Tokyo in One Day: Ginza Station & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Tokyo Tower, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had lived in North America for many years before this trip. On this occasion they were staying in Tokyo for a short time before continuing to Asia to visit relatives.

The previous evening they had strolled through Ginza and had dinner at a sushi restaurant, but they felt the taste and price were both underwhelming. Today, their wish was to see the main sights of Tokyo while learning how to use the subway.

It was a rather humid day under cloudy skies.

First, we headed to Tsukiji. Even though it was a market holiday, it was extremely crowded with tourists. I explained the history of Tokyo's fish market since the Edo period, and the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. The guests asked whether all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish, and commented that although it was crowded, it seemed there were many tourists. We bought and sampled octopus crackers and matcha ice cream.

Next, we moved to Tokyo Tower. This too was packed with many visitors. We went up to the main deck and walked all the way around. I explained the history of Tokyo Tower and the history of Edo and Tokyo. The guests commented that they now understood what a vast city Tokyo is, and that there were so many buildings throughout the city, including many under construction.

We then moved to Shinjuku Gyoen. The guests said they love Japanese gardens, and that they had planted cherry trees in their own garden but had trouble getting them to bloom beautifully. We strolled slowly through the grounds. They remarked that Japanese gardens really are wonderful, and that the pine trees in particular were splendid.

After that, we moved to Harajuku. I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, why sake barrels are displayed, and why wine barrels are also displayed. The guests asked what kind of religion Shinto is, noting that it was completely different from Sensoji Temple, and asked how Buddhism and Shinto differ. After a break at the café terrace at Meiji Jingu, we also strolled along Takeshita Street.

From there, we moved to Shibuya. We actually crossed the Scramble Square. The guests asked why so many people gather here and why it became so famous. We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

The guests said they wanted to try sushi once more, so we went to a sushi restaurant in Tsukiji. They said it was far better than the sushi the day before, and that although there are sushi restaurants in North America, the ones where you can eat with confidence are very expensive.

The guests also commented that Japanese people are all quiet and polite, that they saw no homeless people in the city, and that the streets were clean with no litter, and asked why there were no trash cans on the streets.

I saw them off at Ginza 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.