2018-02

East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

TOUR REPORT ON 24 FEBRUARY 2018, THE EAST GARDEN OF THE IMPERIAL PALACE

We thank all guests who joined our East Garden of Imperial Palace tour on Feb. 24th.We welcomed 28 guests from Australia, Canada, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, UK, and USA. We divided them into 5 groups. It was a sunny and pretty warmer day than the past few days. And you must have enjoyed the plum trees blooming in the garden. As Japanese, we feel a change of seasons from these signs. Speaking of a change of seasons, we can also feel it from the seasonal event. And one of the typical event...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Tour Report on 22 February 2018, Week Day Tour to the East Garden of the Imperial Palace

On a very cold and slightly raining Thursday morning, we welcomed 3 guests from Australia and U.K. It was so cold that some of us were sizzling while walking on the route. We divided into 2 groups. However, in the garden, we could view sign of spring’s coming. The Ume (Plum or Apricot trees) are blooming. Actually, they are known as flowers of winter but they bloom when spring is near. The colors of petals were shining under cloudy sky. The smell of the flowers were so strong that you feel weari...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

TOUR REPORT ON FEBURARY 18, 2018 AT MEIJI SHRINE AND HARAJUKU

Tokyo Free Walking Tour welcomed eight guests for our regular Meiji Shrine and Harajuku route tour on February 18. Big thank YOU to all the guests who were from Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Slovakia, Netherland and England. We hope all enjoyed not only the tour itself but chat with other guests and us. It was a lovely sunny day with shining blue sky, though it was still bit cold. Luckily, we encountered wedding parties at the main shrine area. One party was proceeding to main hall for ceremon...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Tour Report on 17 February 2018, The East Garden of the Imperial Palace

Thank you very much for joining our tour on Feb 17th. We welcomed 23 guests from Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Turkey, UK and US. Plum trees in the East Garden of Imperial Palace bloom! The combination of pink and white color is so beautiful. I guess beautiful Japanese spring season is around the corner, on the other hand….during the tour, it was raining unexpectedly. It might have been sleety rain according to the weather forecast. And also, ...
Asakusa

TOUR REPORT ON FEBRUARY 11, 2018 IN ASAKUSA

On the day of Feb 11, with low temperature and clear sunny sky, we welcomed ar­ound six guests from different regions, Australia, Austria, Germany and Philippines. After splitting these enthusiastic visitors into three, each group was assigned with a few guides who also loves this historical town and are honored to guide them. Starting with intr­oducing ourselves and giving our brief orientation about this tour, we went to Asakusa Information Center in order to see better views of the Asakusa ar...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Tour Report on 10 February 2018, The East Garden of the Imperial Palace

We thank many guests joining this tour. On that day, we welcomed 29 guests from Australia, Argentina, Brazil, U.K., Philippines, USA, France, Germany, South Korea and Slovenia. We divided into 4 groups. We are in the midst of winter season. In our neighboring country, South Korea, Winter Olympics are held. For last two weeks Tokyo had a few heavy snowing days. Some remaining of snow was seen in the garden. Up north are blizzards. Japan is a big snow country. There are many snow resorts in northe...
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

Tour Report on February 4, 2018 at Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

Thank you very much for joining our regular tour on February 4. We welcomed guests from Taiwan and the US. We hope all enjoyed walking with us. Anyways, did anyone eat "Eho-maki", the thick sushi rolls on February 3rd, the Setsubun day ? You might find them sold at supermarkets or convenience stores at that time. Eho literally means the good luck direction, and Eho-maki is believed to bring good fortune if eaten while facing the year's eho. While you eat Eho-maki, you must be silent, look in the...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Tour Report of Feb.3, 2018 (THE EAST GARDEN OF THE IMPERIAL PALACE)

Today we welcomed guests from Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, UK, and US. Despite the cold weather outdoors, we were able to join the sun and the nice chill air during the 2 hour walk. Feb.3 is "Setsubun" the day before the beginning of spring. On this day, many homes would have an event called "bean throwing" ceremony which goes back to 1500s. People would throw roasted beans or grains inside and outside their houses, also at family members wearing a demon mask. While throwing the beans...