Niigata: Shibata Castle Ruins Park & Return to port — Guide Kayoko

What Is a Private Cruise Excursion Tour from Niigata Port Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America traveling on a cruise excursion. One of them mainly spoke Spanish, but with support from the group, we were able to communicate in English with almost no problems.

In fact, until two days after the cruise ship departed from Tokyo, there had been no direct contact from the travelers themselves, so I was quite worried about whether the guests would be satisfied with the course I had proposed. I had received messages from the travel agency, and Kobayashi at [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) continued to support me throughout, so I was praying and trusting that we would surely be able to meet at Niigata Port. The day before, I visited the private taxi company to discuss the course, and they gave me many alternative plans in case the guests were not interested in the course I proposed, so I was well prepared for any surprises on the day. When the guests disembarked fifteen minutes later than the appointed time, I felt truly relieved.

The guests were very warm toward each other and enjoyed the tour while looking after one another. They were delighted with everything — the cherry blossoms at Shibata Castle, the garden at Shimizuen, the sake barrel-breaking experience at Ohmon Sake Brewery, and the rapeseed flower fields at Fukushimagata — so I was truly happy. The taxi driver from Bandai Taxi, Mr. Itabashi, was also extremely cooperative and helped us at every turn.

This was actually my first time doing a tour with a dedicated vehicle. Since there was almost no need to manage the itinerary around catching public transportation, I was able to keep an eye on whether the guests were enjoying themselves and focus more on conversation and providing information.

As a request, first of all, since there is no public transportation at all at Niigata Port, if there is a booking for a private tour at Niigata Port, I think it would be good to propose a dedicated vehicle in advance.

Also, and this is entirely my own personal request, this time I took on this job while based in Tokyo, and the transportation cost was ¥20,040 round trip plus about ¥5,000 for a business hotel. Thanks to having lived in Yamagata Prefecture last year, I was allowed to join the Niigata group, but now that I have returned to Tokyo, I do not have a family home there, and this time I traveled round trip specifically for this tour. Niigata City is accessible within two hours from Tokyo, and I feel that if I take on such work repeatedly, I could propose even better tours to guests in cooperation with the private taxi company. I would love to become a regular for work in Niigata, and at the same time, I would be grateful if some transportation cost support could be provided. In regional cities there are few guides, and there may be many cases where requested tours are being declined. There was also a shortage of guides in Yamagata Prefecture. I think this is very unfortunate. From the guests' perspective, simply knowing that "a guide has been found!" would put them at ease, give them peace of mind, and overall likely leave them with a better impression of Japan. In this sense too, I would be grateful if you could give some thought to transportation cost support for guides.

I apologize for writing something so presumptuous.

Click here for more details: Niigata Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by KAYOKO

Hello. I’m Kayoko. I’m registered as a National Licensed Guide Interpreter by Tokyo Metropolitan City Government.
I had been living in Yamagata City, 400 kilometers north up to Tokyo for 1 and 3 months, and now just have come back to Tokyo. I really enjoyed living in Yamagata.
My hobby is horse riding and playing some musical instruments such as piano, clarinet, euphonium and tuba.
Thanks to my riding experience, I had a special opportunity to do volunteer works at 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in the equestrian venue in Tokyo.
I am also a certified kimono instructor and can help you dress in the traditional Japanese kimono.
I’m really looking forward to meeting you.