Tokyo in One Day: Shiodome Station & Shinjuku Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See in One Day in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was a short visit of only three days, staying only in Tokyo, and they wished to see as many spots in the city as possible. They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening on a direct flight and taken a taxi to their hotel. The [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day tour of Tokyo covering the city's main highlights, as the guests requested. They mentioned they were planning to attend a "sumo show" in the evening. It was a hot and humid day under fine weather.

Starting from Shiodome Station, we first went to Tsukiji. I explained the history of Tokyo's fish markets since the Edo period, and the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. We first looked around Tsukiji Uogashi, and then went to the Outer Market. We bought and sampled tuna sushi, grilled crab, and strawberry daifuku. There were questions and comments such as "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It's crowded, but it looks like there are a lot of tourists."

Next we went to Asakusa, which as always was crowded with large numbers of people. Starting from the front of Kaminarimon Gate, I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, the purpose of the five-story pagoda, an overview of Buddhism, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon and strolled slowly along the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the main religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?"

We moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, and why wine barrels are displayed there. There were questions such as "What kind of teachings does Shinto have?", "When did Shinto originate?", and "How many shrines are there in Japan?" We also strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street.

We then went to Shibuya. We crossed the Scramble Crossing on foot and took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There were questions such as "Why are so many people crossing this intersection?" and "Since when has it become so crowded?"

We moved on to Shinjuku and strolled around the Kabukicho area, as well as Omoide Yokocho and the quiet Shinjuku Golden Gai. I explained the origins of Kabukicho and the history of Omoide Yokocho. We took many commemorative photos with the Godzilla Head in the background. Seeing scattered trash and empty cans here and there, there was a comment that "it feels less like Tokyo and more like downtown in a big North American city."

There were also questions and comments such as "Tokyo felt clean and extremely safe, completely different from home," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?", and "The Tokyo subway system seems remarkably well made." I saw the guests off at Shiodome Station, ending the tour.

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.