What is the ‘placemaking’ needed to be a memorable guide?

On Saturday 26 August, the second special summer course on how to become a memorable guide.
Four students participated again in the lingering summer heat.

As this was the first time for some of the participants, they were asked to introduce themselves again and to reflect on what they had learned and the challenges they faced, so that those who had not participated in the previous session could get the message.

What does ‘placemaking’ look like, which is essential for being a memorable guide?
Workshops were held in pairs to look for commonalities.

Through the workshops, they had realised that ‘that ‘placemaking’ is about being interested in the person, wanting to know them, leaning in and acting on them.

Smiling is an important first impression, essential for a tour guide to make a good impression.
Here, too, the participants were divided into pairs and conducted a ‘smile check’.
Despite their shyness, they said good things about each other’s smiles, which led to even more beautiful smiles.

And than, brush up on the guide at the observatory.
In the previous course, the lecturer’s explanations were passed on to the others, but this time the guides guided again without the lecturer’s explanations, but with content assembled by each of them.

We had planned to practise at the place we explained last time, but on the day, “I really want to guide at the café!” came forward, and we had a very exciting guiding session at the café “Starlight Clearings” at short notice.

Compared to last time, everyone was a surprisingly imposing guide.

TAKAHASHIGAWA TRAVEL’s desire “I would like to see you again”, we are experiencing what it is like to be a guide and getting one step closer to becoming a guide that will remain in our hearts and minds.

The instructors were very inspired by the positive attitude of the students towards learning, as they could feel that they were developing guides with originality and youthful energy.

‘Placemaking’ ,「場づくり」in Japanese, is a term coined and not found in the dictionary. ‘Placemaking’ means that when you meet someone for the first time, you want to get to know them. It is about engaging with that person in a way that makes them want to get to know you.
Practise ‘placemaking’ and become a memorable guide.

In the next session, we will finally assume the role of an English-speaking guide and try to interpret the expert’s explanations based on our knowledge of Kurashiki’s history!

TAKAHASHIGAWA TRAVEL for organising tours around Kurashiki

Based in Kurashiki, we create activities and tours of the attractive contents of the Takahashi River basin and sell them mainly to visitors to Japan. We can also customise tours that are not listed here to meet your requirements on an order-made basis. Kurashiki City is not only home to the Bikan Historical Quarter, but also to many other attractive places. It has a large park close to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, and is famous for its Sakatsu pottery; Tamashima, a port town where tea culture has taken root; and Kojima, the birthplace of domestic jeans, where you can see the Great Seto Bridge up close. We do not just walk around the towns and return home, but organise trips where you can learn more about the area and leave with a lasting impression through experiences that can only be had in those places. Please contact, for more information.

Tours offered by『TAKAHASHIGAWA TRAVEL』

■Private Kimono Photo Walk in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Kimono tour of photo spots in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
■Get to Know Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Tour around the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter with an English-speaking guide
■Half-Day Shared Tour at Kurashiki with Local Guide
Tours guided by local person who have lived in Kurashiki City for many years and who will show you around the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter