Volunteer guides

Ifve read recommendations for the evolunteer guidesf that are available in Tokyo and Kansai. As I will be visiting Osaka in late March I was wondering if anyone through experience knows the sensible time to arrange a guide? Ifm guessing that 10 weeks before is too early (I could never commit to something that far in advance!), but equally I donft want to leave it too late and not be able to find an available guide.

http://www.visitkansai.com/volunteer_guide/about.php

You might want to inquire through a site like the one above; obviously, how busy those people get depend on the season as well.

For Osaka, any particular reason why you want a guide? To me, since it is a city, it's an area you look around yourself, UNLESS you have particular interest in historical sites and having the background explained by a guide.

I felt convenient when I received the application from our guests a few weeks in advance when I was a goodwill guide in Tokyo.

AK, my reasons for wanting a guide are that Ifve only got the one full day in Osaka and I thought it might be good to have a guide for the day to help ensure that I make the most out of that time. Usually I like looking after myself but from past experience, some Japanese cities can be difficult to make the most of in a very short visit unless you really have planned well. Plus I like the idea of experiencing some interaction with a local person other than just shop or bar staff. And I can maybe practise a little of my little Japanese and they can maybe practise their English which is, I beleive, sometimes part of the volunteer guide's motivation.

V, If you appreciate a few weeks notice, I will probably leave it until 6 weeks before I travel to Osaka before applying.