Tokyo in Half a Day: Iidabashi Station & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Harajuku, and Shibuya

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, arriving from Europe. They arrived at Haneda Airport last night via a connecting flight and took a taxi to their accommodation. Yesterday they explored the area around their hotel.

This time they were on a 14-day trip to Japan, planning to stay in Tokyo before traveling on to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, then departing from Kansai Airport to continue their journey and eventually return home.

They asked me first to teach them how to use public transportation in Tokyo. The weather was clear but hot and humid throughout the tour. They had already purchased a Welcome Suica card.

We started with Asakusa, which was as crowded as ever. Beginning from the front of Kaminarimon Gate, I explained "the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos at Kaminarimon, in front of the five-story pagoda, and at various spots, then strolled slowly through the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the main religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", "What other religions do people believe in?", and "Are there Catholics in Japan?"

Next we moved to Harajuku. I explained "about Shinto," "about torii gates," "about Emperor Meiji," "why sake barrels are displayed," and "why wine barrels are displayed." They asked, "This is completely different from Sensoji Temple yesterday," and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" We took a relaxed break at the cafe terrace at Meiji Shrine, where they enjoyed a beer. After that, we also strolled along Takeshita Street.

From there we moved to Shibuya. First, we took photos looking down at Scramble Square from the entrance of the Keio Inokashira Line platform, then actually crossed the intersection. There were questions such as "Why do so many people gather here?" and "Why did it become so famous?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue, and they eagerly photographed the 3D panda billboard.

They commented and asked, "Japanese people are all quiet and polite," "The whole city is clean with no litter," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?"

Since they were still not used to the public transportation, I saw them off at Iidabashi Station, where 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.