The Kimono guy in front is, me, Ted Ueno, the Managing Director of WaRaiDo Guide Networks Co., Ltd. I recently made a business trip to the U.S.A. with the first destination being world-famous Las Vegas, the perfect location for Bond, James Bond 007 playing at the casino. Yeah, no matter where you go, you will not miss Roulette, Baccarat, and Black Jack machines and dealers, even at the hotel entrance. However, the only place I could find to escape from them was the Las Vegas Convention Center, the venue for Luxury Travel Expo 2009 which was held from December 1st through 3rd. Around 2500 agents and companies related to tourism from all over the world visited the world expo to introduce their best services for each destination. Japan was no exception with its own uniquely designed Japan booth prepared to promote Yokoso! Japan, or Visit Japan Campaign, targeting 10 million visitors in the year 2010, next year. Taking this golden opportunity, along with the world’s leading agents of other services, WaRaiDo Guide Networks was able to successfully secure a small space to introduce our quality guide service for welcoming those 10 million guests next year. Distributing hundreds of brochure packages and business cards and occasionally being filmed by TV stations, I could enjoy a valuable communication exchange with people from around the globe, almost forgetting about my task there.
WaRaiDo Guide Networks Co., Ltd. is situated in Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan with a history covering 1200 years, and from which remain 2000 shrines and temples in the city to this day. However, unlike ultra-luxurious destinations such as Las Vegas in the U.S., Kyoto’s enchantment is hard to grasp since it consists of such simple, profound and subtle nuances as Geisha tradition, Zen philosophy, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, seasonal festive events and so on, which could be overlooked without the right guide to tell guests what this city is really about. That is why our company has been established by yours truly, Ted Ueno, myself officially licensed as an English speaking guide by the government. Our guide service covers not only Kyoto but also Japan in its entirety, mobilizing our own “network” as well. We certainly hope to see you soon in Japan! Yokoso! Japan.
Last but not least, I don't like gambling personally...
