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Masumi - Tour Guide in Japan

ホーム
日本
Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa
Masumi - Tour Guide in Japan

Certified Tour Guide

01/11/2026

Yesterday, we were in Busan!

Since I don't work as a tour guide in Korea, I joined a Buddhist tea ceremony experience led by a monk, this time as a tour es**rt.

The tea ceremony was completely different from the Japanese tea ceremony, although some of the customs reminded me a little of those in China.

The monk spoke excellent English and explained Buddhist teachings as well as the rituals and etiquette of the tea ceremony.

Our guests asked so many interesting questions, and I believe the experience helped them gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy.

I am a Buddhist myself, and I found many similarities between Korean and Japanese Buddhism. Of course, that makes perfect sense, as they share the same origins!

After the tea ceremony, we visited a beautiful Buddhist temple.

There is still more to share about our day in Busan, but I'll stop here for today. 😊

Our ship has just arrived at Karatsu Port in Japan! 🇯🇵🚢

01/11/2026

haloween night

01/11/2026

The ship was filled with Halloween spirit yesterday! 🎃👻

We had a great time enjoying the Halloween party in the evening! 🎉

01/11/2026

🚢 Windstar Star Seeker – Onboard Guide | Port of Call: Nagasaki

Yesterday, we visited Nagasaki!

At each port of call, five tour buses head out on different excursions.

My main responsibilities on this cruise include coordinating with local guides at each port, communicating with the ship's team and the Japanese travel agency, and, of course, guiding guests myself on shore excursions!

Working closely with so many wonderful people, I do my best to share the beauty, history, and culture of Japan with our guests.

In Nagasaki, our first stop was Urakami Cathedral, where a wedding ceremony was taking place.

We then visited the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park.

During the bus ride, I also shared stories about Nagasaki's fascinating history and culture beyond the atomic bombing.

When we returned to the ship, we were greeted by a wonderful traditional performance by the Nagasaki Kenban geisha!

The guests were absolutely delighted, and the atmosphere was full of excitement!

And as we departed, local students gave us a heartwarming send-off with a brass band performance. 🎺🎶

Their wonderful music made us feel the warmth and hospitality of the people of Nagasaki.

A day filled with history, traditional culture, and heartfelt hospitality.

Thank you, Nagasaki!

I'll be back! ♡

30/10/2026

🚢 Windstar Star Seeker – Onboard Guide | Kagoshima Port

After a relaxing day at sea, we arrived at Kagoshima Port!

The morning began with light rain, but by the time our tour started, the rain had stopped. The sky was still overcast, and the summit of Sakurajima was hidden behind the clouds.

Our first stop was Sengan-en Garden, where I introduced our guests to the fascinating history of the Shimazu clan, a powerful family with a remarkable legacy that played a significant role in Japan’s modernization.

Afterwards, we headed to Tenmonkan for some shopping and free time.

By late afternoon, the clouds had cleared, and Sakurajima finally revealed itself in all its glory!

Another highlight of my visit to Kagoshima was reuniting with some familiar faces—my wonderful fellow tour guides!

They are all such experienced and talented guides, and our guests were absolutely delighted with their tours.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone!

Until we meet again! ♡

28/10/2026

🚢 Windstar Star Seeker – Second Port of Call: Shingu! ⛩️

Yesterday, we explored Kumano, one of Japan's most sacred regions, deeply rooted in the spiritual heart of the Japanese people.

Our first stop was a truly special place — Hananoiwaya Shrine, traditionally believed to be Japan's oldest shrine.

We then visited Onigajo, famous for its dramatic rock formations shaped by the forces of nature.

Our final stop was Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine, one of the three sacred Kumano Grand Shrines.

Some of our guests said they could actually feel the spiritual energy of Kumano. ✨

We also had an unexpected momentsalong the way! 😅

All in all, it was a truly special and memorable day in so many ways.

I'm filled with gratitude for all the wonderful people who helped make this day so special. ❤️

And now, we're sailing toward Kagoshima! 🚢🌊

27/10/2026

🚢 Windstar Star Seeker – First Port of Call: Shimizu! 🇯🇵

Our cruise adventure aboard the Windstar Star Seeker has officially begun!

Our first port of call was Shimizu, where I guided our guests to Nihondaira, Ume Terrace, and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine.

With limited time, I shared stories of three great samurai leaders who shaped Japan’s history, while our guests enjoyed the beautiful scenery and fascinating historical sites.

Unfortunately, Mount Fuji was hiding behind the clouds today, but everyone seemed to enjoy the tour!

The weather forecast had promised improving conditions, but the sky remained cloudy all day.

Well, that’s something we simply can’t control! 😊

Tomorrow, we’re heading to Shingu, a region steeped in Japanese mythology.

We’ll be visiting Hananoiwaya Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site believed to be Japan’s oldest shrine, where Izanami, the mother of Japanese deities, is enshrined.

I’m really looking forward to it! ⛩️✨

26/10/2026

🚢 My Windstar Star Seeker Adventure Begins!

Yesterday, I boarded the Windstar Star Seeker at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal!

The terminal was all decked out for Halloween, adding a festive touch to the start of my new adventure. 🎃

Once on board, I caught up with the crew and had meetings with the tour coordinators for each port of call.

And now, the excitement begins! ✨

This time, most of our guests are from the United States, so I'll be switching to American English for my guiding! 🇺🇸

Our first stop is Shimizu Port.
The weather is looking up, too!

Looks like Lady Luck is on my side again! ☀️😊

23/10/2026

Days 14 & 15 of our tour with guests from the UK and Australia 🇬🇧🇦🇺

Our last two days of sightseeing were spent exploring Tokyo!

On Day 14, we started with a visit to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, where everyone could get a sense of the enormous scale of the former Edo Castle grounds.

Then we headed to Shibuya, the vibrant heart of Tokyo’s youth culture, famous for its bustling Scramble Crossing. Everyone had some free time to explore this lively neighbourhood.

In the afternoon, I offered an optional visit to the Tokyo National Museum, and to my surprise, 20 guests decided to join me! What an amazing turnout! I was absolutely delighted! 😊

The museum is a wonderful place to discover Japanese history and culture. Everyone was impressed by the beautiful architecture and the incredible collections on display.

On Day 15, we visited the ever-popular Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, followed by Tokyo Skytree.

Unfortunately, Mt. Fuji was hiding from us, but everyone seemed to enjoy the magnificent tower itself, its impressive engineering, and the spectacular views over Tokyo.

In the afternoon, our guests had a chance to experience a Japanese department store.

And then came our final evening together!

We celebrated aboard a traditional yakatabune dinner cruise, with a party, karaoke, and lots of laughter! 🎤🎶

What a wonderful group of people! Everyone got along so well, and it has been such a joy to share this journey with them.

These past two weeks have been filled with unforgettable moments, and I have been deeply touched by the warmth and friendship of this lovely group.

Thank you all so much for making this tour so special! ❤️

And now, our final day has arrived. It’s time for everyone to begin their journey home.

What an incredible journey it has been! 🇯🇵

20/10/2026

Day 13 of our tour with guests from the UK and Australia 🇬🇧🇦🇺

Another day in the Mt. Fuji area!

Unfortunately, we had heavy rain and strong winds at Owakudani today. Both the Hakone Ropeway and the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruises were suspended due to the weather.

So, after enjoying Owakudani’s famous black eggs, we visited the Hakone Geo Museum, followed by the Narukawa Art Museum.

The Narukawa Art Museum specializes in Nihonga, traditional Japanese-style painting, and has a wonderful collection of beautiful artworks.

But there’s so much more to see! The museum also has a magnificent 3,000-year-old cedar tree, kaleidoscopes, and impressive sculptures.

My personal favourite was an incredibly intricate ivory carving of a dragon. The craftsmanship and attention to detail were simply breathtaking!

Our hotel in Mishima was another lovely surprise. Mt. Fuji was featured in all sorts of designs throughout the hotel, even at the bottom of the drinking glasses! Some of our guests loved the glasses so much that they bought one to take home. 😊

We have now arrived in Tokyo!

We’ll be exploring the city over the next two days, and the weather forecast looks promising.

Hopefully, we’ll have some lovely weather and more wonderful experiences to share! ☀️