Okayama Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

Title: What Is a Private Okayama Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Korakuen and Okayama Castle

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Even after some days had passed since arriving in the middle of Japan's winter from the height of summer in Oceania, managing their health seemed to be a challenge. They mentioned that temperatures in their home region can reach 40 degrees, so it gets as hot as Japan, but because the humidity is low, there is far less risk of heat stroke than in Japan. This group has traveled all over the world and has a particularly deep connection with Asia, having recently visited Vietnam, Cambodia, and even Laos. One of the guests had previously stayed in Yangon, Myanmar for about a year teaching English. In addition, they had studied Japanese as a second foreign language during their elementary school years and kindly demonstrated some of it for us. It felt very positive to see travelers with such a broad and open outlook, and it is encouraging that more people like this are visiting.

This tour began at Korakuen Garden. At the crane enclosure that I introduced first, several red-crowned cranes seemed to be waiting for us, and as we arrived they looked up to the sky and called out. This does not happen very often, and it felt like a moment of connection with the animals, which delighted everyone. We then took our time exploring the garden. The plum blossoms were in full bloom, and the somewhat rare wintersweet in the garden was giving off a lovely fragrance. I always make a point of introducing flowers characteristic of Japan such as plum, daphne, cherry, and fragrant olive according to each season. In addition, the lawn burning had been carried out just a week earlier, and even the scent of the scorched grass remained. I was also able to explain the straw wrapping on the pine trunks that would soon be removed and burned. It was very meaningful to be able to appreciate these seasonal traditions. As we strolled through the garden, a local volunteer guide approached us and offered some additional explanations.

After leaving Korakuen, we headed to Okayama Castle. The guests carefully walked through the historical accounts of the Ukita, Kobayakawa, and Ikeda families, who survived the turbulent Warring States period and the Edo period. Afterward, I guided them to a reasonably priced tofu restaurant called "Okabe" in Okayama. They thoroughly enjoyed the food itself, but due to the waiting time, I came to think that in the future, when time is limited, it would be better to choose another place, specifically one of the restaurants inside Okayama Station. And so, although it was hard to say goodbye at the end, I was able to see them off safely at Okayama Station.

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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.