Osaka: Kuromon Market & Onitsuka Tiger — Guide Masa

I’m Masayuki Koike. I passed the National Guide Interpreter test in 2021, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I didn’t have any chance for guiding. But this January I started guiding foreign travelers to Japan. Since then, I guided FIT 6 times, Sumo Osaka tournament tour with chanko-nabe 4 times and Kyoto, Nara, Himeji bus tour 11 times . My guiding, based on broad knowledge of history, geography and Japanese culture, and in case of bus tour presenting a quiz on a bus, is very popular among guests. In addition, I’ve experienced a volunteering interpreter at sport events such as Rugby World Cup in 2019, and World Para Athletics in Kobe in 2024. Furthermore, I have experienced supporting foreigners in many cultural events such as Noh, Kodan, moon-viewing event and the like. Also, I’m Eiken-Ikkyu.
I play tennis twice a week, attend a gym to do yoga two times a week and walk more than 8,000 steps a day to keep my health. When guiding, I walk around 25,000 steps. My sales point is being positive, having enough responsibility to fulfill my duty. As for English, I ‘m a member of East Kobe Toastmasters Club. I join 4 online English-studying groups a week. I read English newspaper twice a week and listen to NHK rajio-eikaiwa every day.
The reason why I want to be a tour guide is that I thought now is the time to do it, with lots of foreign visitors coming to Japan. I would like them to feel “it was an enjoyable day with a good tour guide”. For that purpose, I would like to guide with the mind of hospitality.
I live in Higashinada ward in Kobe, the nearest station is Konanyamate, JR WEST Kobe Line. So, I can go to Osaka in 30 minutes, Kyoto 60 minutes, Nara 70 minutes, Himeji 60 minutes.
I live with my wife. I have two children, a boy living in Tokyo, a girl living close to my condo.
My hobby is singing, especially Beethoven’s Symphony NO. 9. I have experienced singing 21 times as a member of chorus in a big theater. It’s my great joy.
Also, traveling is my joy. Before the pandemic, I visited several countries like UK and Italy with my wife. These days yen is weak, so we often take domestic trips.
In my high school days, I belonged to ESS( English Speaking Society). I participated in All Japan Inter-Senior-High School English Oratorical Contest for the Churchill Trophy and was awarded the 5th place. As for my job career, I was mainly engaged in domestic jobs such as accounting. There I learned the importance of diligence and hardworking. After retirement, I restarted studying English and got a job as a tutor at a cram school. I taught there for 5 years.
Would you please give me a chance for guiding?
Best regards.