Tokyo: Hotel Groove Shinjuku & Shibuya — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Some of the group had visited Japan about 30 years ago (though only Osaka), while others were visiting Japan for the first time. This time they chose Japan as the final destination of a South Pacific cruise, staying in Tokyo for about a week before flying home. They had arrived at Haneda by air the previous evening and taken a taxi to their hotel in the rain. Going forward, they planned to watch baseball at Jingu Stadium and to observe morning sumo practice. The group walked at a gentle pace, so the tour proceeded slowly.

In contrast to the previous day, the tour took place under clear skies. However, being a holiday period, everywhere was extremely crowded.

We first went to Asakusa. From the front of Kaminarimon Gate, it was very crowded. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon Gate and the five-story pagoda. There were questions such as "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?", and "Do people go to temple every week?" They purchased a "traffic safety" amulet. We strolled through the very crowded Nakamise shopping street. There was a question about the beckoning cat: "What does it mean?"

We then moved to the Imperial Palace. We strolled through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. There were comments such as "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms" and questions like "When do the cherry blossoms reach full bloom?" I explained "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "why the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo." There were also questions such as "Does the Emperor of Japan have political power?" and "How were the stone walls built?"

We moved to Harajuku and went to Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto," "the torii gate," "Emperor Meiji," "the history of Edo and Tokyo," "the Meiji Restoration," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." There were also questions such as "When did Shinto originate?" and "Who or what is enshrined at a shrine?" Afterward, we strolled along the very crowded Omotesando.

We then went to Shibuya. First, we walked across the scramble crossing, then took photos looking down from the entrance to the Keio Inokashira Line platform. There was also a question: "Why do so many people gather here?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There were comments and questions such as "The streets are clean, with no litter," "There are no homeless people to be seen," and "Why are there no trash cans in the streets?"

We returned to Shinjuku by hired car and parted ways at the hotel driveway.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car 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.