Guide (Tour Guide)
あんないにん（がいど）
Industry & Occupation
Classification
- Major : Service Occupations
- Middle : Other Service Occupations
- Minor : Tour Conductors and Tour Guides
Summary
A profession that explains and guides tourists on the history, culture, and landmarks of travel destinations.
Description
Tour guides (guides) guide tourists and visitors while explaining the history, culture, nature, famous sites, and historic landmarks of their travel destinations. They plan tours, set routes, arrange transportation and accommodations, handle on-site explanations and Q&A, safety management, and emergency responses. Foreign language guides require a licensed tour guide qualification, and multilingual services may be needed.
Future Outlook
Demand for guides is expected to increase with rising inbound tourism. However, the spread of audio guide apps will require differentiation through expertise and service quality.
Personality Traits
Able to respond flexibly / Cheerful personality / Curious and inquisitive / Patient / Sociable
Work Style
Flexitime / Freelance / Full-time / Seasonal / Shift work
Career Path
Assistant Guide → Guide → Senior Guide → Chief Guide → Tour Manager
Required Skills
Communication skills / Foreign language proficiency / Geography and map reading / Safety management / Tourist site knowledge (history and culture)
Recommended Skills
Presentation skills / Reservation management system operation (GDS) / SNS marketing / Tour planning and operations
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Adaptability | To flexibly respond to changes in weather or participant conditions. |
| Communication Skills | Essential for clearly communicating information to visitors. |
| Learning Agility & Knowledge Acquisition | To continuously learn diverse knowledge such as history and culture. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Required to continue guiding long hours of walking and movement. |
| Planning & Organization | Required for planning tour itineraries and schedules. |
| Problem Solving | Needed to quickly respond to sudden issues or requests. |
| Stress Tolerance | To endure the pressure of managing large groups and sticking to schedule. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | Complex mathematical analysis is not required. |
Related Qualifications
- Licensed Tour Guide
- Ordinary Motor Vehicle Driver's License
- Tourism English Proficiency Test
Aliases
- Sightseeing Guide
- Tour Guide
- Tourist Guide
Related Jobs
- Licensed Tour Guide
- Tour Conductor
- Tour Escort