Tokyo in Half a Day: Ginza & Tokyo Skytree — Guide Masa

What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Tsukiji and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America, both visiting Japan for the first time. This was a two-week trip to Japan. After staying in Tokyo, they planned to sightsee in Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, then return to Tokyo before heading home. They arrived at Narita Airport last night on a direct flight and took a shuttle bus to their accommodation. They mentioned enjoying ramen for dinner. They said they were looking forward to trying various Japanese dishes, especially sushi. This afternoon they planned to visit Tokyo Skytree and TeamLab, and the next day they intended to explore Shibuya and the western part of Tokyo.

It was a sunny day, but the wind was strong and the weather was chilly during the tour.

We first went to Tsukiji. After strolling around Tsukiji Uogashi, we took a leisurely walk through the market area. I explained the history of the fish market dating back to the Edo period, and the difference between the Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. The guests asked, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and commented, "It's crowded, but it seems like there are many tourists after all."

They said they wanted to try various things to eat while standing, so we stopped at several shops as we walked. As a result, they tried tuna sushi, grilled eel, tamagoyaki, fresh sea urchin, fresh snow crab, and more. They also bought a large amount of wasabi peanuts as souvenirs. They remarked that while there is a fish market where they live, it is not as large or as crowded as this one.

We then moved to Asakusa. The grounds of Sensoji Temple were crowded with tour groups. I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, the purpose of the five-story pagoda, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos at various spots, including in front of the Kaminarimon gate and the five-story pagoda. We also strolled leisurely through the Nakamise shopping street and continued on to Shin-Nakamise street.

They asked questions such as, "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Christians are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?"

They also commented and asked, "The streets are so clean and there is no litter," "I was surprised at how clean the public restrooms are, though it was inconvenient that there were no hand dryers," and "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?"

They asked to be taken to Skytree, so I saw them off at Tokyo Skytree Station and the tour concluded.

Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, 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.