I am a member of the Japan Federation of Certified Guides (JFG), a cooperative of tour guides, and I occasionally receive guide job referrals from them. Today, I attended a training session for guides organized by JFG. Despite the scorching heat, around 270 members gathered at the venue, which was about a 15-minute walk from Shibuya Station.
The training was divided into two sessions: from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. A veteran guide was invited as a lecturer, and the theme was how to guide guests during a three-day bus tour.
To be honest, I’m not considering guiding such tours, so I don’t necessarily need this training. However, I learned a lot from the experiences shared by the seasoned guide.
Above all, I reaffirmed the importance of deepening my understanding of Japanese culture. For example, I didn’t even know that draining water from the rice fields was part of the process. Other things I need to quickly research include the production process of sake, the distinction between old and new swords (it is said that the production method of old swords is not entirely clear), and the fact that the metaphors hidden in daimyo gardens can be categorized. These were presented as tasks for me to further investigate.
There were also plenty of tips on how to build relationships with guests, drivers, and stakeholders at tourist sites. The historical background of why tattoos are rejected at public baths was also informative.
During an unprecedented inbound tourism boom, I’m grateful for these initiatives to improve the quality of guiding. They are also essential for helping tourists understand Japan correctly.