Tokyo in One Day: Higashi-shinjuku & Shibuya — Guide Masa

What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Hamarikyu, the Imperial Palace, and Shibuya

The guests were a group of friends visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had arrived at Haneda Airport on a direct flight two days earlier and taken a taxi to their hotel. Their trip covered several days in Tokyo, followed by Kyoto and Osaka, before returning to Tokyo and heading home. The guests said they all love traveling and have enjoyed many overseas trips together. They mentioned they were planning a day trip to Hakone and Mount Fuji the following day. They also said, "We love Japanese food and want to try lots of things and enjoy ourselves."

The tour took place under cloudy but rather hot and humid weather.

First, we visited Tsukiji Market. I explained "the history of the fish market dating back to the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." The guests asked, "Why are there so many people here?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" We strolled slowly, purchasing and sampling matcha ice cream, strawberry mochi, fried sweet potato, and more.

From there, we walked to Hamarikyu Gardens, as the guests had expressed a wish to see a beautiful Japanese garden. I explained "the history of Hamarikyu Gardens" and "duck hunting," and we strolled leisurely through the grounds. The guests said, "The Japanese garden is wonderful," and "The way it is surrounded by high-rise buildings resembles Central Park in New York."

We then moved on to the Imperial Palace and walked through the East Gardens. One question was, "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 "why the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo." The guests also asked, "Are there no more samurai?" and "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold any political power?"

Since the guests said they wanted to have sushi for lunch, we went to a sushi restaurant in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya. Everyone was very pleased.

Next, we went to Shibuya. First, we crossed the Scramble Crossing on foot, then took photos looking down from the entrance to a train platform. The guests asked, "Why do so many people gather here?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue and strolled through Center Gai. The guests made comments and asked questions such as, "It's amazing that there's no litter on the streets — completely different from what we're used to," "Doesn't anyone throw trash on the streets?" "It was our first time riding the subway, and it was very comfortable and convenient," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" and "The staff at our hotel were all from another country — how many immigrants live in Japan?"

Since the guests said they were unsure how to get back to their hotel, I saw them off at Higashi-Shinjuku 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.