Tokyo in One Day: Departure: Kyobashi & Hibiya — Guide Masa

What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Yanaka, the Imperial Palace, Akihabara, and Tokyo Tower

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Their stay in Japan was for a longer trip, with the main purpose being to attend a conference held in Nagoya. After the conference ended, they came to Tokyo this morning. During their stay in Nagoya, they enjoyed a day trip to Kyoto. They planned to stay one more day in Tokyo and then depart from Narita Airport. We were fortunate to have no rain and comfortable weather for the tour.

First, we went to the Yanaka area via Ueno Station. I explained the history of Tokyo and Japan. They commented, "Unlike other areas in the city, this is quiet, calm, and pleasant," and "I love this kind of shopping street."

We then moved to the Imperial Palace (the East Gardens close at 16:30). I explained "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?"

Next, we moved to Akihabara. I explained the characteristics of the electronics district. As souvenirs, the guests bought socks and character goods at a discount store.

From here, we moved to Tokyo Tower and took photos with the illuminated tower in the background. Regarding "Azabudai Hills," there were questions such as "What is inside?" and "How much is the rent?"

After this, we went to Zojoji Temple. It was after closing and the lights were dimmed, but we went inside and took photos with the main hall in the background.

Since they said, "We'd like to have dinner before returning to the hotel. Today we'd like to eat something other than Japanese food," we went to Hibiya Midtown. They commented, "There are no homeless people," "There's no trash on the streets, and no trash cans placed around," "For some reason, everyone is so polite," and "There are public restrooms everywhere, and they're all clean and pleasant."

They said, "We ate various Japanese dishes in Nagoya, but the grilled eel dish, hitsumabushi, left the strongest impression." They also mentioned, "Tomorrow I plan to go to a stationery store to buy a fountain pen as a souvenir."

I saw them off at Kyobashi Station, ending the tour.

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.