Happy Holidays

Hi, I'm Yukari, Okinawa's English speaking tour guide.
The last tour guide job in 2011 finished yesterday.
I had a great encounter with wonderful guests.

I look forward to guiding you next in Okinawa Japan.
Traveling in Okinawa is fun, if you are with Yukari--much better.

All's well ends well.

Happy Holidays!

Smile and Peace



Smily Okinawa Shisa (good luck charm)




Shisa figure carrying Sake bottle on their way to PARTIES!




Baby guest and his charming smile.

Read Me First

Hi,

I'm Yukari Marsh.
I am a government licensed guide-interpreter
working in Okinawa Japan.

I've guided group tours, family tours,
team buidling tours for corporations,
familialization tours for overseas travel agents
and VIP tours.

If you are looking for a tour guide in Okinawa,
please e-mail me.
yukari.marsh<at>nifty.com


See you !




Yukari Marsh:
Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter
(English Tour Guide)

What is a “Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter”?

In order to work as a guide-interpreter for overseas travelers in Japan,
he/she must pass the national examination conducted by
the Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Ministry,
and obtain a license from his/her prefectural governor.

In addition to the specialized language ability,
he/she must possess a deep understanding of the Japanese geography,
history, industry, economy, politics and culture.

I have this license and is a member of
“Japan Federation of Certified Guide (JFG) " and
"Okinawa Interpreter Guide Association (OIGA)".
I completed intensive guide-interpreter training course in March 2006.

Okinawa tour guide on the road

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide,
Yukari's weblog.


The peak tour season has ended for me
and I believe for most English tour guides in Japan as well.

Since the 3.11 disaster, Japan's tourism has been hard hit.
Okinawa too is deeply-impacted;
but personally, I've been fortunate to have tours,
welcoming overseas guests to Okinawa.

A young lady named Casandra was one of the tour guests I had this year.
She took some great photos and they include myself in the tour bus.


This is the one with Okinawa style castanet called Sanba.
I'm showing how to use them.




After my demonstration, guests take turn to play the Sanba.





This is the one when I explain Japanese characters (Kanji,
Hiragana, and Katakana), and Okinawa's former name Ryukyu.





And this one, what am I showing?
An illustration of Okinawa style family tomb.
Some of the related topics to share are:
Obon period,
Eisa folk dance, 
the idea of Nirai Kanai Shangli-la world after one's death,
and family ties/bond seen in Okinawa.






I can help you design tour itinerary, too.
When you plan your visit to Okinawa,
please contact me.

www.marshcnet.com

Colors and sounds of a different city

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide,
Yukari's weblog.

Okinawa tour guide visited Fukuoka, Kyushu on Nov.3-4.
Fun to be in a different city, to hear different language/dialect,
and to be surronded by different colors.

Being a traveler myself made me rerealized the sense of being
in an extraordinary life scene.



Omikuji fortune telling papers tied after they are read.
(at Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine)






Dazaifu Tenmangu Shinto shrine





Lines of small shrines in green grove




Changing colors of leaves have just begun

Okinawa Longevity- meet Umeto-san (91) at Ryukyu-mura

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide,
Yukari's weblog.

Hectic October has gone; and here I am at my office
remembering how wonderfully my tours ended.

One of my recent tours took me to Ryukyu-mura (in Onna vil);
and gave me a chance to chat with a 91-year old lady, Umeto.


Umeto and Yukari.
Happy life long life!!!!!!




She works at this very popular tourist facility every other day
entertaining with her famous "bottle dance"; she dances along
Okinawan Kachashi music and carries a Sake bottle on her head.





Asked her the key to a long life, and she said to me:
"love yourself, enjoy your life, appreciate what you have".


Umeto-san playing Okinawa's 3 stringed guitar called
Sanshin.




Ryukyu-mura entertaiment held twice a day; 10am and 4pm.

Shuri Castle 2-hour tour

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

I had a chance to guide a family group from Hawaii
to Shuri Castle this morning.

(Shuri Castle website in English)
http://oki-park.jp/shurijo-park/english/index.html






I greeted my guests at the General Information Counter
at Shuri Castle park,
then explained Okinawa's history: dated back to 1429 when
Okinawa was still called Ryukyu Kingdom.

The guests were to visit only Shuri Castle with me in 2 hours.
For a spot-guiding like today, I do not put too much information
and stay simple.
Hope they will enjoy their time in Okinawa.

The 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

Okinawa has a large number of emigrant population;
they are all over the world.

Every 5 years,
Worldwide Uchinanchu (local dialect meaning Okinawan people)
festival is held; and this year the 5th "big reunion party"
will be held (Oct. 12-16)

For more info: visit the official site:
http://www.wuf5th.com/index.php/en/top


I am going to attend a group from Hawaii;
the direct order came from Honolulu's travel agent.

Looking forward to the opening of this event!

The photo below is from the 4th Worldwide Uchianchu
Festival 2006 (the opening ceremony performance)

Pro guides in Okinawa Japan

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

Being a government certified tour guide myself,
I belong to two professional guide organizations:
Japan Federation of Certified Guides (JFG - nation wide organization)
http://www.jfg.to/green/jfg_eng.html

and Okinawa Interpreter Guide Association (Okinawa based organization).
The latter (OIGA) has just opened its web site:
http://www.oiga.jpn.com/english/index.html

Guest's Review-07

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide Yukari's weblog.

On the third week in April,
I guided three guests from California.
The guests' relative introduced me to them,
and I had exchanged many e-mails before their arrival;
when we finally met on our first day on the tour,
I felt we were good friends from long time ago.

I received a thank you note from them recently,
and would love to share it here how wonderful their stay in Okinawa was--
for they were long looking for their relatives and
miraculously we found them !

Arigato for our encounter!
Thank you Agnes-san for introducing me to them.!!


Charlene
Karen
Mitsuko
California, US
April 17-20, 2011

Hello Yukari-san,

 

Karen, Mitsuko and I are all safely home now. 
We are so indebted to you and Matayoshi-san(the driver)
for discovering our family members and guiding us to them! 
We couldn't have accomplished that without your help. 
Our visits to the Higas, the Kiyunas and the Hirokawas were
profoundly moving and deeply touched all of our hearts. 

Thank you for providing us with such rich memories. 
Your interpreting skills definitely made our travel smooth and rewarding. 
Please extend our gratitude and best wishes to Matayoshi-san. 
You two make a fantastic team!

 

With warmest wishes,

Charlene





The three guests at Zanpa beach, Yomitan.

Recent tours between Feb.--Apr.2011

Thank you and Arigato for visiting
Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide--Yukari Marsh's Okinawa Tour Guide blog.

I've been fine here in Okinawa, Japan;
keeping myself quite busy with work.

Here are some of the snapshots I took
from my recent tours.

One tour included Okinawa Karate practice in Yomitan;




one tour incuded a visit to Iriomote island nature trecking
together with canoe experience;
one night the guests enjoyed classical Okinawan (Ryukyu) dance
stage while "wow-ing" at delicious dinner;










on one tour, I took a silly photo like this one
only sticking out my face (I'm on the left);




the most recent guests from CA met their Okinawan relatives
for the first time in their life!--what an awesome moment !.




Come and visit Japan!
Come and enjoy Okinawa's summer 2011!

For your private English tour,
please e-mail me at
yukari.marsh<at>nifty.com

See you here next!

Prayer for Japan

Thank you all for your prayer for Japan.

I and my family are all OK.
Okinawa has NOT been affected
by the earthquake nor tsunami.

Yukari Marsh
Okinawa Tour Guide

Ocean Princess Guest's review-06

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

On January 21st, I had a chance to guide
a couple aboard Ocean Princess.
I received an e-mail from the guest
telling me how much they enjoyed the day.

Mr. and Mrs. D.M.
The U.S.
Ocean Princess

Dear Yukari,

Today I am reminiscing about our day in Okinawa
on January 21st, so  beautifully guided by you
and assisted by your thoughtful driver!

So many memories come to mind;
so many scenes are stored like photographs 
in my eye. 
I appreciate very much your willingness
to field my many questions as we drove
into town --Thank you!--

Thanks also for your commentary about sites
along the walk toward the Shurijo Castle Castle,
and once inside, your explanations about the court,
the beautiful rooms, and the roles of the various
parts of the castle.

Having lunch with you was a real pleasure, Kari, and mingling with the
folks on the street was such fun...I loved our visit to the food market,
the crafts shop and the workshops nearby.

This was more than a highlight of
an outstanding trip.
It was a unique and treasured experience
to have a one-on-one visit with another person
from the other side of our big, big world.

Many thanks for everything,
and thanks also to your very fine driver.





(photo taken at Naha port
 at the end of the tour with Mrs. DM)
Arigato & Thank you!

Guests Review -05

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

Last November, I guided a very cheerful and friendly
golfers group from Hawaii.
One of the tour participant recently e-mailed me
and told me "a DVD- memory of Okinawa"
was on my way!

She also added;
"WE all enjoyed the trip and came home to Hawaii with many fond memories.
You made it a very memorable trip for all of us. 
Please let me know when you receive it."

Thank you, Arigato for your warmth.


Yukari (second from the left) and guests
at Orion beer brewery.

Experience a free guided tour @Okinawa Museum

Thank you for visiting Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide Yukari's weblog.

I am a member of Okinawa Interpreter Guide
Association that is consisted of licensed
tour guides in English, Chinese, Korean and
French.

If you are in Okinawa Japan during the following
periods, why not visit Okinawa Prefectural
Museum and have a free guided tour?

*Feb.1, 2011 ~ Feb. 6, 2011.
and
*Feb.11, 2011 ~ Feb. 13, 2011.

For detailed information,
please refer the URL below.

http://www.jtbgmt.com/museumtourism/eng/index.html

First Cherry Blossom 2011

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

The feeling of excitment,
seeing the arrival of Okinawa's
cherry blossom (Sakura) season!

The photos below were taken just
25 minutes ago in Yomitan district
in the central part of Okinawa Island.

I am hoping that my guests on board
Ocean Princess(Jan.& Feb.) and Nautica (Mar.)
will get to enjoy the lovely pink blossoms.

What a beauty!

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

It's such a beautiful day in Okinawa;
nice and sunny with the high of 22C.
I'm off today, so went out for a little stroll
along Zanpa beach in Yomitan, located in
the central part of Okinawa main island.

My dear Sady accompanied me,
we both couldn't help but rush to this
white sandy beach...!

Happy Healthy New Year from Okinawa Japan

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

2011 is year of the rabbit (hare).
Those who were born in these years are
"rabbit people"--1915,1927,1939,1951,1963,
1975,1987,1999.
According to the Zodiac sign,
rabbit people are trusted and financially lucky!

Me??
No, I'm not the financially lucky one...;
but I am receiving a lot of inquiries
for 2011 season private tours in Okinawa.

I'd be happy to make your private
itinerary. Please e-mail me at
yukari.marsh<at>nifty.com
for more information.


Okinawa's Sakura Cherry blossom season
starts soon!!!
Best time for viewing is in February!

Okinawan cuisine on Kokusai street

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide,
Yukari's weblog.

December has come;
but we enjoyed beautiful sunny days this week-
a T-shirt weather of 27 degrees C.
Today though, it's chilly
and I feel like eating something hot,
like Okinawan noodle dish.

My favourite Okinawan noodle shop on Kokusai street
is here--- Shuri Suitenro.



The restaurant serves great food;
the photo image below is one examples of
a lunch set menu at 880 JPY.
Good deal!

Okinawan noodle in hot broth soup,
steamed brown rice,
pickled Mozuku seaweed,
Okinawan Zenzai sweetbeans,
sesason's green vegetables.




If you request a private tour and wish to include
a meal stop, I'd be happy to talk more about
Okinawan health food while enjoying eating.

Sightseeing and golf

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide Yukari (Kari)'s weblog.

It's a beautiful afternoon in November today.
The morning air was crisp and nice;
good day to welcome and start a tour for a group of 36.

After meeting them at a downtown hotel in Naha,
we headed down to the southern part of Okinawa.
Our first stop was one of the peace museums.





I'm in my office writing this weblog, why?

My guests are enjoying golf.
I'll ask them tomorrow to see
if there are lots of "Tiger Woodses" and
"Ai Miyazatoes".

Run! Kari run!

Autumn has come to Okinawa,

but it reached almost 27 degrees C today.

I received some photos from the guests I guided in September.

The one good evidence of "Kari the Okinawa tour guide has stamina!"

UPDATE: English guided walking tour in Okinawa Naha

UPDATED: (2010.09.23)
The OCT. 17 WALKING TOUR has been closed.


I have been guiding cruise passengers
professionally for the last 5 years.

In the Autumn 2010,
Yukari introduces the long-been-awaited

Naha WALK & Ride Monorail TOUR

for---
    Costa Romantica passengers!


NEW ! NEW!  NEW !  NEW !


WALK & RIDE Monorail TOUR in Okinawa Naha.


DATE: October 24th, 2010
Tour begins:  10am

Tour starts: Naha Wakasa Port Cruise Pier
  **If the cruise ship docks at Naha New Wharf,
     tour length is 30min longer and local bus ride
     will be added.

Tour ends:  Kokusai street in downtown Naha.
  **The tour does not end at the cruise pier;
     however,Yukari is happy to assist you
     to find your way back to the pier on your own.


Tour Length: 4.5 h /4 kilometers

Where you will visit:
(1)Naminoue Beach; the oasis for Naha citizens
(2)Naminoue Shinto Shrine; magnificent Shinto Shrine
    which stands on a cliff overlooking the East China Sea.
    (or Fukushu-en Garden; beautiful Chinese Garden)
(3)Banyan Tree House Restaurant; Naha's unique
    landmark. Stands by the Meiji Bridge which crosses
    over the Kokuba River
    (photo stop only)
(4)A ride on Okinawa's Monorail; clean and modern
    Okinawa's newest public transportation.
    We'll ride from Asahibashi station to Makishi station.
(5)Kokusai shopping street;
(6)Makishi Public Market; Naha citizens' "kitchen" and 
     where you will see friendly local people.
    (on the 4th Sunday, the market is closed)


Tour Fee:  4,800 Japanese Yen /person
               Children under 10 are free.
              
Included in the tour fee: 
        Private tour guide, Yukari Marsh.
        English information booklet.
        Okinawa Postcard
        Small Japanese goodluck gift

NOT included:
        Meals and drinks.
        Monorail fare (300 yen)
        Bus fare (300 yen)
        Gratuity.
 
How to BOOK:
        Please e-mail;
        yukari.marsh[at]nifty.com
 
        The booking closes on:
       
        OCT. 11th 2010 for 10/24 tour.

Payment:  50% deposit at the time of booking.
               Please send your deposit via Pay Pal.
               Balance is to be paid in Japanese Yen cash
               when you meet Yukari at the pier.
              

Refund:    Sorry, there's no refund
               once the deposit is sent.
               Should your cruiseship skips Naha
               due to bad weather or any other emergency
               reasons, we'll refund 25% of the paid deposit.

Tour Size: This is a consolidated walking tour.
               You can book a place just for yourself,
               or as a small group with your friends.
               The largest number in a tour: 16.
               Minimum number of guests to conduct a tour: 4
              

Child friendly?---YES!
Stroller friendly?--YES!
Senior friendly?--YES!

The walking tour is at an easy pace; however
please prepare comfortable walking shoes,
sunscreen, hat, and rain gear.
The tour is on rain or shine!

Chatan American Vil. New Shopping Complex

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide Yukari's weblog.

Chatan township located in the central part of
Okinawa main island now has a brand new
shopping complex "Depot Island".


American Village in Mihama, Chatan.
Just off the route 58, you will see the sign.





This is the brand new landmark
--the pink clock tower.




There are about 50 shops, restaurants,
beauty salons, a live house MODS' and
Okinawa's great wood block print
artist Naka Bokunen's Art Gallery.


What it looks like a great Tsunami wave,
this is AKARA--where you find the art gallery.
First floor is a shop that sells souveniors
and the gallery is on the second floor.
The admission is 800 yen.




Depot Island is just so colorful!
It makes you feel like you are in some
European country.








A look of the clock tower from
live house MODS' entrance approach.







Shops along the seawall has
beautiful wall paintings.

I'd love to go back there to do more shopping
next weekend!

Special program at Churaumi Aquarium

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide Yukari's weblog.

I escorted a group of 37 to the Okinawa
Churaumi Aquarium on Sunday.
It was hot; so on the way to the main entrance,
I walked through this mist spray--felt good!




Summer special program is currently on;
my recommendation is to see the largest tank of
Kuroshio from its top!

Through the end of September 2010,
no reservation/fee is required to go see the
whale sharks and manta rays from
the 4th floor level.

More information in English is available at:
Kuroshio Tank Exploring
Official URL
http://oki-churaumi.jp/en/program/aquarium.html





The IE island from the main entrance gate.

Okinawa has ORION beer!

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

Hearing buzzing of cicadas,
looking up at a bank of clouds in the summer sky,
and feeling very hot when strong late afternoon sun
slanting through the window--
these make anyone feel thirstier than usual;
it is hard to wait for a glass of ice cold ORION beer!





ORION is loved by Okinawans for it's locally made
in Nago city (northern part of Okinawa main island).
The company has daily factory tour (4 or 5 times a day).
The best part of the 20 min tour is
a free tasting of freshly brewed Orion beer!





Cheers!
Kanpai! (standard Japanese meaning Cheers)
Kari! (Okinawan diarect meaning Kanapi/Cheers).

Costa Classica July 6

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide Yukari's weblog.


Costa Classica came into Okinawa's Naha Port.




Naha City Tourism Office arranged a group of
performers at the pier to welcome guests.

Shi-shi Lion Dance.





Eisa drum dance.





The cruise ship docked one hour earlier than scheduled;
but the Japanese Immigration procedure took
unusually long yesterday.
The guests from Western Australia whom I guided
had to wait for 90min to disembark the ship....

After leaving the port, we visited Shuri Castle,
Bingata Fabric House Ryusen (near Shuri Castle),
Kokusai street, Heiwa street, Public Market,
Naha Harbor Diner Tree House restaurant for a
quick photo stop, and viewing Naminoue Shinto
Shrine on the way back to the port.


Mr. N.C's family group and Kari (myself) at the pier
after the shore excursion.
Thank you & Arigato !

Okinawa Hari Dragon Boat Race

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide Yukari's weblog.

"Hari" dragon boat race is Okinawa's summer
season tradion.

For "Hari" race, wooden dugout canoe
called "Sabani" are used. Each canoe takes
10-12 paddlers, one person at a helm and
one person with a handy size gong
to keep rhythm.

The Hari race I went to see last weekend
at a beach in Yomitan (central part of
Okinawa main island) was conducted with
three canoes at a time. This time trial race
is fun for the audience, too.

 

Hot'n Humid; later shower

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English
speaking tour guide Yukari's weblog.

Okinawa's rainy season's gone and we enjoy
hot sunny days; but it was VERY humid today.

With about 40 guests from all around the world,
I visited northern Okinawa island today.

Just about to say goodbye to the guests,
it started to rain; first I thought it was just
a sunshower but it got heavier and heavier.
The rain felt actually good.

(below: Japanese name "Hamayuu"
           English name "largest crinum")

Looks pretty in the rain!

Good Japanese!!

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide Yukari's weblog.

Okinawa enjoys the summer 2010!
The sound of cicada buzzing makes me feel even hotter!
--but I love summer the best!

Guests I guided in the past enjoyed taking some Japanese phrases back home.

Thank you. = "Arigato"
You're welcome. = "Do itash mashite"
                           (sounds like this)
                             "Dough-it-ash-mash-tea"

Hello. = "Kon ni chi wa (standard Japanese)"
            "Hai Sai (Okinawan dialect)"

Great! = "Sugoi"
             (sounds like this)
                "sue-go-ee"

///

I'm flattered to hear my guests say,
Yukari, your English is SUGOI.


(below:
 with my Canadian life partner
 and my personal English teacher!!)

Island of the Gods @ Kudaka Island

Welcome to Yukari's Okinawa Tour Guide weblog.

Having lived in Okinawa for almost 20years,
I visited quite a number of sacred prayer spots.

The photo below was from Kudaka Island -
"Island of the Gods" Okinawan say -
and this is the only place I  FELT something
tremble deep inside me.







You'll take a ferry leaving from Chinen located
on the eastern coast of Okinawa main island.

Kudaka Island is fairy small; with the circumstance
of the island only 7km, many places of which are
considered very sacred and you cannot enter such
holy site without permission.

Kudaka is thought to be the place where
Okinawa's creator (in the Okinawan mythology)
was descended from the sky.





More INFO on Kudaka is found here:
http://www.okinawastory.jp/en/distination/south.html

Diamond Princess@Okinawa Naha

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English
speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

As shown in the following archive,
I attended a group from Diamond Princess
on March 24, 2010.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/marshcnet/archives/51534251.html


One of the guests sent me a very kind
comment on my performance; and I'd love to
share it here in my Guests Review.

Review -04
Diamond Princess, March 24, 2010.
Ms. B. B. (8 people from the US)

Hi Kari,

 

Thank you, Kari, for our excellent tour
March 24 of the Okinawa Peace Memorial
and fun time at Okinawa World.   

We so enjoyed your personal touch of
singing, jokes, and our souvenir maps,
postcards and your own origami birds. 

You are truly a professional with
excellent English and knowledge of all sites. 
We had a wonderful time! 

Your tour was one of the best we had
while visiting 8 ports on the Diamond Princess. 
Your beautiful smile and darling dimples
just add to your beauty!

Thank you again.

twittering

Yukari Marsh is now on Twitter.
Please follow me.

http://twitter.com/YukariMarsh

Nautica @Okinawa Naha

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English
speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.
Being a national licensed tour guide in Okinawa
for 5 years, I have encountered many wonderful
guests from different places of the world.

I attended a couple from NY aboard Nautica.
They kindly sent me a comment on our day
in Okinawa Naha.
We had been in touch with each other
for a year to this day; and I am glad to hear
they enjoyed the arrangement I made for them.




Review-03
Nautica, April 5th 2010
Mr. and Mrs. G (New York)

Dear Yukari,

We just want to thank you again for an amazing wonderful tour of Okinawa..
Our pictures came out great 
but what you gave us was a full 
day of memories..
Thankyou again for making our day extra special

best regards


The photo below was at the Naha Port after the tour.
(my eyes are closed.....)




The photo below is at Naminoue Shinto Shrine.

Orchid @Tropical Dream Center Okinawa

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

I had a chance to visit Tropical Dream Center
Okinawa, located in Motobu Town in the northern
part of Okinawa main island.

http://oki-park.jp/tropical/index.htm

http://oki-park.jp/en/index.html




Thousands of gorgeous and elegant orchid flowers
welcomed us.

Okinawa Tour Guide visits downunder

Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide, Yukari Marsh, took a week long vacation
and visited Australia.

Going back to downunder was the first time
in 23 years!!!

So many new hotels and shops,
but yet so many familiar sites were still there.

I personally have a LOT of good memories,
and this vacation was really wonderful just to
see all the places I used to know well.

I am back in the office now;
ready to be a tour guide again--
the first tour is tomorrow with Diamond Princess
cruise ship passengers.




Surfer's Paradise QLD





The Opera House, SYD, NSW.

Diamond Princess Mar.24@Okinawa

Diamond Princess is here again!
So big!
Too big to dock in the Naha's new pier.
The Princess docked on time at noon at Naha Shinko Wharf.

Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide,
Yukari Marsh, had a chance to guide eight people
from the U.S.
We visited Peace Memorial Park and the Cornerstone
of Peace, which are both in Itoman city - 50 min drive
from the wharf.
Then we went to Okinawa World Entertainment Cave Park.

Today's guest found me on the cruise critic dot com site.
I am glad to hear that the good review
on my guiding performance is found on that site.

Arigato (thank you).





Today's Naha New Wharf:(below)
Information Tent-Volunteer English speaking staff
is available for individual travelers to collect any
information in Naha city.
Non-reserved taxis are also available and
if you need assistance, the staff will help you there.

Ocean Princess Mar. 22

Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide,
Yukari Marsh, welcomed a group of 8 people
from Australia, Canada and the U.S. aboard
Ocean Princess.

Everyone walked a lot while enjoying the
warm sunny day in Okinawa.

The photo below was taken at the Naha's new
pier just after the 5-hour tour.
Four guests decided to spend more time on
Kokusai Street, that's why they are not in the photo.

Thank you and Arigato.

Silver accessories craftshop MATAYOSHI

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide- YUKARI's weblog.

I attended a 3-day group tour late last month;
taking the group around Okinawa main island.

One of the places we visited includes
Silver Accessories Craftshop MATAYOSHI
in Naha city.

Bingata textile dying, Kasuri weaving, pottery
and glassworks are very well known
as Okinawa's craftworks.

The silver accessories skill was also developed
during the Ryukyu Kingdom era
(Okinawa was once an independent nation
called Ryukyu); and the silver works
that Mr. Matayoshi creates are very beautifull.




The one above is called "Fusa Yubiwa" or
tasseled ring - a wedding ring for high-ranked women
in the Ryukyu Kingdom era.

There are 7 pieces of charm attached to a ring,
and every piece has a meaning to it:

*Fish--enough food for living
*Fan--spreading wealth and prosperity
*Flower--rich and colorful life
*Pegeon--Peace
*Butterfly--blessing and protection until next life
*Lamp--love of the family and ancestors
*Leaf--warm clothes (in Okinawa a texitle is woven
by using Japanese banana tree bark, called Bashofu)




Mr. Matayoshi at work.




Ornamental hairpin





Craftman  Mr. Matayoshi

Fresh in season!!

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly
English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

Okinawa was hit by the earthquake
at 5:30am on Feb 27 (SAT).
The magnitude was 6.8, and the intensity
of the earthquake was 5 (lower) on the Japanese
scale of 1~8.
Okinawa had never been hit by a large scale
earthquake for 99 years until then.
Fortunately, there were no major damages
caused by this quake.

I received a couple of e-mails from the guests
whom I guided previously. Thank you for your
concern. I am OK, and Okinawa is OK.

///

Okinawa's longevity is famous worldwide,
and I tell my guests the keys to long life.

One is to eat well.
Okinawa enjoys various fruits all year around.


This is Tankan Orange.
Color is a bit off, but very very juicy and sweet.




Pineapples...






Star fruits




These photos were taken at the local farmers' market
in Nago city - located in the northern part of the
Okinawa main island.

Guests Review -02

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide, Yukari's weblog.

My previous guests from Canada kindly sent me
a review on my guiding performance.

Thank you P.H.-san for your comment.


Review-02
Ocean Princess Jan. 17. 2010.
P.H. (from Canada)


Just wanted to let you know we really enjoyed our tour. thanks for helping give my group a
wonderful holiday!
If you ever want a very positive review just let me know!

Feel free to use my response on your weblog!

 

I arranged a private tour of Okinawa for myself and 3 friends that were travelling together and
arrived via cruise ship. We had only one day in the city and had spent some time
researching guides and other options.

I was so glad when I found Yukari Marsh.!

She was prompt in her email responses
and put us immediately at ease. When our ship docked she met us at the terminal with
a great van
and driver. We saw the sights of Okinawa
and the girls even got in some pottery shopping!
She even sang for us!

We definately felt we were very well treated
and looked after.
I would strongly recommend Yukari for anyone
looking for a guided trip in Okinawa.

Guests Review -01

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide, Yukari's weblog.
This is a new category in my blog
under "Guests' Review".

I have been saving a lot of comments from
my previous tours; I would like to share them
here so that these comments may help YOU think
my performance as an OKINAWA English
speaking tour guide.


Review-01
Ocean Princess Jan. 21. 2010.
B.M. (from the U.K.)

Dear Yukari,

Thank you for looking after our party of 9 in Okinawa on 21st January. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with you, learning about the local customs and a few words of Japanese! You obviously have an amazing knowledge of many interesting things and we wished we could have spent more time with you. Your song was wonderful and will make a nice background track for my video. We are all members of a choir so if you want to join us you would be very welcome!

 

We have recommended you to ToursbyLocals and I believe they have been in touch with you.

 

Please find a few photographs which you can use for your own publicity if you want.

Also if you would like me to write a few words for you to use on your website etc then let me know and I would be pleased to help.

Thanks again.

Below is a photo sent from Mr. B. M.
Yukari at the Public Market in Naha city, Okinawa.
--B.M-san, Domo Arigato (thank you)