Tipping volunteer guides at Edo Tokyo M?

Hello,

my family reserved a volunteer guide at the Edo Tokyo museum. On the website I learned that these guides are completely free. We appreciate it very much that people volunteer as guides to walk tourists through the exhibition. Since tipping seems to be a delicate matter in Japan, I was wondering what would be appropriate to show our appreciation (money, or maybe an omiyage from abroad)?

Are the guides foreigners or Japanese, or is it mixed? (I suppose it's easier to tip a (western) foreigner. :P)

Hi,
Maybe there are the aged Japanese guides.

Although saying "Thank you so much" is enough,
if you strongly want to give something, omiyage from abroad is good.
To show your appreciation, good omiyage is not expensive and not bulky.
BTW, giving money may be considered as insolence in Japan.

You could invite the guide for coffee and a snack or meal

Seeing people show interest can be the most rewarding thing for volunteer guides in museums.

Respond to explanations. Ask questions. Mostly, have fun! Those responses would make them most happy.

I suppose you can give them small gifts from home. Some might have a collection of those on their mantel.

I'm not so sure about inviting them for coffee, though. They can be busier than you'd think, and I'm sure you are too. But it can be a nice gesture.

Of course, if you're talking about guides that guide you around town, a coffee break would be nice, but this is about people who stay in a museum.

Tips will offend most volunteers and offer of coffee/meal is too imposing. Just thank her/him sincerely.

I would agree that asking them out to coffee would be an imposition, and they'd have to think of some way to politely decline. And obviously don't try to give them money - that would be extremely rude.