As we’ve mentioned before in our series of “Meet the Lokafyer”, explaining what Lokafy is about means taking a closer look at the network of great Lokafyers that have embarked in the adventure of showing travelers the unique and hidden treasures of their cities. From understanding what travelers are specifically interested in, designing customized itineraries that live up to their expectations and putting their skills and knowledge at service, these extraordinary individuals can be thought of as the ambassadors of Lokafy.
Some Lokafyers arrived at their cities as tourists in the past, and this is the case of Vicente Soto, originally from Chile and now living in Osaka. Vicente knows how it feels to visit Japan with a limited window of time, with the desire to walk down every alley and visit every single highlight.
To continue with our series and in order to understand the different ways Lokafyers have experienced being part of Lokafy, we had a brief exchange with Vicente to learn about what it has been like giving tours so far and to witness his unique perspective on this dynamic, ever-flowing Japanese gem:
How did you discover Lokafy and what made you want to become a Lokafyer?
The first time I got the chance to explore Japan, I went on a journey starting from Osaka, my actual home, and headed all the way up north until Sendai.
And yes, Tokyo was definitely one of my pit stops.
So, during one of those nights in the capital, we were all set to celebrate a friend's birthday, an actual local from Saitama.
Now, for those who know me – I'm always the enthusiastic one, ready to dive into things headfirst.
Naturally, I took it upon myself to scout out potential venues on the internet for this much-anticipated bash.
During my search, guess what caught my eye? A Chilean restaurant. In Tokyo. Quite the unexpected find, right?
Well, funny enough, we eventually settled on this very place for the big celebration.
Turns out, the joint was owned and run by the owner himself – a fellow Lokafyer, as I would later discover whilst having a drink together.
In fact, he even shared with me that he occasionally played the role of a guide for folks exploring Tokyo. Now, isn't that something?
Of course, I made sure to write down the company's name. It piqued my interest enough that I decided to carry it all the way back with me to Osaka. Who knows, maybe I'd give Lokafying a shot myself one day.
So I did.
What are some of the tips or advice that you would give to someone who wants to travel like a local?
Research, research, research – that's the name of the game.
Create a game plan.
Time is a precious commodity, especially when you're on the go. You definitely don't want to waste your moments hunting for Wi-Fi in coffee joints just to figure out where you're headed.
Get things sorted beforehand; the effort you put in will absolutely pay dividends. I've witnessed this scenario play out countless times. I've been there myself – the awful scenario of interrupting your plans just to scramble for a signal, desperately seeking directions all because of a lack of preparation.
Oh, and here's a golden rule: stash some cash in your pocket. It's a win-win; not only do you make life easier for the locals, but you also save yourself hassle. This is particularly true in Japan, where the contrast between cashless and good old cash payments is a thing. Believe me, most folks prefer paper notes and coins.
When you’re not doing tours, what do you like doing?
I like to walk, let myself wander and I’m led by anything that catches my attention. I enter shops, look around, and take the back exit. I’m also learning Japanese, so although I’m a bit shy, I usually engage in conversations with locals.
Personally, I like music, so sometimes I go into shops that have music, and that usually drives me. I go into guitar shops and sometimes chat with whoever is around.
I like taking my computer and sitting in local cafes to work on material I write for myself. So, when I’m free, I’m usually exploring guitar shops, libraries and cafes, staying active mostly.
How would you define Osaka?
Osaka is a modern city, comparable to Sydney or Melbourne. Once you walk on the streets, you see similar buildings and modern architecture, but the upside of this city is that it’s clean, there’s no dirt, it’s quiet, and people are respectful. One of the first impressions I got was that, apparently, everyone is Japanese, Osaka is not as multicultural as other western world cities. It’s the second largest city in Japan, which could sound like the description of a crazy atmosphere, but it’s actually not. It’s crowded but it’s organized. Once you immerse yourself in the daily local life, you realize that everything here works like clockwork, scheduled and on time. There aren’t crowds of people stuck at corridors or stations, everything is constantly flowing, and that makes Osaka a dynamic city.
For tourists, as I once was, everything becomes stimulant: the flow is constant.
So, if you combine all that hustle of a proper Japanese city with 20 million people, all the modern stuff, and all the ancient stuff, Izakayas (which are the typical Japanese bars), it makes a really interesting mix of different timelines coexisting in the same universe that is Osaka. This diverse mixture can also be observed in the people found walking down the streets: you can see a new generation that’s breaking out from the classic Japanese standard (elegant and tidy outfits with established gender roles), and the young people with colored hair and extravagant looks, which may be normal in other countries, but it’s not so common over here.
You were a tourist before… How can a Lokafy tour enrich travelers’ experiences?
I came here as a tourist, so I can relate to the travelers. In my experience, I had the opportunity to be taken to local places by my wife, who is Japanese. These places were usually not that accessible for visitors, disregarded by traditional tours and online guides. All these spots are intertwined with my growing love for Osaka.
I know I can take travelers to places they wouldn’t know otherwise. This is what happened on my earliest tour, I told the couple I was showing around: ‘Do you want to try something you’ve never tried before?’
And I took them to a small Izakaya. I had them try local beer with snacks and other typical treats for a fairly low cost. I’m guessing these kinds of experiences can’t be found in a traditional tour, and the places where I can take the travelers are usually not found in Google either. For example, I can take them to a small corridor with a tiny Izakaya, and we can sit down and chat. This spontaneous factor that emerges during Lokafy experiences is what makes every tour unique, as it also enables me to re-discover the city where I live.
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