Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Shinjuku-sanchome — Guide Masa

Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Harajuku, and Shibuya

The guests were a group of friends visiting Japan from Oceania on a holiday trip. It was their first visit to Japan for everyone in the group. Their stay in Japan was planned for about two weeks. After arriving at Narita Airport, they went to Hakone on the same day, then traveled around Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka before returning to Tokyo. After three days in Tokyo, they planned to visit Korea, spend three days there, and then return home. They also mentioned that they would be going to Disneyland the next day. All of them said they love shopping.

It was drizzling just after we set off, but the sky cleared afterward, and the tour took place under beautiful sunny weather.

First, we went to Asakusa.

We walked from Kaminarimon through the Nakamise shopping street to the main hall. The guests were surprised by the huge crowds. I explained about "the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo," "the five-story pagoda," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto."

There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?"

One of the guests collects goshuin (temple stamps), so we visited Yogodo Hall. They also purchased many souvenirs along the Nakamise shopping street.

We moved to the Imperial Palace.

I explained about "the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "the current challenges facing the imperial family." There were also questions such as "Does the Emperor really live inside here?" and "Does the Emperor hold any political power?"

We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I also explained about "Emperor Meiji."

The guests remarked, "It's wonderful that there is such a green space in the middle of the city."

We took a short break at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu.

On Takeshita Street as well, they purchased many small items as souvenirs.

We moved to Shibuya. They experienced the Scramble Crossing and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

There was also a question: "Why are there so many people here? Are they mostly Japanese, or are they mostly tourists?"

The guests also commented, "Among Japanese foods, takoyaki and okonomiyaki left the strongest impression," "Japanese people are all so polite," "The city is so clean, with no litter on the ground," "There are no trash cans in the city," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant to use."

I saw the guests off at Shinjuku-sanchome 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.