If you are looking for a local to take you to the different attractions around Japan and provide some culture and history lessons, there are numerous organisations all over the country that offer these services to foreigners, free of charge.
These organisations are called Systematised Goodwill Guide (SGG) clubs. The members of these clubs welcome foreigners from different parts of the world, speak a wide array of international languages, and are knowledgeable enough to introduce the Japanese culture, traditions, way of life and history to anyone who is interested.
Tokyo SGG Club
Founded on 26 February 1983, and with 130 members, the Tokyo SGG Club offers tours in popular Tokyo tourist destinations such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Imperial Palace and Ueno. The volunteers are enthusiastic about imparting their knowledge of everything Japanese to visitors, and want people from other countries to see Japan as a fun, beautiful and safe place for everyone.
- Website: http://tokyosgg.jp/index_e.html
- Address: 2-18-9, Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0034 c/o Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre
- Tel: 03-6280-6710
©JNTO
Utsunomiya SGG Club
Located about an hour’s Shinkansen ride from Tokyo, the Utsunomiya SGG Club provides free guided tours in Tochigi Prefecture to sites in Nikko (Toshogu Shrine, 
, Kegon-na-taki Falls and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Mashiko Town and Utsunomiya City.
Kanagawa SGG Club
If you want to visit the sites and attractions in Kanagawa Prefecture, access the services of the Kanagawa SGG Club. Their free tour services include guided tours around Yokohama, Kamakura, Enoshima and Kawasaki.
- Website: http://www.ksgg.org/english-top/index.html
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ksgg.jp
- E-mail (general): ksgg_desk@yahoo.co.jp
- Email (guide group): ksgg_guide@yahoo.co.jp
Kanazawa Goodwill Guide Network
Formed in 1992, the Kanazawa Goodwill Guide Network (KGGN) is a Japan National Tourist Organisation affiliated volunteer group that promises educational and informative sightseeing tours of Kanazawa to foreign visitors of Japan. Their tours include visits to Kanazawa Castle Park, Kenrokuen Garden, Naga-machi Samurai District and Higashi Chaya District, just to name a few.
- Website: http://kggn.sakura.ne.jp/index_e.html
- Address: Kanazawa Hyakubangai, 1-1, Kinoshinbo-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-0858, Japan
- Tel: +81-076-232-3933
- Email (inquiries): kggn@po4.nsk.ne.jp
- Email (guide application): guide.committee@gmail.com
Reminders
- While the tour services are free of charge, the entrance fees, transportation costs and meal expenses of the guide need to be paid by you and your party.
- Send in your guided tour applications at least two weeks before your desired tour dates.
