A special interview which introduces the charm of Yokosuka through the people who work there,
and the feelings contained within.
A young man who first got involved with the ocean as a part time worker on the uninhabited island of Sarushima, he's now started fresh as a young "Yokosuka Military Port" guide.
It all started from that part time job on Sarushima
When I started university, I wanted to find a new part time job. Just when I was looking around, my upper classman who was involved with a Military Port Tour and Sarushima BBQ company asked me "Why don't you come work with me?". I started out working in a Sarushima BBQ shop as a staff member renting out equipment. During that time, the same company also offered me a chance to help with the Military Pourt Tours and while I was watching my seniors at work, I became attracted to the job.
I was born and raised here in Yokosuka, and similar to how people from Tokyo don't go out to see the Sky Tree, I don't really go to the beach or look at ships so often. Before I started this job, I'd never realized Yokosuka has such a large military port or was home to the Maritime Japanese Defense Force headquarters. By working with boats, I've had more opportunities to ride on them, and since I frequently look out at the Tokyo Bay I finally started to think "There are so many boats that come in to Yokosuka"... and "Those huge submarines were always here!?". I was met with all sorts of discoveries. Despite it being around me my whole life, the area was so full of the unknown.
Depending on the guide and the tourists, each Military Port Tour is different.
There isn't a script written out for the Military Port Tours, so the personality of each guide comes out in their tours. Some people know a lot about the boats, and some people just do the job out of love for Yokosuka. There are even guides who don't talk much about boats, but are second to none when it comes to Yokosuka history.
I have a strong curiosity, and I love to look things up. I regularly look up all sorts of information, ranging from facts about the battle ships to ways of combatting sea sickness. I use my knowledge in a way that matches the age of the tour group members as well as the situation. Recently Yokosuka is a famous spot for cruising, so I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to introduce a lot of famous spots in the area.
The rewards of the job
Military Port Tours always start with an introduction: "I'm your guide, Rikuto Ogawa. Thank you for coming today!". People are kind enough to clap for me, but since it's our first time meeting, they naturally feel quite distanced from me. However, when the tour ends and I say "Thank you so much for coming! Once again, I was your guide for today, Rikuto Ogawa!", everyone really claps.
That's really the best part. I get a feeling like, "I did it!". Even a small round of applause becomes much larger after a 45 minute cruise together. The difference between the beginning and end is the reward, where I really feel a sense of achievement.
My dreams as a tour guide are huge
My seniors at work often tell me "Your tour is so in-depth, it's almost annoying." But they also tell me "That's what makes you unique, that's your 'charm', so build on it as much as you can." I wonder if it feels like I'm trying too hard, like standing up on the tips of my toes to them... For me personally, I don't feel that way at all, but in ten years I'd like to be a guide who really comes across as used to the job, and who possesses their own unique charms.
My dream beyond that is to one day hear people saying "That's the Military Port Tour guy!" when they see me. I guess you could say I want to be known. I want to be the kind of guy where people say "You mean that guy, right?". You know those kinds of people right? Yokosuka Military Port Tours = Rikuto Ogawa! It'd be nice if I could become that kind of guide. I want to keep my dreams big.
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