What Is a Private Okayama Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle The guests were from Europe: the group included a student. One of the guests spoke warmly on the phone during the tour. It was unfortunately a rainy day, but thankfully it was not a heavy downpour. Overseas guests often do not use umbrellas, but the guests had lovely umbrellas, and when I asked where they had bought them, the answer was a convenience store. They were surprisingly nice umbrellas for a convenience store. At Korakuen Garden, we purchased a combined ticket with Okayama Castle, and the student was admitted free upon presenting a student ID. They had been told to present it at Okayama Castle as well to be admitted free, but when we actually went to Okayama Castle, we were told that the free admission was "limited to high schools within Okayama Prefecture," and I found the difference in handling puzzling. It is true that Korakuen Garden is under the jurisdiction of Okayama Prefecture, while Okayama Castle is under the jurisdiction of Okayama City, but I felt they should adopt a unified standard. Initially, one of the guests had wished to also visit the Okayama Prefectural Museum located across from Korakuen Garden, but perhaps partly because of this, it was excluded from the destinations. At Korakuen Garden, the pond was being cleaned, so we were able to see a rare sight. It was also truly heartwarming to see them happily buying fu (wheat gluten) feed for the carp and feeding them. In addition, they bought several incense holders at the Korakuen Garden shop that they had missed buying in Kyoto, which put me at ease as well. Moreover, at Okayama Castle they were able to sit on a model horse, and looked very pleased. I heard that, like dancing, horseback riding was one of their hobbies. Finally, we strolled through Nishigawa Green Belt Park with its vivid fresh greenery before heading back. What surprised me was that one of the guests was gifted in languages, speaking not only Slovene and English but also, remarkably, Korean, Chinese, and a little Japanese. I was amazed when they explained the Hangul lettering of a Korean restaurant in town. This time, multiple guides handled the same guests, and their "coordination" paid off — for example, enabling the purchase of the incense holders — and I thought this new system was wonderful.

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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.

Title: What Is a Private Tea Ceremony Experience in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They had been looking forward to a tea ceremony experience, and the reservation was booked for 14:00–16:00, but it finished surprisingly quickly. The experience was for three participants, yet after paying 20,000 yen, it ended in only about 20 to 30 minutes. The guests were disappointed by how short it was, and although there were two guests, only one of them was allowed to perform the tea preparation. The sweets served were not fresh Kyoto-style confections but plain white manju buns. On top of that, I mistook the time and ended the session one hour early. I truly felt sorry for the trouble I caused the guests.

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Tour Report by Harumi

Hello, my name is Harumi, and I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan. I have been actively involved in volunteer activities for many years, sharing my passion for Japanese culture and history. As a kimono dressing instructor, I can provide hands-on kimono experiences and guide tours. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling, making my tours ideal for those interested in this fascinating sport. I am also well-versed in Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūdenken) and can introduce historical townscapes dating back to the Edo period. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you around the sake brewing process in the Nada region.

What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Yanaka, and Shibuya The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, arriving from Europe. The purpose of this trip to Japan was to board an 11-day cruise departing from the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, starting the day after next. They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous night and taken a taxi to their hotel. The night before, they had joined a food tour in the Kabukicho area of Shinjuku. They said they wanted to see the main sights of Tokyo today, and to relax at the hotel the following day. They also mentioned they wanted to enjoy eating from food stalls. Although it was overcast, we were able to finish the tour without rain. It took some time to meet the guests (as described later), so we departed about 30 minutes later than planned. First, we went to Tsukiji. As always, it was very crowded. I explained "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between the Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There were questions and comments such as "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It is crowded, but it does seem there are many tourists." They said they wanted to try something, but not raw fish. In the end they purchased and sampled grilled king crab, shumai dumplings, and fried oysters. They also purchased matcha. After that, we moved to Asakusa. We started from the front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos at Kaminarimon and various spots, and slowly strolled along the fully packed Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the main religions in Japan?" "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?" and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" There was also a question about why one sees people wearing kimono within the temple grounds. Since they expressed a wish to go somewhere off the usual tourist track and not crowded, we headed to the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi area. About Yanaka Ginza, they commented, "It is quiet and calm; this is the kind of place we wanted to visit." At a bakery, they purchased and sampled sandwiches. They also had beer at a standing bar. At Nezu Shrine, we passed through the torii gates and paid our respects. The azaleas were nearly in full bloom. They said, "Unlike Asakusa, it is quiet, and I prefer this." We moved to Shibuya. Looking at Shibuya Scramble Square, they said, "I do not want to walk inside there." There were also questions such as "About how many people cross at once?" and "Why did it become famous?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There were comments and questions such as "The city is clean and there is no litter on the ground. We sometimes travel to various parts of Europe, but everywhere is full of trash," "There are no trash bins on the streets. Why is that?" "Everyone is quiet on the trains," "The subway is far better made than the London Underground," and "There are vending machines everywhere." We saw them off at Shinjuku-Gyoemmae Station and parted ways.

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Tour Report by Masa

Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

What Is a Private Walking Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They were soft-spoken and courteous, and they listened attentively to the explanations and stories. At the morning market, they asked where the crab and salmon came from and how these are eaten. I did not expect that they would also want to go inside the Hakodate Magistrate's Office. They asked about the construction of Japanese houses, samurai, and ninja, which made the guiding rewarding. It was also interesting to talk about trends among the younger generation in their home region. I had wanted to talk in more detail about the churches in the Motomachi district, but it started raining earlier than expected, and since we did not have umbrellas, we ended the tour and returned to the hotel.

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Tour Report by Akira

Hello, my name is Akira Matsumoto, a national government-licensed guide in Hakodate and Sapporo. I’m a retired public school science teacher and have been working as a professional tour guide for more than five years. (Before retirement, I used to work as a volunteer guide mainly in Hakodate for more than 10 years) So I know every corner of Hakodate and its history, culture, and food.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I got into the graduate school of Hokkaido University, and in Japan’s modern history.
So I am well-versed in Japanese history, Hokkaido’s local history, and the Ainu aborigine people’s culture.
I can offer you an informative and enjoyable tour with a polite and hospitable atmosphere.
I like to interact and communicate with foreign people and introduce my guests to Japan’s beautiful scenery, wonderful culture,
and best food. I assure you that I will welcome you with my best hospitality and make every effort to make your tour a good memory.

Title: What Is a Private Sake Brewery and Castle Tour in Morioka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Around 13:40, I met the guests, who arrived by Shinkansen from Sendai, at the Shinkansen ticket gate. The Shinkansen ticket gates were said to have two entrances, a south and a north gate, but when I actually did an advance check, I found that there is now only one. Since I had told them we would meet at the north gate, I sent an update via a messaging app. I was able to meet the guests without trouble, though one of them arrived at the gate a little later than the other and seemed rather tired. For the Welcome Board, I used one that said "Good looking guests," and the guests laughed. Also, for the first time, I tried using the phrase, "I've been so looking forward to meeting you." As I had exchanged messages several times beforehand via a messaging app, they seemed a little pleased. The current JR Morioka Station is under renovation, so it looks different from usual. For older visitors, going up and down stairs can be quite hard. I had known for some time that the JR Morioka Station building is barrier-free, so this time I did an advance check of a route that could reach the hotel in front of the station without using any stairs at all. On this day my right knee was hurting and going up and down the station stairs was difficult (I tend to get gout). The hotel where they were staying is right in front of the station, but you cannot reach the hotel without going through an underground passage. For those with weak legs or knees, the underground passage is the most difficult part. This time we used a total of three elevators and were able to reach the hotel without using any stairs at all. Inside the Morioka Station building there is a restaurant street named "Fesan," along with souvenir shops, a prepared-food corner, and shopping areas. While transferring between elevators, we happened to pass a yakitori shop I like named "Nihon-ichi" inside Fesan. I promoted it by saying, "It may not be number one in Japan as the name claims, but it's a pretty tasty yakitori shop." The guest seemed to like Fesan. We arrived at the hotel at 14:00. I had the guests check in, and since they seemed to need a little rest, we decided to meet again in the hotel lobby at 14:55. I had the hotel reserve a taxi, and at 14:55 we set off for the "Asabiraki Sake Brewery." On the way, I asked the driver to take a route where the stone walls of Morioka Castle Ruins Park could be seen from inside the taxi. I explained the history of Morioka Castle. We arrived at "Asabiraki" in no time. Right after arriving, before the factory tour, I explained that sake is a gift to the gods, and that good-quality water and rice are the most important things of all. Regarding the sugidama (cedar ball), I explained that the cedar branches are 'green' (each November) and 'brown' (matured). Then at the factory we changed from shoes into slippers and went up to the fourth floor by stairs, and at this point I sensed that one of the guests seemed to be having a hard time. Even when I asked "Are you okay?" the guest said "I'm fine." The person explaining the Factory Tour was someone who has helped me several times before. The explanation of the process was in Japanese, so I interpreted, but partway through their questions were completely different from those of guests I had guided before. Several technical terms came flying out. For example, questions like "What do you do with the lees?" I thought, "Wait! What's that?" but I couldn't say "I don't know," so I inferred from the context that it might mean the 'leftover residue,' and there were several times I relayed this to the explainer. Here, if I could have said something like, "In sake making, nothing goes to waste. We do not throw away what remains," it would have been cool. As always, I felt disappointed in myself. These things do stay in your memory. Around this time, I began to think, "Something's a little unusual here. These people aren't just casual sake lovers." As it turned out, one of the guests was the owner of a beer brewing company. And from Europe, no less. I later felt embarrassed about my poor explanations in English. What I learned this time: "The process of making delicious sake" ① (The magic of Koji) Koji mold turns rice starch into sugar. ② (Rice polishing) We polish the rice to remove impurities for a clearer taste. ③ (Fermentation harmony) In sake making, sugar turns into alcohol at the same time. This parallel fermentation is very unique in the world. I gave a brief explanation of the yabusame (horseback archery) at Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. I feel I want to work harder so I can give a more in-depth explanation of Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. Next, after the shrine, our next destination was the Suzuki Morihisa Studio. Unfortunately, the shop was closed. Here, in 1974 the 14th-generation Suzuki Morihisa was designated as an Intangible Cultural Property. It has 400 years of history. Next we visited the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building, but this too was closed and we could not go inside. "The Iwate Bank Red Brick Building is the former Iwate Bank head office built in 1911, designed by Kingo Tatsuno, who also designed Tokyo Station." And right next to it there is a rose garden, and in summer colorful, beautiful roses soothe us. Then we headed to the Morioka History and Culture Museum. Once again it was closed. However, at the entrance, well-tended violets comforted us. There was a signboard at the violet flower bed that read "~ Rotary Club," and one of the guests spoke to me, saying, "We met at a Rotary Club in North America." What is strange is that the signboard had no English at all and was written only in Japanese, so how did they know it was a Rotary Club? Here too, I took a photo of the guests. That morning, after arriving at JR Morioka Station, I had stopped by the tourist information office and confirmed the closing times of the Suzuki Morihisa Studio, the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building, and the Morioka History and Culture Museum, but they had not said a single word about them being closed. Even though two staff members had said the Morioka History and Culture Museum closes at 19:00…… I felt very frustrated. I think the guests probably felt the same way. What should I check, and where? Regaining my composure, we entered Morioka Castle Ruins Park. There were two large plane trees. There's a song that goes "♬ This tree, what tree, the tree that catches your attention, a tree you've never seen before ♬," and every time I come to this park that song plays in my head. Plane trees are apparently called "plane tree." Leaving the "plane trees" behind, we headed toward where the former castle keep once stood. Just as we started up a slightly steep slope, one of the guests began to feel a little unwell, and after discussing it, one of them returned to the hotel first alone. The other continued the walk around the park. After it became just the two of us, I was told that the guest who returned was undergoing chemotherapy and sometimes feels unwell. Since a member of my own family has also had a similar experience, I told the guest that it's important not to overdo it. After Iwate Park, we prayed at Sakurayama Shrine. Here, I explained the origin of the Eboshi-iwa rock in the precincts and the mukai-zuru (facing cranes), which is the symbol of the Nanbu clan. I think the guest was understandably becoming worried about the other guest. Leaving Sakurayama Shrine, we walked back to the hotel in front of the station, and the tour came to an end. Since the guest was worried, we ended the tour a little early.

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Tour Report by Toshi

Hello and welcome! If you’re an inbound guest, I’d like to extend a warm greeting to you. I hope you have a pleasant stay in our beautiful city. If there’s anything you need, feel free to ask – I’m here to assist! My name’s Toshiya Ozawa. Please call me Toshi. I have 25 years’ experience as National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter guiding in English. Presently, I live in Ohsyu-shi, Iwate-ken where the Major Baseball player Shohei Ohtani was born and bred. The followings are the places where I attended as a tour guide for your reference. [Guide experience] Nara’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Japan’s largest lake Lake biwa and Azuchi-jyo Ruins in Shiga prefecture. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara:Horyu-ji, Nara Park, Todaiji Temple. Former Site of the Imperial Palace at Heijokyo, Todaiji Temple, along with Kasugataisha Shrine and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. Koyasan (Shukubo Rengejo-in) shukubo literally means sleeping with the monks. Yagyu-no-sato (or the swordsman village of Yagyu), known as the home of Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu (traditional style of swordsmanship), is located in Northeast of Nara-city with rich natural environment. In Kyoto: JR Kyoto Station, The Golden Pavilion, World Heritage Site Former Imperial Villa Nijo-jo Castle, Ryoan-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple. In Mie Prefecture: Ise Shrine, Wadakin (Japan’s one of the best wagyu-beef restaurant, Matsusaka-shi). In Shiga prefecture: Mother Lake Lake Biwa, Azuchi Castle ruins.
In Tokyo: Meiji shrine, Odaiba, Imperial Palace, Takeshita Street in Harajyuku, Akihabara (the otaku mecca and has its own unique atmosphere), Asakusa Kannon (Bodhisattva of Mercy) Sensoji Temple, and Tokyo Tower.
In Shizuoka Prefecture: Mt. Fuji.
In Aichi prefecture: 1. Atsuta Shrine 2. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 3. Inuyama Castle (Inuyama-shi) 4. Ohsu Shopping District 5. Konomiya Naked Festival (Inazawa-shi) 6.Tagata Jinja Shrine’s Honen Festival 7. Toyota Automobile Museum (Nagakute-shi) 8. Thousand Rice Paddies of Yotsuya (Yotsuya Senmaida) (Shinshiro-shi) 9. Asuke/Korankei (Toyota-shi Asuke-cho) 10. Chubu Centrair International Airport 11. Rest Stop (Highway Oasis Kariya, Donguri-no-sato Inabu)

10 years’ experience in a trading operations position and 7 years’ experience as an Exporting Manager and 5 years’ experience as a Domestic Sales Representative: All of the experiences above included contacts with respective customers both externally and internally.
I spent more than 2 years in the United States and Canada. Attended Kibbutz Hebrew class for six months in Israel.

Aug1991– present MASPRO DENKOH Corporation, Aichi prefecture in Japan.
Sales presentative/Exporting Manager “Export of TV reception and related equipment to Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand”
Negotiated prices and specifications with the makers “Drafting and arranging the needed documentations requested by custom houses”
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supply of CS antennas to SONY Corporation
OEM supply of U.S. DirecTV Satellite Dish Antenna Dual LNB to Sony Corporation
Attended the customers from overseas when they came to the head office
Interpreter, translator to the C.E.O. (engaged in direct report to the company president)
Import of invaluable western style paintings, Japanese potteries and porcelains
Export of receiver and transmitter for Qualcomm Omni TRACS Ku-band satellite fleet tracking system in the U.S.
Export of CATV Tap-off for Time Warner Cable in the U.S. OEM supply of ETC In-Vehicle Unit in Singapore to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Apr. 1989–March 1991, employed by ESPO Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. Manager of secretarial section to the C.E.O
Interpreter, translator to the C.E.O “Assisted M&A transactions”
Formula 1 ESPO-LARROUSSE Team negotiation and interpreter. Was in charge of training new staff (26 university graduates )
Supervised new graduate recruitment activities as a part of training new staff and successfully recruited 40 prospective employees
Apr 1976 – March 1991 Nissait English School in Tokyo, Japan
1989 Director of Nissait English School “Management of English schools in Tokyo and Saitama prefecture”
Instructor: Taught English conversation more than 1000 students “Was in charge of training new instructors (12 vocational college graduates )”
Supervised new student recruitment activities as a part of training new instructors and successfully recruited 420 students at ten different schools for 5 years
Was in charge of International Exchange program
Chaperoned and supervised 160 Japanese youth delegates for cultural immersion homestays in the U.S.A. and Canada.
Education: In 1976, Completed the curriculum at a university, received a degree of B.A. in Economics, Aoyama Gakuin University, in Tokyo.

Windows MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Certified as a National Licensed English-Speaking Tour Guide in 2009 (License No. Aichi EN00307)
Passed Grade 1 of the EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency in 1989.

Can You Do a Private Tokyo Tour Before a Cruise from Yokohama? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. This tour was a Tokyo sightseeing trip making use of the time just before boarding a Japan sightseeing cruise ship departing from Yokohama. They traveled from a hotel in Yokohama to Tokyo by taxi, and we met under the Japanese national flag on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station. First, I introduced Tokyo Station. Then, while discussing where to end the tour, we decided that returning to Yokohama by Shinkansen would be smooth and would also let the guests experience the bullet train, so we purchased tickets to Shin-Yokohama and I introduced the entrance on the Yaesu side. We then walked to Nihombashi Station and took the Tozai Line to Takebashi Station. This first subway experience was somewhat surprising for some of the guests, who normally travel only by car in daily life. Going down the stairs also posed a physical burden, along with some psychological strain, so from that point on we decided not to use public transportation and to travel by taxi as much as possible to reduce the walking distance. First, we entered the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, which had been a top point of interest, through the Hirakawamon Gate. The guests strolled leisurely through the Ninomaru Garden, and they seemed especially captivated by the beauty of the long-tailed nishikigoi. To keep the walking as flat as possible, I only explained the site of the former castle keep and, without climbing the slope, we headed toward the Hyakunin Bansho, the Doshin Bansho, and the Otemon Gate. At a shop just before it, the guests purchased chopsticks bearing the imperial crest, and they also stamped a commemorative seal on the East Gardens leaflet to keep as a souvenir. Considering how the walking had gone up to that point, I had judged that visiting Meiji Shrine and the National Museum would be difficult, and the guests themselves requested that we remove the National Museum from the plan. Since one of the guests had many dietary considerations, we decided to move to the Shin-Marunouchi Building, which offered many options within a flat walking distance, to have lunch. I showed them the entire restaurant floor, and the guests chose Franz Club, a German restaurant, since they wanted Western-style food. It was fortunate that we could be seated without waiting. They ordered items such as Milanese-style cutlet and pretzels, and one of the guests ordered a beer, and they were very satisfied. They emphasized how clean Japanese towns are and asked what lay behind this, so I talked about the Japanese education system in which students themselves clean their classrooms after class, as well as home education and environmental education. Within that conversation there were also questions about values such as frugality and thrift, and the topic developed into Bushido. The conversation grew lively, and after lunch there was no time left to visit Meiji Shrine, and we also needed to make sure not to miss the already-issued 4:12 Shinkansen departing from Tokyo Station. So, we viewed places easily accessible by taxi, such as Tokyo Tower and the Niten-mon Gate of the Yushoin Mausoleum at Zojoji Temple, from the taxi window, and arrived at the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station shortly after 3:30. On Character Street, some of the guests purchased souvenirs for their grandchildren. Finally, I saw them off on the platform to make sure they could board their reserved Nozomi train, and we parted ways.

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Tour Report by Noripy

Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

Title: What's a Private One-Day Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle and Shitennoji Body: [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day tour of Osaka for guests visiting Japan for the first time from North America. The guests were cheerful and friendly, and although they had only arrived in Japan the day before and were a little tired, they were able to climb all the way up to the main tower of Osaka Castle. They did not seem to know much about Japanese history, so it was challenging to explain things from the very beginning, but they were pleased to gain even a little understanding of the background leading to the present-day Osaka Castle, as well as the historic Shitennoji Temple and Buddhism. In the afternoon, I guided them to places such as Kuromon Market, Dotonbori, and the sky tower, which they planned to visit on their own, and the tour concluded.

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Tour Report by YOSHI

Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Shizuoka City from the Port? A Licensed Guide's Report Despite the unfortunate rain, [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) started the tour from the port and first headed to Miho no Matsubara. Although Mount Fuji could not be seen, the guests went inside the Mihoshirube facility to watch the video, bought some souvenirs, and walked out to the beach. After that, I took the guests to a 100-yen shop, where they happily bought many chopsticks, stickers, and other items as gifts for family and friends. On the way, we also stopped by "Suehiro" across the street. It was interesting to be able to listen to the English explanation given by a volunteer. From there we headed to Sunpu Park, and the Momijiyama Garden in the rainy weather also had a lovely atmosphere. We went all the way around to the statue of Ieyasu and the excavation site, and since everyone was getting hungry, we stopped at Kura Sushi. Since conveyor-belt sushi can be enjoyed by both those who like raw fish and those who do not, it was surprisingly well received. We returned toward the port area, bought more souvenirs at Dream Plaza, and said our goodbyes at the port.

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Tour Report by Acchan

I have been teaching high school students for 40 years as an English teacher and guiding for 10years including a volunteer guide .Now I am a national government licensed guide. I have been dreaming to introduce Japanese culture including tasty Japanese food and history , our society and also some problems in it. It is a great moment of joy and excitement to be with you from all over the world. I love traveling around Japan and abroad myself. I visited East Germany ,too that does not exist any more. I am looking forward to guiding you in and around Shizuoka!

What's a Private Full-Day Tokyo History Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine The guests were a young group visiting from North America. For one of them, this was their first trip abroad, and they had studied a good deal of Japanese, occasionally trying it out during the tour. They had requested in advance that they wanted to visit "Edo Castle," so I first took them to the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens. As we walked, I explained the history of Edo Castle and its transformation into a public space after the Meiji Restoration, and they were surprised by how grand the scale was compared to what they had imagined. Since they seemed to be interested in Japanese history, I also explained the relationship and background between the imperial family and the shoguns, and they were pleased to say that they were beginning to get a general picture of Japanese history as a whole. After Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple, we headed toward the shrine, and I explained the differences between Buddhism and Shinto while looking at the actual sites. They seemed especially interested in Shinto, and they prayed earnestly at Meiji Shrine as well. After this, they said they wanted to stay in Tokyo for an extended period and see every corner of the city, so I introduced places they should visit and concluded the tour.

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Tour Report by Atsushi

Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

What Is a 4-Hour Private Tour of Hiraizumi Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a family from Europe. Since they had come to Hiraizumi without seeing Kyoto or Nara, they found the temples and shrines and their features quite novel. Covering both Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji in Hiraizumi in four hours turned out to be a fairly relaxed tour. Normally we would stop somewhere for lunch, but the guests felt it would be a waste of time, so they limited themselves to eating snacks while walking. The "Spring Fujiwara Festival" was set to begin the next day (May 1), and perhaps because it was the day before, neither temple's grounds were particularly crowded. We used a taxi to travel from Motsu-ji to Chuson-ji, and then from Chuson-ji to Hiraizumi Station. After the tour ended, since they had come all the way to Iwate, the guests said they wanted to see Genbikei Gorge in Ichinoseki City. As traveling by chartered taxi was convenient and reasonably priced, I arranged a taxi.

Click here for more details: Hiraizumi Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Tour Report by KOH

Hello. My name is Kohmin Iwabuchi, but please call me KOH for short. I have been working as a tour guide for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited hundreds of scenic spots, but there is one place I will not go. Guess what is it? That’s the top of Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. I can climb the mountain, but it’s hard for me to guide people while climbing.

I am interested in traditional sports in Japan, particularly sumo wrestling. Sumo is time honored sports. We can trace its origin back to some thousand years ago. First it was played as an entertainment in a Shinto shrine. The rule of sumo is simple. The match is played by two participants in a ring. If any parts of the body of one of the participants except the sole touches the ground or he was pushed out of the ring, he will be defeated.

The appearance of sumo wrestlers is very traditional, because their samurai like hairstyle “chonmage” originates from feudal ages.

Unlike boxing and wrestling, there are no weight restrictions or classes, meaning that your opponent can be many times your own size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training. Personally my weight is about 200 pounds which enables me to be a sumo wrestler.

Sumo wrestlers live in a sumo stable. It’s the place where they eat, drink, train and sleep together. In greater Tokyo area, there are about 40 sumo stables, many of which are located in Ryogoku area. A small number of stables welcome people to come and see the morning practice. I hope some day I can visit there with you.