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

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Europe, and this was their first time in Japan. They had arrived at Haneda Airport early the previous morning and taken a taxi to their hotel. The day before, they strolled around the area near their hotel and enjoyed teppanyaki for dinner. On this trip, they would stay in Tokyo for only two days, after which they planned to travel by rental car through Nagano, Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, and also visit Okinawa, finally returning home by air from Okinawa. Their wishes were to visit places not usually frequented by ordinary tourists and to see cherry blossoms.

It was a sunny day after a long spell, almost hot, and the tour took place in this pleasant weather.

First, we went to Rikugien Garden in Komagome. I explained the history and current state of Rikugien Garden. The weeping cherry tree had already completely turned to green leaves, but the azaleas were in full bloom. "The Japanese garden is wonderful. The view is superb," they said.

We then moved to Nihonbashi. Looking at the "Kidai Shoran" scroll, I explained the history of Edo and Tokyo and the origins of Nihonbashi. Afterward, we visited Nihonbashi Kiya Honten, Ninben, and the Nihonbashi Toyama-kan, among others. "It was wonderful to see the old streetscape of Tokyo," they said.

We moved on to Tsukiji, which was as crowded as ever. After a quick look around Tsukiji Uogashi, we took a leisurely stroll through the outer market. 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. They asked, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and commented, "It is crowded, but it does seem there are many tourists." Wanting to try something, they sampled grilled Kobe beef skewers.

From here, we headed to Ginza. From the 4-chome intersection, we strolled through Ginza Mitsukoshi, the Nissan Gallery, Ginza SIX, and other spots. "There are many stores originating from Europe," they noted. They also commented, "It is quiet inside the trains. No one is speaking loudly," "The streets are clean and there is no litter," and "It is surprising that public restrooms everywhere are clean and free."

We parted ways at Ginza Station.

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.