Shinjuku, Harajuku & Shibuya walking tour!
2017/2/16 Thu.
My first guest came from Malaysia!
Their arrival to Tokyo was just after their wonderful wedding anniversary celebration on board a flight on Vietnam Airlines! Valentine's Day was Dad & Mom's 30th wedding anniversary. Dad had prepared for a BIG surprise event on their flight for Mom. On our meeting, they shared their wonderful and heartwarming & nice memory with me.
I was so excited to hear that and was motivated to give them another good memory in Japan!
And for their son, this trip is also in celebration for his graduation from university and getting a new job. He loves taking pictures and eats well.
Their daughter is a 2nd year university student. She is very cute and try using Japanese words aggressively.
This was my first experience as a good-will guide. To tell the truth I was little bit nervous at first. But anyway I knew they are very good family and would like to do my best for them, again!
After greeting each other we walked to Shinjuku Gyoen.
At that time, Dad said to me “Don’t worry, be relaxed. You can spend your time as if you are on holiday with us.” I was so glad to hear that and that encouraged me so much. I could feel easy.
We arrived at Shinjuku Gyoen. At the entrance, their dependable son bought tickets for us. At first, I wondered if they could really enjoy garden in winter. Flowers were still asleep, grass or trees were brown… I thought it might be boring. But Dad said he wanted to show his family winter. It just hit me. They were from tropical country. They were interested in winter garden. That was interesting for me.
Even so, they were pleased to see plum trees with full bloom. From a distance, they looked like cherry blossoms but I knew cherry blossoms were not ready. Anyway plum trees were in good season and so beautiful. I was relieved that they could also enjoy winter garden with flowers. Bridges over the pond or stone lanterns show typical traditional Japanese garden. The weather of the day was so clear, fine and comfortable one. We found carps or dabbling ducks. The garden view with plum and pine trees around the pond might be good for them to take pics.
During that time, we began to know each other and they gave me some gifts from their home and their pretty daughter mastered some Japanese words! At the exit gate, I really got relaxed and started enjoying the day.
Next destination was Tokyo Metropolitan Government Head office.
I would like to take more pics of them. But unfortunately, I could only get a few. This was a golden opportunity but to my regret, I missed the top of the building.
Most of other pics are they sent for me after going back home. Thanks a lot!
Anyway, we went up to an observation deck. The day was fine but the sky was not so clear. We could enjoy panoramic view of Tokyo.
To my regret we couldn’t see Mt. Fuji. But I was happy to hear that they had seen Mt. Fuji from above the airplane on their way to Japan. That must have been so impressive.
There was a souvenirs booth selling various kinds of souvenirs from all over Japan. Mom was eagerly checking all the souvenirs. She seemed especially fond of green tea leaf and Miso. She shopped around but she seemed to decide to buy at a grocery supermarket later. I also agreed with her decision.
Lunch time was coming.
Our choice was a sushi-go-round restaurant which their son had wanted to try.
I heard they had some sushi experience in their country.
They seemed enjoy difference between theirs and ours.
And they seemed to like especially Anago.
We ate a lot of Sushi and went next!
We went to Harajuku by Yamanote-Line.
At first, we visited Meiji-jingu.
For me, visiting shrine and praying is a part of culture.
It is just the same as other tourist spots for me.
Beautiful and splendid forests, ancient and honorable architecture.
And the sacredness is just a knowledge.
The point is they are Christians.
I felt they were with their own holy concept through their way of touring.
While I showed them around I felt I had something important to tell them but until last I couldn’t find what that was.
Even now I’m not sure what I should tell.
I need to think more about religion.
There I prayed for their safety and getting happy experiences during their stay.
Fortunately a couple had a wedding ceremony and we could see a happy pair dressed in Japanese formal attires.
That was beautiful and ceremonious.
After we walked around Takeshita-Street and Omotesandou-Street.
We ate Tako-Yaki, went to Pablo’s shop getting many kinds of cakes.
They bought cakes for me and my husband! Thank you so much!
Then boys enjoyed other eating, girls enjoyed shopping at 100-yen-Shop.
And I really hope they enjoyed their trip with a lot of good memories and would love to come back to Japan someday!
Final destination was Shibuya.
We took the subway and got to Shibuya.
To my regret my time was up there. The day, I couldn’t get my work off. After I took them to TOKYU HANDS I had to go.
This is my first tour.
I felt little bit nervous in a good day.
But after all I enjoyed so much with them.
I also found I have to study more and more about Japan and improve my English.
And I felt I really wanted to be a tour guide!
I had really good experience.
By the next tour, I would like to learn more about Japan and improve my English and will make my tour more excited!
Wi-Fi environment in Japan
Japan Connected-free
Wi-Fi environment in Japan seems to be better little by little.
There are many free Wi-Fi service, though each service may have its own complicated registration process.
I found an app to solve this situations.
"Japan Connected-free"
http://www.ntt-bp.net/jcfw/en.html
When you use this app, you don’t need to register on each service.
But only an easy registration for the app.
To my regret, it’s little bit more complicated to use on iOS than to use on Android OS.
I hope your phone is for Android OS.
Wi-Fi rental service
But to our regret, it’s not enough for foreign people to be comfortable.
So many foreigner seem to use pocket Wi-Fi rental service recently.
I’m sorry I have never used this service.
So I have no idea if it’s good for you or not.
But this seems to be top status and reputation is good.
So for your information I’m sharing this.
http://en.wifi-rental-store.jp/
My first guest!
I got my first guest family from Malaysia through Japan Tour Guide.
I'm so excited.
It will be first visit Japan for them.
I have an important role.
I'll do my best for them to enjoy their stay in Japan.
Today I talked with the father with Skype call.
It was the longest English phone call and conversation for me ever.
At first I became little bit nervous but he spoke very carefully for me and I could be relaxed and talked about their family a lot.
Surprisingly, their trip will be very important one.
For their son, in memory of his graduation from university and getting new job.
And the father & mother, in memory of their 30th wedding anniversary!
I became much more motivated to hear that.
I had about 1 hour English conversation.
That was beyond my capacity but very useful.
I could talk with him face to face.
I could knew they must be good family and looking forward to visiting Japan.
I'm sure I managed to make communication with them & will be able to show them around.
I would like to be good guide for them!
Now, I have to do many things for them.
Including searching better spots, knowing more about their interests, reliable Wi-Fi information, or so on.
I have only less than one month!
Let's go to Kyoto.
I have wanted to watch GEAR for a long time.
A kind of non verbal performance first created in Japan.
Few days ago, my husband & I suddenly became to want to go on a trip somewhere around. We decided to go on 4 days trip to Kyoto.
We could keep our flight, accommodations, rent-a-car and also GEAR tickets!
Now I have to plan our itinerary.
I'm starting.
My name is Kazumi living in Kawasaki city in Kanagawa prefecture in Japan.
I'm registered as a Goodwill Guide of Japan National Tourism Organization.
I will arrange your travel & guide around during your stay in Japan.
I would like to be your good travel partner and make your trip memorable.
Now I'm studying to be a licensed tour guide for foreign tourists.
If you make me your travel guide, the experience would help me to be a professional guide.
So please support me and make your trip enjoyable!
Feel free to contact me!
