{"id":22045,"date":"2019-02-25T10:47:56","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T02:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/server1.webstudio.com.sg\/~staging\/ypsg\/?p=22045"},"modified":"2019-03-08T14:15:01","modified_gmt":"2019-03-08T06:15:01","slug":"how-much-do-you-know-about-airbnb-experiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/server1.webstudio.com.sg\/~staging\/ypsg\/how-much-do-you-know-about-airbnb-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Do You Know About Airbnb Experiences?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently returned from a month-long trip to Japan, and as a solo traveler, I had to actively seek ways to entertain myself. Nearly half of my time was spent in Tokyo, which seemed like a bad decision having been there one too many times. I thought I had seen it all.<\/p>\n

But I was wrong, and gladly so. Sometimes in life you make grand discoveries, and for me, Airbnb Experiences was one of them.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve participated in many of these Airbnb Experiences, from exciting mountain-climbing adventures to leisurely food tours. Personally, the greatest fulfilment stemmed from the opportunity to forge lasting friendships, with both the hosts and the guests. There’s an uncanny bond about sharing an experience with a diverse group of people from all around the world.<\/p>\n

Given that this platform is fairly new and has largely flown under the radar for many Singaporeans, I have taken this opportunity to provide insight into 3 of my favorite tours that I\u2019ve participated in, and hopefully, encourage you to go out there and do the same.<\/p>\n

Tokyo Kawaii Tour<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Among all the things that Japan is renowned for, anime and cute things are near the top of that list. When you hear something pertaining to \u2018anime culture\u2019, the first place that comes to mind is Akihabara – Tokyo\u2019s popular electric town dedicated to all-things anime.<\/p>\n

But what about \u2018kawaii culture\u2019? That\u2019s not something you\u2019d hear very often. I had initially thought, why not switch it up a little? It turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.<\/p>\n

My tour guide-turned-friend Mayno, was born and raised in Tokyo. Up till that point, I had traversed the streets of Harajuku at least four times, but I never discovered any of the little gems that she brought us to \u2013 shops that scream \u2018KAWAII\u2019, tucked away in the tiny corners of the back alleys.<\/p>\n

We were completely enthralled by every shop we encountered. I couldn\u2019t count the number of times someone exclaimed \u201cI didn\u2019t know this was here!\u201d Harajuku is extremely popular among the local youths, but I had always wondered why, considering it seemed more like an over-congested tourist trap than anything else.<\/p>\n

After the tour, I finally understood.<\/p>\n

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I asked Mayno about what prompted her to start such an experience. \u201cA lot of tourists come to Harajuku but they don\u2019t really know what it\u2019s about. They don’t know the local culture that is embodied within it. I\u2019m a girl who loves kawaii things, so I\u2019d like to share this with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople usually go back to the shops I take them to after the tour, and they\u2019ll text me a thank you message for introducing these shops to them.”<\/p>\n

I told her I would feature her in this article to encourage more Singaporeans to join. Here’s what she had to say: “If you come to my tour from reading this article, I will give you a discount or a present.”<\/p>\n

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Follow Mayno on Instagram: @maynomccartney<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

When I first joined Mayno’s tour back in September 2018, I was only her 14th<\/sup> guest. Now, she\u2019s had more than 300 guests and over a hundred outstanding reviews on Airbnb. She conducts the tour several times a day over the span of a week \u2013 even on public holidays.<\/p>\n

“The itinerary changes everyday, because there are many shops. So it’s always interesting,” she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t get bored doing this, because I love meeting new people from all over the world. I get to practice speaking English as well, because Japanese people don\u2019t really have the chance to speak English. My guests always tell me interesting things about their countries, and I learn a lot from my interactions with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

And the one thing she always enjoys?<\/p>\n

“I love making people smile.”<\/p>\n

Mountain-climbing With An Expert Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Source<\/em><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s almost blasphemy to put the words \u2018Tokyo\u2019 and \u2018Nature\u2019 in the same sentence. The capital of Japan is known for its towering skyscrapers, busy street crossings, and overcrowded train stations.<\/p>\n

Sick of the noisy city vibes and cramped spaces, I decided I needed a day trip out of the city to unwind. It was time I explored the beautiful nature that Japan has to offer.<\/p>\n

Along with two other guests from Australia and Hong Kong, the four of us embarked on an eight-hour trip to Mount Takao guided by Eiji, which included visiting a fascinating nature museum and the actual ascend of the mountain.<\/p>\n

You can tell Eiji is a diehard nature-buff. He could explain every minor detail of Japanese ecology \u2013 from the migration periods of the birds to the intricate history behind specific trees.<\/p>\n

It certainly didn\u2019t feel like a standard, formal tour, but rather an outing with a friend excited to share his passion and country with you. Even if you aren\u2019t so much a nature enthusiast yourself, Eiji will be sure to turn you into one for a day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have knowledge of Japanese animals, plants, culture, history and more, so the tour is not only for hiking, but for guests to also understand more about Japanese nature and culture through my explanations. That\u2019s the most distinctive point of my tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flora and fauna aren\u2019t the only things to talk about. Over the course of the hike, we would engage in cultural exchange and share about our respective countries, at times debating \u2013 and appreciating \u2013 our cultural differences.<\/p>\n

Trust me, it is no easy feat to hike a mountain in winter. At the end of an exhausting but enriching climb, nature rewarded us with a gorgeous sunset.<\/p>\n

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Eiji took the road less traveled during our descent, and treated our group to flowing river streams and prolific all-around greenery. There was a complete absence of man-made signs and no other noise except that of our feet trampling against the leaves.<\/p>\n

When I asked him what guests enjoy the most about his tour, he said, \u201cMy Experience is a full-day tour, so we can all become friends after talking a lot throughout the tour. That\u2019s the main reason many guests gave me good reviews.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a guest, I agree. If I were to do the hike myself, I would complete it in a few hours and call it a day, without any significant takeaways other than a couple of scenic pictures and tired legs.<\/p>\n

Eiji also kindly shared with me some of his unique encounters with guests.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery encounter is precious to me, but if I had to choose one, it would be this guy from the small island of Tahiti in the Pacific Ocean. He was extremely excited to talk about his country and showed me a lot of pictures.\u201d<\/p>\n

3 levels of Tokyo Nightlife<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Sometimes you need a breath of fresh air – new\u00a0perspectives. What better way to gain new perspectives than to join a tour hosted by a non-local with local knowledge?<\/p>\n

When I first met Solomon, who calls himself a \u201cprofessional party pep\u201d, I asked him for a quick introduction to the Tokyo night scene. I received an instantaneous reply from him, in which he recommended a list of the best places to go to. That\u2019s when I knew I had to book his Experience.<\/p>\n

The first of three levels starts off with a sumptuous, communal dinner that includes a variety of local Japanese dishes and a couple of drinks.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, Solomon will take the group bar-hopping around Shibuya, and the final level of this experience brings you to a nightclub, for you to dance and party the night away. His tour officially ends at midnight \u2013 just in time for you to catch the last train.<\/p>\n

Having lived in Japan for more than 3 years, I asked him how he came to know about Airbnb Experiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been searching for a job that I would enjoy. I love meeting new people, and well, drinking. One day, while booking an apartment, I saw that Airbnb was looking for Experience hosts and that\u2019s when I decided to start one. I haven\u2019t looked back since.\u201d<\/p>\n

Solomon hosts the same nightlife experience two to three times a week, and that amount of partying could be enough to drain the life out of anybody. When I asked what keeps him going, he cited his guests as the main reason \u2013 like all the other hosts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s actually quite beautiful to bring a group of strangers together and see them bond,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been doing this for over a year and my first few guests still text me every now and then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t