Hi all,
So many of you rave about the guides that you have had and I would love to contact one of them.
This my third trip to Japan will be very different for me as I will be traveling with a friend. I have seen many of the highlights in both cities, some I don't mind revisiting others I can easily skip. My thought was to perhaps see if we can get a welcome guide for my friend, which will eliminate some of the repetition for me.

The only guide I used while in Japan was one Goodwill guide, and I thought she was a delight: The Japanese National Tourism Organization coordinates free volunteer guides throughout Japan. These “Goodwill guides” – who are generally knowledgeable and happy to guide you in return for practicing their English – which can be excellent, but it is a bit of a luck-of-the-draw.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...deservice.html

You pay any entrance fees and his/her meal if your time with the guide includes one. Do NOT tip these guides, or anyone else in Japan.

Thank you kja,
Yes, I am aware of how to book a guide. I was hoping to avoid the luck of the draw as I did not have a good guide in Kanazawa, and was hoping for a personal recommendation.

The volunteer guides are hit or miss. We had one in Kyoto, and it was a disaster. He knew absolutely nothing, and he coerced me into taking him to the most expensive restaurant in Kyoto for lunch. Never again.

I would check with your hotels, wherever you are staying, and book a paid guide through them. Alternatively, Kathie, a frequent poster here, was quite happy with a lady she has used. You can search the posts here, or PM Kathie.

Sorry, CaliforniaLady, you must have confused me with someone else. We didn't use any guides in Japan. I did have a travel agent in Japan, and if I can contact her, she'd have a recommendation. But hired guides in Japan are pricey.

Kathie, I remember that it was you that spoke about a lady you liked, but I was mistaken in thinking that she was a guide, and not a travel agent. I believe others on this forum have contacted her as well. And you are correct, guides are more expensive in Japan than in other parts of Asia.

Nywoman, are you planning to have your friend go with the GwG, instead of you, to the places that would be repetitive to you?

Mrwunrfl that is my thinking at the moment, however I may change my mind.

Is your friend determined to see stuff that you would rather skip? Or vice versa. Or you are both usually solo travelers and want some solo exploring time. I mean this kindly: it sorta sounds like you are looking for a babysitter for your friend. You'll work it out together.