Tokyo in Half a Day: Shimbashi Station & Otemachi Station — Guide Masa

# What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like in Cherry Blossom Season? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka, and the Imperial Palace

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. This was a 22-day trip to Japan to celebrate a special occasion.

They had arrived at Narita Airport early the previous morning and taken the Narita Express to Shimbashi, arriving around 8:00 a.m. Since they could not yet check in, they spent time walking around the Shimbashi area.

They planned to stay in Japan for 22 days. In addition to Tokyo, they intended to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, and even Okinawa (for scuba diving).

They mentioned that tonight they would go out for sushi, and that tomorrow they planned to explore the western part of Tokyo.

Today, the guests expressed a wish to see cherry blossoms. It was a tour in light rain, and they remarked, "It's the same in our home country."

First, we went to Asakusa. Despite it being a weekday and rainy, there were large crowds. We started from in front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained about Sensoji Temple and the history 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 Kaminarimon, in front of the five-story pagoda, and at various other spots, and strolled slowly through the Nakamise shopping street.

The guests asked questions such as, "What are the main religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" They also asked, "We see many people wearing kimono within the temple grounds — why is that? Are they all Japanese?"

We then moved to Ueno. In Ueno Park, the weeping cherry tree at the entrance was in full bloom, but the Somei Yoshino cherry trees along the path were only just beginning to bloom. One of the guests enjoys plant photography and was absorbed in taking pictures here and there, so we fell a little behind schedule.

Wishing to see an old part of Tokyo, we visited Yanaka Ginza. I explained the history of Yanaka, and they said, "We love this kind of atmosphere."

We then moved to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, where the cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom in various places. I explained about Japan's history 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.

The guests asked and commented, "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold any political authority?", "Who is the next Emperor?", "Can a woman become Emperor?", and "We also have a king in our home country." They mentioned that people from their home region are interested in Japan's Imperial family and the Imperial system.

They also commented and asked, "Tokyo is so clean everywhere in the city, with no litter on the ground," "The public restrooms are clean and free, which we really appreciate," and "There are no trash cans on the streets — why is that?"

I saw them off at Shimbashi Station, where the tour ended.

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.