Welcome to Japan!
My name is Yae Matsumoto. Please call me Yaya.
I think that you come to Japan with many hopes and expectations.
You are probably excited about where to go, what to do, what to see, and what to eat.
There are many places to visit in Japan, including castles, temples, shrines, and gardens.
Walking near your hotel is also fun.
I hope that you will explore Japan in a fun and memorable way.
I would like to help you enjoy a seasonal Japan that you will find inspiring and enjoyable.
Japan has four distinct seasons.
The scenery changes with the seasons.
In spring, many people go on a picnic, viewing cherry blossoms under a cherry tree in full bloom.
When the wind blows, cherry petals fall like snow, covering the surface of the river like a pink carpet.
In summer, the sound of cicadas echoes from the trees, hidden by the leaves.
Summer festivals are filled with the sounds of taiko drums and bamboo flutes.
In autumn, bright yellow ginkgo leaves and bright red maple leaves delight the eye.
In winter, snow-covered trees are impressive.
The New Year decorations placed in front of houses add a festive mood to the town.
There are also many traditions and cultures in Japan.
Among them, I would like to talk about the tea ceremony, which I have been learning for years.
One of the tea gatherings that keep in my mind is the first tea ceremony I attended in the New Year.
When we settled down, the host of the gathering greeted us by saying, “Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”
The main guest expressed gratitude for inviting us to this gathering.
The ceremony then proceeded smoothly, while the host explained the hanging scroll, flowers in season, sweets, and tea utensils she had chosen.
I just listened earnestly to her explanation.
Because I love to hear the stories and history behind them.
The story and history helped me to better understand the tea gathering.
At the end of the ceremony, the host said, ” Your sincere attitude made this gathering special.”
One of the important concepts of the tea ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter in English.
It means that the gathering of the day will never happen in the same way.
The host welcomes the guests with great care and tries to make the gathering wonderful.
It is time-consuming and challenging.
The guests, for their part, appreciate every attention of the host.
In this way, everyone who participates in the gathering does their best to cherish each moment.
I believe this concept applies to all human relationships.
I’d like to help you cherish every moment of your time in Japan.
I have guided visitors to many sightseeing spots in the Nagoya area (Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine, Tokugawa Art Museum, Tokugawen Garden, Kosho-ji Temple, Shiratori Garden, etc.). I also have experience as an interpreter at tea ceremonies, Zen meditation experiences, and meetings.
I’d like to expand my activities in the future.
I hope to introduce you to various places, Japanese cultures and traditions while appreciating the seasonal scenery of Japan.