Eight students from Faculty of Tourism give an English guided tour at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

A student (second from the left) explaining about the main gate

A student (left) explaining the proper way to wash one's hands

On November 1st, 8 third grader students from the seminar of Associate Professor Shibasaki Sayuri of Faculty of Tourism conducted their first English-language guided tour at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (Narita City, Chiba Prefecture) with the cooperation of the local guide group, the Narita Volunteer Guide Association.

Our seminar involves fieldwork and is researching ways to attract inbound tourists, especially those from English-speaking countries, to Chiba Prefecture, and this English guide is part of that effort.

Although inbound tourism has declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists visiting Japan in 2023 is expected to recover to 25.06 million, about 80% of the number in 2019, and is returning to pre-COVID levels. On the other hand, overtourism, which reduces tourist satisfaction due to congestion, traffic jams, and inadequate reception environments in popular tourist destinations, is becoming an issue. English guides are an initiative that can convey the appeal of famous sites to foreigners in an easy-to-understand manner, leading to the attraction and dispersion of future tourists.

In preparation for this English guided tour, the students undertook advance study, such as a site reconnaissance, and then explored in the seminar how to provide a better guide. In July, they learned the secrets to conveying in English the history and worship etiquette of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, an ancient temple visited by over 10 million people a year, from members of the Narita Volunteer Guides Association. The students and Associate Professor Shibasaki came prepared with an original script for the guide on the day of the tour.

Students practicing with hand gestures in preparation for the actual guided tour

On the day, with the support of the Narita Volunteer Guide Association, they were divided into pairs and guided 17 groups in one day. They seemed nervous at first, but gradually they relaxed and answered questions in fluent English, explained the knowledge they had acquired beforehand in English, and guided smoothly.
The students who acted as guides said, "We were nervous, but the tourists spoke slowly and we were able to understand their English well. In the end, we had fun."
We plan to continue offering English guided tours at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

The students were friendly enough to take photos

Students reflecting on the experience with members of the Narita Volunteer Guide Association