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

Private One-Day Tokyo Tour in a Typhoon: A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Harajuku, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was a one-week trip to Japan, and they had traveled from Asia into Kansai Airport, visiting Kyoto and Osaka before taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo the previous night. They planned to return home from Narita Airport the day after next. Their wish was to "see as many of the main spots in Tokyo as possible within the time available." Due to an approaching typhoon, the tour took place in heavy rain and strong winds.

We met at the Hotel.

First we went to Tsukiji Market. Some shops were already preparing to close. After visiting Tsukiji Uogashi, we moved to the Tsukiji Outer Market. I explained "the history of Tokyo's fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There were few tourists around. The guests asked and commented, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It's crowded, but it seems like there are many tourists."

After this we moved to Asakusa. Perhaps because of the bad weather, there were fewer tourists than usual, so we were able to proceed at a leisurely pace. First we went to the observation deck of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, where I explained the history of Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple. Then we started from the front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon Gate and the five-story pagoda. We strolled slowly along the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?", and "Are there any Christians in Japan?"

We moved to Harajuku. First we went to Meiji Shrine. Despite the rain, there were many groups of foreign visitors. I explained "about Shinto," "about the torii gate," "about Emperor Meiji," "why sake barrels are displayed," and "why wine barrels are displayed." There were questions such as "How is Buddhism different from Shinto?" and "When was Shinto established?" We took a break for a while at the café terrace near Meiji Shrine in the rain. After that we strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street, then headed to Shibuya.

We moved to Shibuya. First we took photos looking down on Shibuya Scramble Square from the platform of the Keio Inokashira Line, then actually crossed the intersection. There were questions such as "Why do so many people gather here?" and "Are there more locals or more tourists?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue and strolled through Center Gai. The guests asked and commented, "There are so many subway lines running; it must be hard to get around if you're not used to it," "Tokyo feels like a clean and safe city," and "There's no trash on the streets. So why are there no trash cans anywhere?"

I saw them off at Higashi-ginza 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.