Author: japan flower tour home

Day 4, April 16, 2025, Osaka Kansai Expo, guide in the western area

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Date: 16th April 2025

Today, I am guiding visitors in the area near the west gate of the venue of Osaka Expo 2025. The east gate is popular with visitors because it is directly connected to Yumeshima Station by subway on the Osaka Subway Central Line.

On the other hand, the west gate can only be accessed by car, such as a shuttle bus, and we need to make a reservation in advance to get there, except for the shuttle bus from JR Sakurajima Station, which is the closest to the west gate, so we need to be a little careful. I booked a shuttle bus from 10:00 a.m., a little after the peak entering time, and headed to JR Sakurajima Station. Since it was a weekday, I was able to transfer from JR Sakurajima Station and arrive at the west gate smoothly.

Guidance within the venue is mainly provided by standing next to the information boards installed in various places in the venue, and guiding guests who are unsure of the way or need detailed information. The scale of the area displayed on the front and back of the information board is different, so it is effective to first check your current location on the overall map and then look for your destination. If there are volunteers nearby, it is a good idea to feel free to ask them.

Today’s lunch was in the staff cafeteria, which is also open to volunteers. Compared to the restaurants in the public venue, which are sometimes critisized for their high prices, it is a small reward for volunteers to be able to enjoy lunch with a slightly more economical menu.

I could to visit some pavilions before and after volunteering.

PASONA NATUREVERSE Pavilion

The pavilion features exhibits related to life, such as an artificial heart using iPS cells and a display of future remote surgery.

USA Pavilion

The pavilion is themed “Imagine What We Can Create Together,” and introduces the history of the United States, especially advanced technologies such as space development, and displays Lunar samples. Please note that if you queue for the English explanation when entering, you will have a shorter wait time.

Italy Pavilion

The pavilion is themed “Art regenerates Life,” and when you enter the building, which is modeled after the Colosseum, you will find sophisticated exhibits. You will be amazed by the breathtaking works of art, such as Caravaggio’s Entombment of Christ and Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of the Atlantic Code. Although I was not able to stop by due to time constraints this time, you can also enjoy Italian cuisine at the rooftop restaurant.

Australia Pavilion

The exhibition has the theme of Chasing the Sun and focuses on coexistence with Australia’s rich natural environment.

Day 3, 15th April 2025, Osaka Kansai Expo 2025, volunteer at Namba Station

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Date: 15th April 2025

Today I have been assigned for for guiding the way outside the Osaka Expo site. We welcomed the guests at Namba Station of Nankai Railway, where many visitors from Kansai International Airport, the gateway to Osaka, stop by, and not only provided access to the Expo site, but also provided transportation to many other tourist’s spots like, Kyoto, Nara, or Koyasan, and guided them to the sightseeing spots in Osaka city.

For visitors whose destination was not the Expo site, I answered their questions and tried to add a comment at the end saying, “Please come to the Expo when you have time.

After the volunteer activities at Namba Station were over, as my self-study, I visited popular tourist spots for foreign tourists such as Dotonbori, Sennichimae, Kuromon Fish Market, and Hozenji Temple in “Minami” near Namba, and then I checked out the Sonezakicho area near Umeda, called “Kita”, and finished today’s activities.

Of course, I also thoroughly checked the taste of Osaka’s local popular gourmet foods such as “Butaman” pork buns, kasu udon, and yakitori.

Day 2, 14th April 2025, Osaka Kansai Exp 2025, nice and pleasant day

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Date: 14th April 2025

Today, my shift is to guide people inside the venue of Osaka Kansai EXPO, mainly on the patio or alley. Not only are the visitors new to the event, but the volunteers are also still new to it, so I often can’t answer customers’ questions right away and have to look up information on websites or resources before I answer.

However, unlike yesterday, today, the weather was good, there were relatively few visitors, and the customers seemed to be enjoying the Expo at a leisurely pace.

It seems that customers are happy when I take my time and have fun looking up answers together with them.

Opening day, 13th April 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 in Osaka Healthcare Pavilion

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Today, 13th April 2025, the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 just started

Also, my volunteer wark is started from the first day. Since it was the first day, a large number of people visited, and although it was expected to some extent, the opening was quite crowded and chaotic. Today, I walked from Yumeshima Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line and entered the venue via the East Gate. Compared to the West Gate, which can only be accessed by shuttle bus, entering from the East Gate is more convenient, even if it is a little crowded. For the Osaka Expo, the Chuo Line was extended from Cosmo Square Station, one stop before, to Yumeshima Station. An additional 90 yen fee is required for this extended section. This section is not included in the Osaka Metro “Enjoy Eco Card,” which allows unlimited use of all lines in one day, so if you use this card, you should be aware that you will have to pay an additional 90 yen fee at Yumeshima Station.

Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn

On the first day of volunteering, I guided visitors inside the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn, pavilion of the organizer of the EXPO, Osaka prefecture and city. The area I was in charge of was relatively less chaotic, and I tried to respond with a smile as much as possible so that the visitors could enjoy themselves.

Before and after the activity, I was able to walk freely around inside of the Expo site, and I was able to enjoy it with the general visitors, except for places and activities that required reservations.

Unfortunately, it rained heavily, so the Blue Impulse demonstration flight was canceled, and there were many people who waited the event, in the rain for a long time, which made me a little worried about the customer satisfaction. Also, there were pavilions that were not yet completed and were under construction, so it was a slightly unsettling opening.

For me, the excitement I felt at the Osaka Expo 55 years ago came back to me, and I also had the opportunity to enjoy some brief conversations with the pavilion companions. I am looking forward to the activities that begin today.

Sightseeing in Chinatown and watching baseball in Yokohama

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Date: 9th April 2025

At the end of March, I took a family from Oregon, who we had taken to famous places in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawagoe, etc., to Chinatown in Yokohama and Yokohama Baseball Stadium to watch a Japanese professional baseball game. Nowadays, interest in Japanese professional baseball seems to be growing due to the success of many Japanese players in the American major leagues. At the end of March, I received a request for a tour guide through a Canadian company’s website, but this time we planned a unique tour.

We left Tokyo in the afternoon and first went to Yokohama Chinatown to eat some Chinese snacks and fill our stomachs before going to the stadium. It was right after the opening season, and the match was playing against the popular Giants, so we enjoyed Japanese baseball while drinking beer in a packed crowd studium.

Atsuhiro not only got tickets to my husband’s favorite baseball game and enjoyed watching baseball in Yokohama, but also planned a food tour in Chinatown, which we enjoyed very much. Thank you.

Review from the guest

Atsuhiro not only got tickets to my husband’s favorite baseball game and enjoyed watching baseball in Yokohama, but also planned a food tour in Chinatown, which we enjoyed very much. Thank you.

I guided passengers of cruise ship to popular places in Shimizu city

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Date: 7th April 2025

Today, I guided the Celebrity Millennium passengers who came to Shimizu Port to Shimizu city’s famous tourist spots.

Today’s my passengers were 40 people, and the tour bus was full to capacity. It was my first time to guide the passengers around Shimizu City by bus, so I was a little nervous. First, we headed for the scenic Miho’s pine beach. The passengers had already enjoyed the view of Mt. Fuji from the cruise ship, but they were looking forward to seeing Mt. Fuji in contrast to the beautiful pine grove. Also, since the time we stayed in Miho was short, I briefly explained the legend of the heavenly maiden on the bus and headed for the coast. Unfortunately, Mt. Fuji was hidden by clouds by the time we arrived the beach, but the passengers were able to stroll along the sandy beach as they pleased.

After that, we took the ropeway from Nihon-daira to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. The stone steps leading to Toshogu Shrine are a bit steep, so after warning everyone to watch their step, I allowed them to stroll freely. Although it was a free stroll, I tried to explain important points such as the highlights of the building and Ieyasu’s mausoleum to as many people as possible by running around place by place. The cherry blossoms in the temple grounds were a little past their peak, but everyone still enjoyed themselves.

None of the 40 guests got lost, and we returned to the cruise ship right on schedule, so I received loud applause and words of praise from everyone when we arrived.

Review from the guest

The guide gave interesting explanations at key points, and was attentive to make sure no one got lost. We really had a great time.

The Imperial Palace, Asakusa and Meiji Shrine in full bloom in spring

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Date: 6th April 2025

I guided a four-person Russian Americans family visiting from the US through Tokyo in full bloom in spring. The Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms were in full bloom at the time, but they also enjoyed the beautiful spring in Tokyo, learning about the differences between weeping cherry blossoms and other cherry blossoms, as well as the young leaves of the ginkgo tree, the tree of Tokyo.

At Meiji Shrine, I explained the relationship between Shinto and everyday life, starting from a car that was just being purified at the car purification center, and at Sensoji Temple, I touched on the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism in Japan, explaining Japanese culture from various perspectives.

This tour was organized through Tours by Locals.

Review from the guest posted to Tours by Locals

We had a fantastic day in Tokyo with Atsuhiro Meno as our guide. Our group of four adults really appreciated his balance of interesting facts and fun stories—he shared cool insights without ever getting too geeky or overwhelming. Atsuhiro navigated the metro like a pro, which made moving around the city smooth and stress-free. He also took us to some great hidden gems we would’ve never found on our own. Atsuhiro is intelligent, tasteful, and clearly passionate about sharing Japanese culture in an accessible way. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a smart, engaging, tour of Tokyo.

I guided and sent cruise ship passengers from Yokohama Port via Tokyo’s popular spots

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Date: 5th April 2025

Today, I guided thepassengers of cruise ship, Diamond Princess who were returning home from Narita Airport, visiting Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, and then sent them off to Narita Airport.

Torii gate Meiji shrine

After greeting the passengers I picked up at Yokohama Port on the bus, I gave them a brief explanation of Yokohama and Tokyo, and then I explained and visited the approach to Meiji Shrine and the main hall. At Sensoji Temple, I explained the highlights of Sensoji Temple to those who wanted to, and then let them to explore freely. At Sensoji Temple, the place where we get off the bus is different from the place where we get on, so we clearly communicated the meeting place and time before giving them free time to do their thing. Fortunately, all the guests gathered at the meeting time, so I explained the scenery on the way to Narita Airport and sent them off to Narita Airport, where they then headed home.

I introduced a one-day tour of the popular spots around Mt. Fuji

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Date: 3rd April 2025

Today, I took three guests from the United States, who we had guided around Tokyo until the day before yesterday, to the popular spots around Mt. Fuji. We left the hotel in a one-box wagon with a driver and headed straight for Arakurayama Sengen Park. In good weather, it is a super popular spot where we can see cherry blossoms, the five-story pagoda of Chureito, and Mt. Fuji all at once. Unfortunately, it has been raining since morning, so there is little chance of seeing Mt. Fuji, but we would move according to the schedule planned by the travel agency. We could not enter the parking lot near the Arakurayama Sengen Park with our hired car, so we asked the driver of the hire car to drive as close as possible and wait there.

After that, we headed to the observation deck on the Kawaguchiko Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway, but we still couldn’t see Mt. Fuji. We ate the specialty hoto noodle at a restaurant by the lake and went to Oshino Hakkai. The weather improved a little, so we took a walk around the beautiful spring water, and then I dropped them off at the hotel in Hakone, and today’s mission was over.

This tour was arranged by a Japanese travel agency.

We enjoyed the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and a Sumida River cruise.

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Date: 1st April 2025

Following on from yesterday, I guided three guests from the United States to sightseeing spots in Tokyo. Unfortunately, it was raining from the morning, but the customers wanted to see both the Nijubashi Bridge, the main gate of the Imperial Palace, and the East Garden, so I first explained the situyation and meaning of the Imperial Palace in front of the Nijubashi Bridge, and then, since it was spring and the season for passing through the Imperial Palace, we walked from Sakashita Gate to Inui Gate, and then strolled through the East Garden. There were many kinds of cherry blossoms in bloom, but unfortunately the rain and cold weather meant we couldn’t enjoy them very slowly.

After that, we visited Sensoji Temple, had tempura for lunch, and then enjoyed the spring scenery on a Sumida River cruise to Hinode Pier, admiring the cherry blossoms blooming on the banks of the Sumida River.

We had planned to stroll through Hama Rikyu Garden from Hinode Pier, but the wind was getting stronger, so we enjoyed shopping in the basement of a department store in Ginza and around shopping area.

This tour was arranged by a Japanese travel agency.

Theme: Overlay by Kaira.  Extra Text
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