Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Station & Nijubashimae Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Skytree, and the Imperial Palace

The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe. It was the first visit to Japan for all of them.

This trip to Japan was part of a cruise circling the country. The ship had entered port the previous day. On the previous afternoon, they had reportedly gone by taxi to Harajuku and Shinjuku.

[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) had originally arranged for a party of several people, but on this day some of them were unable to join due to feeling unwell, so the tour proceeded with the remaining guests.

The cruise ship was scheduled to call afterward at Shimizu Port, Kobe Port, Okinawa, and other locations. They mentioned that they were planning shore excursions at each of these destinations.

For this day, they mainly wished to visit spots on the eastern side of Tokyo.

It was a pleasant tour under clear skies and comfortable weather.

First, we went to Tsukiji. After strolling through the Tsukiji Uogashi, we took our time exploring the outer market area.

I explained "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market."

There were also questions and comments such as "Can we see the tuna auction?", "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?", and "It's crowded, but it really seems like there are a lot of tourists."

They bought "tuna sushi" and sampled it while standing. They also purchased "roasted soybeans" as a souvenir.

We moved on to Asakusa.

Although not as busy as during the New Year season, the temple grounds were crowded with worshippers and tourists. There was a long line to pray at the main hall.

I explained "the history of Senso-ji Temple and of Edo becoming Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto."

We took commemorative photos at the Kaminarimon Gate, in front of the five-story pagoda, and at various other spots. We took our time strolling along the Nakamise shopping street.

There were questions such as "What are Japan's main religions?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what religions do people believe in?"

From Asakusa Station we went to Tokyo Skytree (which the guests had reserved in advance).

I waited at the elevator exit.

They said, "Unfortunately we couldn't see Mount Fuji," but also, "It was great to see the overall view of Tokyo."

I explained "the size and area of Tokyo," "the population of Tokyo and of Japan," and "the challenges Tokyo currently faces."

They said, "We really understood what a vast city Tokyo is."

From here we moved on to the Imperial Palace, going to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. One of the guests waited at the rest area near the entrance.

First, we went to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace.

I explained topics such as "having seen 'The Last Samurai,' the history of Japan from Edo to Meiji," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," "the history of the imperial family," "World War II and the air raids on Tokyo," and "how the stone walls were built."

There were questions and comments such as "What happened to the shoguns and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?", "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?", "Who is the next Emperor?", "Can a woman become Emperor?", and "How many members are there in the imperial family in total?"

There were also comments and questions such as "The city is so clean, there's no litter on the ground," "I was surprised how clean the public restrooms are," "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?", and "The subway is complicated and hard to use until you get used to it."

I saw them off at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal 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.