Tokyo in Half a Day: Tochomae Station & Shinjuku Station — Guide Masa

Can You Do a Private One-Day Sightseeing Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. It was their first time in Japan.

They arrived at Haneda Airport the previous night and took a taxi to their hotel. The night before, they had strolled around the Shinjuku and Kabukicho area.

This time, the guests were visiting Japan for a total of eight days on a holiday trip. After spending three days in Tokyo, they planned to travel around Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, then return to Tokyo before heading home.

They mentioned they were planning to join a Shinjuku food tour that evening. They were also planning a day trip to Mount Fuji the following day.

For today, they expressed their hope, saying, "We are looking forward to seeing the cherry blossoms."

The tour took place under alternating sun and clouds, in fairly warm weather.

First, we headed to Asakusa, which was packed with crowds.

We started in front of the Kaminarimon Gate. I explained "Senso-ji Temple and the history 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 various spots, including the Kaminarimon Gate and in front of the five-story pagoda. The weeping cherry tree in the temple grounds was in full bloom, and the surrounding area was full of tourists absorbed in taking photos. We slowly strolled through the crowded Nakamise shopping street.

There were questions such as "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?"

There was also a question: "We see many people wearing kimono in the temple grounds. Why is that? Are they all Japanese?"

We moved to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Here and there, the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom.

I explained "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 stone walls are constructed."

There were questions and comments such as "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?", "Who is the next Emperor?", and "Can a woman become Emperor?"

We moved on to Shibuya.

We actually crossed the Scramble Crossing. There were questions such as "How many people gather here at the busiest times?" and "Why did it become so famous?"

We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue and slowly strolled through Shibuya Center Street.

There were comments and questions such as "The trains here are quiet, unlike back home. No one is talking loudly.", "Tokyo is clean throughout the city, with no litter on the streets.", "The public restrooms are so clean.", and "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?"

I saw them off at Shinjuku 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.