Guided by goodwill

Paper brochures will only get you so far. Japan's volunteer guides bring the brochure to life.

Words dreaded by anyone returning from a trip are "Oh, you should have gone here!" Groan! For future trips over most of Japan, let the Goodwill Guides help ensure that doesn't happen again!

Goodwill Guides (GG) have dozens of chapters all over Japan staffed by volunteers in fact they cover every prefecture and every major city with the exception of Okinawa.

GGs will guide you around their city for free and ensure you hit all of the highlights. Tours are offered in different languages depending on the group.

It is important to note, the guides offer their services for free and tours can last from a few hours to all day but you are expected to pay for their meals should you eat together, travel expenses if you travel with the guide during the tour or admission if it is required. However, each group operates a little differently on what you are expected to pay.

The volunteers are usually students, homemakers or retirees who want to practice their language skills and tell people about the nation of which they are proud. As such, engaging your guide in conversation will probably be a matter of courtesy. As a volunteer service, the levels of language might not be quite the same as the professionals, but this will be more than made up for by their enthusiasm and local knowledge.

Goodwill Guide groups are sponsored by the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) and operate under the official name "Systematized Goodwill Guides" - although some groups have variations on the name or something completely different (see the link below to the JNTO website for a detailed list).

Who is eligible to use this free guide service? You are. There are no restrictions but the availability of the guides through demand and their schedules.

Usually GG tours must be arranged in advance from one day and up. Some guides have pre-set routes they follow and some are open to taking you where you want to go. This information can be ascertained when you call or email to arrange your tour if it is not on the website. Be careful of busy seasons, sometimes the guides will be booked in advance or not available at all.

Some GG groups also put on events. The Nara YMCA Goodwill Guide group offers a cultural event on the second Tuesday of every month. During this event, people get the experience of being dressed in kimono. Although they don't offer full geisha make-up, for a small $2 fee to cover the expenses you can participate in tea ceremony while wearing the kimono. Kimono and tea cere- mony for $2! Not a bad price to pay for an enriching cultural experience. Inquire among different groups as to what events or services they are connected with or offer. What you see on the website may not be all.

When time is at a premium, having someone who knows the lay of the land so you can cram in as much as possible is definitely a boon. When the cost is free, however, that knowledge gets so much sweeter.

So fear not if your Japanese is not up to par, or if you have visitors from abroad who can't speak a word, take advantage of the Goodwill Guides to travel and ensure you get the most out of your time in Japan.

Text: Amanda Hare • Photos: KS