Tokyo in Half a Day: Departure: Tochomae & Shinjuku — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like from Harajuku to Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan from Oceania. It was their first visit to Japan. This morning they arrived at Yokohama Port by cruise ship (departing from Oceania and calling at several ports en route), then took a taxi to their hotel. They would be staying in Tokyo for only a short time before returning home from Narita Airport. Today, one of the guests was unwell, so the tour was carried out with the rest of the group. It did not rain, but the tour took place in slightly chilly weather.

First, we headed to Harajuku and Meiji Shrine. We took a commemorative photo in front of the large torii gate. I explained topics such as "what Shinto is," "the differences between Buddhism and Shinto," "the history of Edo and the Meiji Restoration," "about Emperor Meiji," and "about the Japanese Imperial Family." The guests remarked, "It's wonderful that there is such a green park in the middle of the city." We came across a wedding procession and took photos.

We then moved to Takeshita Street and Cat Street and strolled at a leisurely pace. The guests eagerly photographed a "dog cafe" and a "pig cafe," saying, "The younger members of our family love animals, so we would love to bring them here next time." On Cat Street, they said, "I'm interested in second-hand clothing, and this was very helpful."

After this, we moved to Shibuya, where they experienced the scramble crossing and took photos. We also took a commemorative photo in front of the Hachiko statue. As one of the guests is a big fan of Japanese anime, we visited Shibuya Parco. Both the Pokemon Center and the Nintendo Store were very crowded. They purchased a large amount of Pokemon goods and other items as souvenirs.

After this, we went to Marugame Seimen for lunch (they requested a light menu, saying they were not very hungry). They commented, "Japanese people are all so polite," "The streets are clean and there is no litter scattered around," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant."

They said, "We are worried about the other member of our group, so we would like to return to the hotel early," so I saw them off at Shinjuku Station, and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local 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.