Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa Station & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Tokyo Private One-Day Tour Report: What Can You See in a Day from Ueno with a Licensed Guide?

The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. It was their first visit to Japan. Two days earlier, they had arrived at Narita Airport via a connecting flight, then taken the Narita Express to Ueno Station.

The previous day, they had strolled around the Ueno area and enjoyed an izakaya tour in the evening.

This trip was an approximately two-week visit to Japan. They planned to stay in Tokyo for only three days, then travel around Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. After returning to Tokyo, they planned to head home.

They said, "We want to enjoy various kinds of Japanese food."

The tour took place under clear skies in pleasant weather.

They remarked, "It really is colder here than where we come from."

First, we headed to Asakusa.

We passed from Kaminarimon through the Nakamise shopping street to the main hall. It was extremely crowded.

I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and of Edo becoming Tokyo, what a five-story pagoda is, 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?"

After that, we went to the Ameyoko shopping street in Ueno.

Here too it was very crowded, and there were questions such as, "Why are there so many people?" and "Who comes here, and what do they buy?"

We took a break at a cafe inside Ueno Station.

From there, we moved on to Tokyo Tower.

I explained about Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. We were able to faintly see Mount Fuji.

They said, "Now I really understand that Tokyo is a vast, sprawling metropolis."

We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I explained about the Meiji Restoration, about Emperor Meiji, and why wine barrels are displayed there.

They said, "It's wonderful that there is such a green place in the heart of the city. It feels so refreshing."

After this, we moved to Shibuya, experienced the scramble crossing, and took photos. We also took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

Here as well, there were questions like, "Why are there so many people? Are they mostly Japanese, or are they travelers?"

There were also comments such as, "Japanese people are all so polite," "The streets are clean and there is no litter scattered around," "Why are there no trash cans?", "The subway is very well made, but it's hard to understand until you get used to it," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant."

I saw the guests off at Ueno Station, where 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.