2018-06

East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

27 JUNE 2018, Weekday Morning tour to The East Garden of the Imperial Palace

Thank you for joining our walking tour to Imperial Palace East Gardens on June 27th. We were so happy to have met all 16 guests from Canada,U.S.A.,Belgium,Georgia,and Australia. The guests were divided into 4 groups with few of our guides in each group. This day was a weekday, so the garden was more peaceful and quiet than on weekends. It was a hot and windy day. But all of us enjoyed the tour. A guest from U.S.A told me that he bought ONIGIRI for snack at a convenience store almost every day. O...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Tour Report on June 23th at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Thank you for joining our Tokyo Free Walking Tour on June 23th. On the day of two tours, we welcomed 35 guests from 8 countries on our morning tour. The weather was recently weird in Japan, with it changing between sunny, cloudy, and rainy weather. Although the weather of this day was cloudy with partly rain, all of us enjoyed talking and walking during the tour. Strolling around the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace is also great for rainy days. A sunny day is absolutely the best time to visi...
Asakusa

Thinking “How one becomes a monk” at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa on 24 June

Many thanks to guests who joined the morning and afternoon tours on that day. On that day we welcomed total of 10 guests from USA, Canada, France, Spain, and Sweden. The two tours were in contrast of weather. In the morning time, it was rainy and cold but in the afternoon it turned sunny and hot. As we explain to our guests, Sensoji Temple is a Buddhist temple, established in 7th century. It was a time Buddhism arrived in Japan from China. Buddhism was originated in India. But as it was passed o...
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

THE SHINTO DEITY GENEROUSLY HOSTED A LOT OF JAPANESE CULTURAL EVENTS. -17 JUNE 2018

Thank you for joining our Tokyo Free Walking Tour. One day during the rainy season in Tokyo, we had a cloudy sky and a ray of sunshine. On that same day, 17th of June, we welcomed 15 guests from, U.S.A., Australia, Argentina Singapore, Italy and Germany in front of Torii, or the Shinto Shrine gate, -the Meiji Shinto Shrine in Harajaku. The weather condition didn't hinder the people to explore and feel the freshness of the mysterious tunnel made by more than 100,000 trees in the Shinto shrine gro...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Welcome to “Nippon” or “Nihon” 16 JUNE 2018 tour report

Many thanks to the guests who joined the regular afternoon tour to the East Garden of the Imperial Palace on that day. We welcomed over 30 people from many countries including U.K. Italy, Croatia, Australia, USA, Spain, Columbia and Israel. We divided into 3 groups. It was a very cloudy day. Since clouds shaded sunlight, the temperature was below 20 centigrade, which was like a early-spring time. That was unusual in this time of a year and good for tourists since Japan's summer, especially rainy...
Asakusa

RAINY SEASON NEVER CHASE AWAY ADMIRES OF ASAKUSA–10TH OF JUNE

Thank you for joining our Tokyo Free Walking Tour. On the day of our two-guided tours, 10th of June, we welcomed 13 guests from, U.S.A. Australia, Canada, and Denmark. A rainy and overcast weather condition prevailed and las­ted the entire day all over Tokyo. The sky was glo­omy and gray, partic­ularly during the da­y, in many parts of Tokyo, and one of the th­ese places was Asakus­a. Overlooking the enti­re Asakusa district from the rooftop of the Asakusa Informat­ion Center, we saw Tokyo Skytr...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Emperor and Empress at Tokyo station

“Early bird catches the worm.” Now I can prove, this is definitely true. On this morning(June 9th), we welcomed guests from Israel, Indonesia, India and USA. We could just share the unforgettable time and encounter with Their Magesties. Thanks to our wonderful 5 guests!! “ Can you see the central entrance of the Tokyo station? This is the entrance for the Imperial family use.” “A street called ‘Gyoko-dori’ is located just in front of the Tokyo station Marunouchi -side. It is the straight and sho...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

No more Sakura, but another beautiful flowers here in Tokyo

Thank you for the guests who kindly joined our afternoon tour on 9th of June. We had 19 guests from six countries, divided into three groups. I do this guide volunteering from several years, and believed I’ve known well the area which has beautiful flower or the best season to see them. However, it was false. I was arrogant. Thanks to one of our guest’s suggestion, I saw a beautiful big Magnolia flower on the tour route for the first time on last Saturday. It boomed beautifully, solemnly, and it...
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

Tour Report on June 3 at Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

I sincerely thank you for taking the time for joining the tour to Meiji Shrine and Harajuku on June 3. We had nine guests from the various countries of Canada,America,Mexico,Columbia,Chile,UK and Philippines. Four of the guests had participated in our tour to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace on the previous day which we appreciate very much. The weather was perfect on this day prior to the rainy season. I hope all of you enjoyed walking with us. As you might have been guided, Harajuku Sta...
East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

On Bushido, or the Samurai Way (June 2nd)

It was a pleasant day just before the start of the rain season. I had just finished sharing the story of the 47 samurais who willingly gave up their livesforthe honor of their master. Aguest from the UK asked aquestion - "When did such ideals of the samurai way come about? Is such mentality still common in the society?" There is a perfect bookon this subject. It isBushido: TheSoul of Japan, originallywritten in English in1899 (textavailableonline). The book was written by the Japanese educator I...