Kanagawa in One Day: Motomachi-Chukagai Station — Guide Masa

What's a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Kamakura Like from Yokohama? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America, all coming to Japan for the first time. They were longtime travel companions. Two days earlier, they had arrived at Haneda Airport and taken a taxi to a hotel in Yokohama. The main purpose of this visit to Japan was a 12-day cruise around Japan departing from the Port of Yokohama, set to begin the day after next. They planned to go sightseeing in various places at each port of call. For today, the guests requested a tour focused mainly on Kamakura.

The guests also mentioned that some of their party were scheduled to arrive from North America and join the same cruise, but that their flight had been canceled due to a typhoon, so they had not yet arrived in Japan, and they were worried.

A powerful typhoon was approaching, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, but the guests strongly wished to proceed, saying, "Today is our only chance to visit Kamakura," so we went ahead with the tour. Before departure, we bought umbrellas and raincoats at a nearby convenience store.

We traveled to Kamakura Station via Yokohama Station, and then on to Hase Station. Even inside the Enoden train, there were only a few tourists. Along the way, I explained about "the history of Kamakura," "the history of Edo and Tokyo," "the feudal system," and "the Meiji Restoration." I also explained "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What other religions do people follow?"

Unfortunately, due to the typhoon, Kotoku-in was closed, and we could not go inside. However, we were able to see just the face of the Great Buddha from outside and took photos. Quite a few tourists had come as well. The guests also said, "Since we plan to go to Nara too, we'd like to see the Great Buddha in Nara."

We moved on to Hase-dera, where we were able to go inside. The guests remarked, "The garden within the temple is wonderful." We returned to Kamakura Station and took a bus to Hokoku-ji, which was also open. I explained about "the history and current state of Hokoku-ji." We took a leisurely stroll through the bamboo grove within the temple grounds.

We returned to Kamakura Station by bus and walked along the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. I explained again about "Shinto" and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto," as well as the "manner of worship" for each. We took photos in front of the sake barrels. Afterward, we walked along Komachi-dori back toward Kamakura Station. Around this time, the rain began to ease.

We traveled to Motomachi-Chukagai Station via Yokohama Station. The guests commented, "We felt Japan is very safe," "There's no litter on the streets," and "Everyone is polite." I saw them off at Motomachi-Chukagai Station, where we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Yokohama & Kamakura in 1 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.