Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Station & Harajuku Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Architecture-Focused Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were friends visiting Japan from Europe. They had come to Japan several times before, though this was their first visit to central Tokyo. This trip was a two-week visit to Japan. They had arrived at Narita Airport two days earlier and carried out some work in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, before arriving in Tokyo around midday. From the following day, they planned to drive a rental car through Nagano, Hida Takayama, and Kanazawa to Kyoto, then return to Tokyo by Shinkansen before flying home.

Their wish was to "see notable examples of Japanese architecture." We took several breaks during the tour.

First, we visited the Noh stage inside the Cerulean Tower in Shibuya, where I explained the history and current state of Noh. One of the guests remarked, "This is my first time seeing a Noh stage, and the wood-and-wall architecture is wonderful," and asked, "Wasn't it originally set up outdoors?"

We then moved to Tokyo Station, where I explained the history of Edo/Tokyo and the history of Tokyo Station. We strolled around the Marunouchi south exit and inside the Station Hotel, and the guests were absorbed in taking photographs everywhere, commenting that it resembled the station building in their home region.

After that, we walked from Gyoko-dori Avenue to the Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace, then returned to Tokyo Station and took a break at a café inside the station.

From there, we moved to Sendagaya and walked around the National Stadium (unfortunately, we could not go inside).

We then went to Harajuku and strolled along Omotesando. The guests seemed to like the Tokyu Plaza, so we went inside and photographed various spots. They said, "It's new architecture, with an interesting and wonderful design."

After that, we moved to Shibuya, and after taking in the Scramble Crossing, the guests wanted to eat yakitori, so we went to a yakitori restaurant in Shibuya. They enjoyed beer and a large amount of yakitori.

There were many questions about topics such as Japan-China relations and Japan-Korea relations. There were also comments and questions such as "The city is clean and there is no litter on the ground," and "Why are there so few EVs in Tokyo?"

I saw the guests off at Shinjuku Station, and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with 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.