Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Station & Nihon-odori Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Short Private Tokyo Tour Between Cruise Stops? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group of four visiting Japan for the first time. Their nationality and origin were in Europe, but they now live in Oceania and are enjoying life after retirement. Their requests were: "Please let us walk slowly," "Please use elevators and escalators rather than stairs as much as possible," and "We don't need lunch, but please include several rest breaks along the way."

Two weeks earlier, they had arrived at Haneda Airport. After one night in Tokyo, they boarded a cruise ship from the Port of Yokohama for a cruise around Japan. This morning, the ship called at the Port of Yokohama at 05:00. Today, they plan to board the same cruise ship, scheduled to depart at 16:30, for another route around Japan. This tour came from their request to sightsee in Tokyo during this window. They wished to "experience the atmosphere of Tokyo in a short time." They also mentioned that every year the same group enjoys an overseas cruise trip together.

It was a tour in the midst of extreme heat.

First, we went from the nearest Nihon-odori Station via Yokohama Station to Tokyo Station.

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were crowded despite the heat. I explained "Japanese history and the imperial family." There were questions such as "When was it built as a castle?", "Why did Edo Castle become the Imperial Palace?", and "What was the Meiji Restoration?" There were also questions such as "Does the Emperor live inside here?", "Can we not meet the Emperor?", "What is the relationship between the Emperor and the Prime Minister?", and "Who will become the next Emperor?"

We took a break at a Starbucks cafe near Wadakura Fountain Park.

After this, we moved to Shinjuku. First, we went up to the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Unfortunately, we could not see Mount Fuji, but it was well received, with comments that "we could get a good sense of what Tokyo is like." They spotted Meiji Shrine and asked, "Why is there such a vast forest in the middle of the city center?"

After this, we returned to Shinjuku Station and leisurely strolled through Omoide Yokocho and Kabukicho. The comment was that "the atmosphere is different from other places."

After that, we moved to Shibuya, crossed the scramble crossing, and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There was a question, "Why are there so many people and so much congestion?" Here too, we took a break at a Starbucks cafe inside Mark City.

Comments included: "Japanese people all seem kind and considerate of others." "The whole city is clean. There is no litter on the ground." "Why can't we find trash cans around the city?" "The subway is quiet, with no one making noise." "The public toilets are clean and pleasant."

I saw them off at Nihon-odori Station, put them in a taxi to Osanbashi Pier, and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Masa

Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.