Many times our itinerary includes large cities as a place to begin a journey. We may fly into a metropolitan area and head off on adventures. Tokyo is an adventure all its own! We spent several days exploring on our own and with two guides. Our first guide was a volunteer guide who spent a day with us. She showed us how to obtain a railway pass and several of her favorite Tokyo spots. What a friendly, warm welcome to her city.
Learn more about volunteer greeters-maybe even volunteer to greet a guest in your city! https://internationalgreeter.org/
Our Tokyo stay also included a second guide. She would be our guide for the remainder of our Japan journey with Overseas Adventure Travel.
Two guides, several days and one enormous city!
Our volunteer guide in Tokyo.
Before entering the elevated area of a shrine there is a cleansing ritual. Our guide taught us the process.
Our guide for the remainder of our trip was so gracious. She invited us to her mother’s home for dinner. We had sukiyaki and sashimi. It was a memorable evening! Yurika (our guide) demonstrated how to play a stringed instrument. We were also treated to a peek at her mother’s kimonos. They were wrapped in beautiful paper and stored in large shallow drawers.
Families bring children at certain ages to be blessed. The dress they wear is spectacular!
Ginza District in Tokyo. They compare it to Time Square in the United States.
The photo below is of a fun and lively bartender we met. She poured us a Japanese whiskey and told us about a sushi restaurant. Then she followed us out of her tiny bar and directed us down the street. Unfortunately the restaurant was completely booked. I’d love to enjoy another whiskey with this friendly and kind woman!
We observe field trips all over the world!
This dramatic photo was taken following a more serious discussion of Sumo wrestling with two retired Sumo athletes. We finished our visit with lunch prepared by the athletes.
Tokyo Tower
Hold on! Busy transit time means crowded trains and subways. Everything and everyone is very orderly.
Tokyo Station
As our volunteer guide was showing us the historic station a dignitary was being escorted. She was very excited that she was there to see the event.
View from our hotel in Tokyo.
The “scramble” intersection with what seems like a thousand pedestrians! It was wild!
Taiko Drums
We experienced so much in this city. Tokyo was a great place to experience Japanese urban life. Now we’ll head to some smaller cities. I’m sure we’ll have many more rich experiences.
Travel and open your hearts and your minds.
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