality.