Walking Tour · 26. August 2018
A happy couple from Italy explored in Tokyo. First of all, we visited the Meiji-Jingu shrine in Harajuku. Do you know ”Ema”? It's a small wood plate. We write down our wish on it and devote it in the shrine. The Italian couple wished their families happiness. It's great!
Walking Tour · 07. July 2018
I have explored Tokyo with a nice Mexican family. In the morning, we met in the hotel lobby. Beautiful sunflowers were displayed there. Summer has come to Tokyo. First, we walked in the Imperial Palace outer garden and east garden. The Imperial Palace is the former Edo castle built by Shogun samurai warriors 400years ago.
Walking Tour · 04. March 2018
I had a Tokyo tour with a nice Chinese American guy and his parents. First, we went to Harajuku Takeshita street. The daddy told he feel the young energy there. Yes, Harajuku is very popular among young people.
Hidden Tokyo · 11. February 2018
The lucky cat doll is a Japanese traditional charm. It's known especially for the commercial success, but not limited to it. You will find cat dolls at many shops or restaurants. Some people say that Gotokuji temple in Tokyo is the origin of the cat doll. There are a lot of lucky cat dolls in the temple. Those are donated by who visit the temple. Would you like to donate your cat in order to make your wish true? Or would you like to bring it with you as your own lucky charm? You can purchase...
Hidden Tokyo · 11. February 2018
Plum blossoms are pretty, and there is something that leads to the traditional Japanese beauty "Wabi and Sabi". That's why many Japanese love plum blossoms. Plum Blossom Festival in Setagaya is going on in the Hanegi Park. There are more than 600 plum trees. You can stroll and enjoy the plum blossoms in the park. They offer food stalls, green tea ceremony, Haiku poem, stage performance, and so on. It is a local festival. It's a good opportunity to understand the usual Japanese people. It takes...
Walking Tour · 08. January 2018
Jan 8th is the Coming of Age Day (成人の日) in Japan. Young people who are 20-years old are celebrated. I had a Tokyo one-day tour with nice guests from the USA. First, we visited the Imperial Palace East Garden. Many overseas tourists are interested in Japanese history and wish the Imperial Palace tour. The palace is the former Edo castle of Samurai warriors. It's related to both of the Emperor and Shogun in the history. Next, we went to a hotel where the Coming of Age ceremony was held....
Recommended · 06. January 2018
I had a group tour in the Imperial Palace East Garden as a member of a volunteer tour guide team. The organization is the Tokyo Free Walking Tour (TFWT). A free tour for tourists is held every Saturday in English. Booking is not required. Please visit the following URL. https://tfwt.jp/top/east-gardens-of-the-imperial-palace/ You will learn much about Japanese history and tradition. It's fun and cool!
Walking Tour · 23. December 2017
December 23 was the birthday of His Majesty Emperor Akihito. I and two nice guys from Belgium who are interested in the history of Japan visited the Imperial Palace to celebrate. It was one of the special days we can visit the west area of the imperial palace where the main palace building is located. When we arrived in front of the palace, the Emperor and Imperial family members appeared on the balcony. The Emperor made a brief speech. Then, we walked to the Imperial Palace East Garden. The...
Walking Tour · 05. November 2017
I explored Harajuku, Shibuya, and Asakusa with nice guests from Australia. We met at their hotel in Shinjuku in the morning. First, we hung around Harajuku and ate a crepe. Harajuku is a fashionable district in Tokyo. Then, we walked to Shibuya. In the Yoyogi park, the "Furusato Shibuya Festival" was held on the day. The event was not for religion but for the local community. Many local residents in Shibuya ward came to the park. There were many food stalls and stores. Some of the local...
Recommended · 08. October 2017
Ukiyo-e is a kind of Japanese woodblock print arts. It was popular around 18-19 centuries. It is known that many western impressionists such as Van Gogh were inspired by Ukiyo-e. There is a Ukiyo-e museum "OTA MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF ART" in Harajuku. They are holding special session of Hokusai who is known for his series of works "The 36 pictures with Mt. Fuji" Last weekend, I visited the museum. I enjoyed the all of Hokusai's Mt.Fuji arts. Moreover, I have learned the technique of the Ukiyo-e...