Tokyo in One Day: Tochomae Station & Komagome Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, Harajuku, and Shibuya

[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guided a private one-day tour of Tokyo for guests visiting Japan for the first time from Europe.

The guests had arrived at Narita Airport the previous day and taken the Narita Express to Shinjuku. The main purpose of their visit to Japan was a cruise around Japan departing from Yokohama Port, starting the following day. They said they were looking forward to stopping at various regions across Japan. Their stay in Tokyo was only for this single day.

Aside from one brief rain shower, the tour took place under pleasant, clear skies.

We first went to Asakusa. Despite the early morning hour, it was very crowded. I explained about Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo, what a five-story pagoda is, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. There was a question asking whether all Japanese people believe in Buddhism. The guests drew an omikuji fortune, got a "good luck" result, and were delighted. We strolled slowly along the Nakamise shopping street.

We then moved to Tsukiji, which was full of people. I explained the history of the fish market since the Edo period and the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. We looked around various shops, and the guests took a liking to shumai, which they purchased and tasted. There were also questions such as "Why are there so many people here?" "This is the first time seeing real wasabi," and "Do all people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?"

After this, we moved to Harajuku, first visiting Meiji Shrine. I explained about torii gates, Emperor Meiji, the history of Edo and Tokyo, the Meiji Restoration, and more. There was also a question about how many Christians there are in Japan. We took a short break at the café at Meiji Shrine. We then strolled along the crowded Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando.

We moved to Shibuya, which was crowded despite it being daytime. I explained the history of Shibuya. We walked across the Scramble Crossing and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There were questions such as "Why are there so many people at the Scramble Crossing?" and "Are they all locals?"

After this, the guests wanted to have ramen for lunch, so we went to a casual noodle restaurant, where they ordered yakisoba. They noted that this menu item is not available at Japanese restaurants in their home city.

The guests commented that the whole city was very quiet and that everything seemed to run in an orderly manner, that there was no litter on the streets, and that they saw no homeless people. They also remarked that the trains and subways were clean and quiet, with no one chatting, which was completely different from where they live, and that the public restrooms were plentiful and clean.

After this, the guests really wanted to visit Rikugien Garden, so I saw them off at Komagome 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.