Tokyo in One Day: Daikoku Pier & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See in Tokyo During a Cruise Ship Stopover in Yokohama? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. This visit was part of a round-trip cruise between Asia and Yokohama, and the goal was to enjoy Tokyo sightseeing while the cruise ship was docked at Yokohama Port. They had arrived after a series of flights and boarded the cruise ship, then reached Yokohama Port after calling at Kobe Port and Osaka Port. Their request was: "Within the limited time, we would like to visit as many notable spots as possible." It was a sunny day, warm enough to feel hot during the tour.

First, we went to Tokyo Station, then walked to the Imperial Palace. We started with the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and took a stroll there. A few early-blooming cherry trees were in bloom, and we took commemorative photos in front of them. I explained topics such as "from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "an overview of the current Imperial family." The guests remarked, "The pine trees are beautiful," and asked questions such as "Does the Emperor really live in here?" and "Does the Emperor hold any political power?" We also took commemorative photos in front of the Nijubashi Bridge.

We then moved to Asakusa. I explained "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." The guests asked questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?" and "What kind of teaching is Shinto?" Both Nakamise Shopping Street and Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street were as crowded as ever. They purchased three pairs of "tabi" socks as souvenirs.

The guests requested, "We would definitely like to experience conveyor-belt sushi at least once," so we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. They mainly tried tuna, salmon, and squid. They said, "It was a novel experience. It will make a good story to share back home." They also mentioned, "There is only one Japanese restaurant back home, but it does not serve sushi."

We then moved to Shibuya, where I explained "the history of Shibuya." We walked across the Scramble Square area and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue. The guests said, "We would like to see a Japanese supermarket," so we visited a food hall. They commented, "All Japanese people are polite," "There is no litter on the streets," "Japanese public restrooms are clean and pleasant," and "The railways back home are often delayed, and the service is not good."

I saw them off at Yokohama's Sakuragicho 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.