This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • Rental Kimono Shop 1000→1020 Kanazawa Station Tsuzumi Gate 1030→1100 Kenrokuen Garden・Kanazawa Castle Park 1200→1210 Higashi Chaya District 1300→1315 Omicho Market 1345→1400 Rental Kimono Shop

Can You Do a Private Kimono Photo Tour of Kanazawa? A Licensed Guide's Report

This was a first-time visit to Japan for the group from North America. In accordance with their wishes, we met at the rental kimono shop they had specified, and I took them to a carefully selected set of photogenic spots scattered throughout Kanazawa City. Using a one-day bus pass, we were able to get around efficiently, and at the end I brought them back to the kimono shop in time for their afternoon departure to Kyoto. In addition to taking photos, the group fully enjoyed shopping at a specialty Kutani ware store and tasting gold-leaf ice cream.

Since I completely retired from my position at a railway company and started being involved in the tour guide interpreter business, I have experienced almost all types of guiding through FIT, Long Group Tours, Cruises (Shore Excursions), Incentive Tours, Special Interest Tours (Railway Travel, Pilgrimages), Familiarization Tours (Sales Promotion Tours) etc.
However, I noticed that I am not fully satisfied to only be a general guide who just manages a tour itinerary provided by tour agents/clients.
High-end guests have sometimes requested me to answer some enquiries that are actually challenging to answer for Japanese nationals. However, I appreciated those because they provided such a challenge and I felt that they wanted to understand my sense of beauty/values as a guide concerning a new culture for them.
Every time I host my guest I do my best to prepare the most appropriate information based on three travel elements (appetite, logistics, accommodation). Nevertheless, I decided to aim for higher guiding skills after I was motivated by senior guides whose guiding strategies and gestures were particularly impressive.

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