We used a similar volunteer guide service in Kamakura over 10 years ago. The guy spoke perfect English and we paid for his transportation and entrance costs. We also paid for his lunch, which he ate with us, as he was with us for most of the day. The guy was really wonderful and we can’t recommend these types of services highly enough. But as John says don’t cancel on them if you do book them, and as always treat everyone with respect. They are providing this service out of the kindness of their hearts.
That’s wonderful! I remembering having a guided tour in Hiroshima with a taxi driver all day when I lived there. His wife had died and he just wanted to take me around, lonely. We had quite a fun day exploring and I tried to pay him but he wouldn’t take the money. He said he got more from the experience than I did. Such a nice reply … couldn’t agree so I bought him a beer after he out the taxi away. Never saw him again. Before social media and the internet (era of PHS mobile phones) but those experiences with local guides all day can be the experience you remember the most from a trip. Thank you for sharing your story.
Me and my Montreal Canadian family will be arriving in Tokyo on Jan 01. We are very excited and will definitely do one of those free tours, the one you took looks really interesting. Thanks for all the fabulous videos you make, I loved spending Christmas morning with you and your beautiful family. All the best John for 2025 🎉😊
That's nice. Last time on my Trip i took a spontaneous rickshaw ride, surly not really inexpensive, but the experience and the information i got, was really cool. I put these here on my list, thanks John, crazy that most are just Free 😮 Have a great Day!
We enjoyed a similar free service with Tokyo Greeters. Show a little gratitude to the tour guide by bringing a small gift from where you live or donate to their organization.
That’s such a nice gesture! Small donations to the group. Boxes of snacks from home that a group can nibble on is so nice, usually they share it with the family or others at the office. That’s why they sell gift boxes with 36 individually wrapped snacks at stations in Japan. But to be honest, anything you bring as a gift is super appreciated. As long as it’s not cash 😉
How timely. Thank you John for this info on Tokyo Volunteer Guided Tour as I am currently researching for my trip to Japan in August. Will definitely book a tour with them as I always enjoy tours given by locals wherever I travel. Just started watching your vlogs and must say you are doing a great job, I enjoy watching. Thanks
I had one of these volunteer guides in Himeji castle. Older lady toured with me for about 90 minutes telling me all kinds of stories about the castle. Made the visit lot more interesting.
There is also a service of renting Japanese middle age -men which only cost 1,000 yen’s or just above $6 USD an hour. They can also be your guide in Tokyo or some city if they are about to speak some English
Thank you! But they’re not official guides nor supported by the city so I can’t recommend that service over this one but you’re right, other guide services exist.
I think most people would rather wander off and explore Tokyo on their own but its good to hear a local’s perspective and on top of that its free. Probably good for a random conversation as well. Thanks for sharing with us. Hopefully 2025 is a good year for all of us and also to u and the good work u have done for OIJ.
Volunteer Guided tours sounds a great service and as a future Tokyo visitor i would appreciate that service a lot😎Absorbing all of the given information is welcomed whether their english is fluent or not 😎Just the effort and they’re volunteer is the best goal for them and for us for sure🤔Thank you for sharing this informative and enjoyable stream John 🙂👍🎄!!!
John, what does your opinion on politics have to do with Japan travel? Like your opinion on the Canadian president or their economy? How about give the different sides instead of just yours? And your opinion on Gen Z because Gen Z’s for sure doesn’t agree with your views about them.
@myfesta2C4S What does your opinion on Canadians have to do with anything when you're not even Canadian? (real canadian would know there's no canadian president)
We used a similar volunteer guide service in Kamakura over 10 years ago. The guy spoke perfect English and we paid for his transportation and entrance costs. We also paid for his lunch, which he ate with us, as he was with us for most of the day. The guy was really wonderful and we can’t recommend these types of services highly enough. But as John says don’t cancel on them if you do book them, and as always treat everyone with respect. They are providing this service out of the kindness of their hearts.
That’s wonderful! I remembering having a guided tour in Hiroshima with a taxi driver all day when I lived there. His wife had died and he just wanted to take me around, lonely. We had quite a fun day exploring and I tried to pay him but he wouldn’t take the money. He said he got more from the experience than I did. Such a nice reply … couldn’t agree so I bought him a beer after he out the taxi away. Never saw him again. Before social media and the internet (era of PHS mobile phones) but those experiences with local guides all day can be the experience you remember the most from a trip. Thank you for sharing your story.
Me and my Montreal Canadian family will be arriving in Tokyo on Jan 01. We are very excited and will definitely do one of those free tours, the one you took looks really interesting. Thanks for all the fabulous videos you make, I loved spending Christmas morning with you and your beautiful family. All the best John for 2025 🎉😊
Respect from Canada ! Thank you for your support and as always amazing videos from Japan
That's nice. Last time on my Trip i took a spontaneous rickshaw ride, surly not really inexpensive, but the experience and the information i got, was really cool.
I put these here on my list, thanks John, crazy that most are just Free 😮
Have a great Day!
We enjoyed a similar free service with Tokyo Greeters. Show a little gratitude to the tour guide by bringing a small gift from where you live or donate to their organization.
That’s such a nice gesture! Small donations to the group. Boxes of snacks from home that a group can nibble on is so nice, usually they share it with the family or others at the office. That’s why they sell gift boxes with 36 individually wrapped snacks at stations in Japan.
But to be honest, anything you bring as a gift is super appreciated. As long as it’s not cash 😉
How timely. Thank you John for this info on Tokyo Volunteer Guided Tour as I am currently researching for my trip to Japan in August. Will definitely book a tour with them as I always enjoy tours given by locals wherever I travel. Just started watching your vlogs and must say you are doing a great job, I enjoy watching. Thanks
Please do! If the service is used often, they’ll expand it! I hope they do.
Great service for Japan loving tourists 🙏
I had one of these volunteer guides in Himeji castle. Older lady toured with me for about 90 minutes telling me all kinds of stories about the castle. Made the visit lot more interesting.
I think booking to GO Tokyo is a thing than others.......
Thank you John for the livestream. Take care and get well with your family.
Hi John. Good 👍.
See you in March .
Tokyo 🎉
I will use them when I am in Tokyo. Website bookmarked 😊! I will use them even when I am no longer a tourist.
We love Japan! 🇯🇵
There is also a service of renting Japanese middle age -men which only cost 1,000 yen’s or just above $6 USD an hour. They can also be your guide in Tokyo or some city if they are about to speak some English
Thank you! But they’re not official guides nor supported by the city so I can’t recommend that service over this one but you’re right, other guide services exist.
I think most people would rather wander off and explore Tokyo on their own but its good to hear a local’s perspective and on top of that its free. Probably good for a random conversation as well. Thanks for sharing with us. Hopefully 2025 is a good year for all of us and also to u and the good work u have done for OIJ.
The audio is fine
I was guided with an idol girl and a RUclipsr in Asakusa and Shinjuku.
Thanks for sharing it. Hopefully nobody abused the service. ✌️
Volunteer Guided tours sounds a great service and as a future Tokyo visitor i would appreciate that service a lot😎Absorbing all of the given information is welcomed whether their english is fluent or not 😎Just the effort and they’re volunteer is the best goal for them and for us for sure🤔Thank you for sharing this informative and enjoyable stream John 🙂👍🎄!!!
John, what does your opinion on politics have to do with Japan travel? Like your opinion on the Canadian president or their economy? How about give the different sides instead of just yours? And your opinion on Gen Z because Gen Z’s for sure doesn’t agree with your views about them.
You speak for Gen Z? 😂
Canada Post wouldn’t take mail from Japan for a month. It created a lot of problems. There you go.
Why would he give time to something he doesn't agree with?
@myfesta2C4S What does your opinion on Canadians have to do with anything when you're not even Canadian? (real canadian would know there's no canadian president)