Tokyo in Half a Day: Hotel Premier Asakusa & Tsukiji — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Like for Guests Using a Wheelchair? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. This time they were traveling in Japan for about ten days. They arrived at Narita Airport in the evening in April via Hong Kong and took a taxi to their hotel. Over the previous two days they had explored central Tokyo on their own. From the following day they planned to visit Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Osaka, before returning to Tokyo and then heading home. They were interested in Japanese history and wanted to visit various historical sites. One of the guests used a wheelchair, so the tour proceeded at a relaxed pace.

The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain, and the tour took place in pleasant weather.

Since the guests said, "First, please guide us around Asakusa with detailed explanations," we headed to Sensoji Temple. Despite the early morning hour, it was very crowded. I explained "the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon Gate.

There were questions such as "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", "What other religions do people believe in?", and "How often do Buddhists go to temples? Do they visit every week?"

We strolled slowly through the Nakamise shopping street and then the Shin-Nakamise shopping street.

After this, we moved to the Imperial Palace (the guests wished to try riding the train rather than taking a taxi).

First, we walked around the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. The cherry blossoms had almost all fallen, and there were comments such as "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms" and questions like "When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms?" I explained "the history 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."

There were comments such as "The pine trees are beautiful, like bonsai" and questions like "Does the Japanese Emperor hold political power?"

There were some slopes, but we managed to get through them.

We then moved to Tsukiji. As always, it was very crowded with many 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 dried squid and bought some.

There were also questions such as "Why are there so many people here?", "This is the first time I've seen real wasabi," "How do you eat bamboo shoots?", and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?"

There were also comments such as "Tokyo really feels like a very crowded city," "But the Japanese people are all quiet and polite," and "The whole city is clean, with no scattered litter."

They also said, "It's a shame we couldn't see the cherry blossoms."

Since the guests said, "We're a bit tired and would like to return to the hotel," I saw them off at Asakusa 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.