November, 2007
Guide: Kyoko Minami
Route: Meiji Shrine – Asakusa – Hama Rikyu Garden – Ginza – Kabuki Theater
Hi!
We’re Karin (Kiki) and Marty Levine, from the Los Angeles area of California.
We’d like to compliment you on your marvelous organization, having had the pleasure of a first-hand experience with Kyoko Minami, one of your volunteer guides, recently.
We spent the entire day with Kyoko on Friday, November 16, 2007, and feel that our time with her was the highlight of our Tokyo stay, as well as being one of the best days of our two and a half week stay in Japan.
Kyoko met us at our hotel as planned, and within minutes we felt that we were with an old friend. We had corresponded with her prior to our trip,and had expressed our interest in certain areas and sites in Tokyo. She had agreed, and we set off for a day that will live in our memories forever.
We visited the Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, took the Sumida River cruise from Asakusa to Hama Rikyu Garden, and then explored Ginza, where Kyoko showed us the Kibuki Theater and introduced us to the wonders of the Mitsukoshi Department Store, as well as showing us Chuo Dori, which was beautifully decorated for Christmas.
We sampled Japanese food that we’d heard of: okonomiyaki and yaki soba, and enjoyed tea and a little “mutual gift exchange” at Kuremuri Tea Salon in Ginza.
Throughout the day, Kyoko was enthusiastic, helpful, professional and friendly. Her English is excellent, so we were able to ask lots of questions,exchange ideas and honestly, laugh a lot. Her knowledge of the city is outstanding,which, of course, contributed to the success of the day.
Kyoko is an outstanding guide, and a wonderful person. She made a very positive impression on us, and we can’t help but smile when we speak of her. She is,as we say here, “just the greatest.”
Since our return, we’ve corresponded several times, and hope to keep in touch with her.
Thank you so much for arranging our meeting.
Sincerely,
Karin (Kiki) and Marty Levine
