Tokyo: Tobu Asakusa Station & Shinkyo bus stop — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a family visiting Japan from North America, all coming to Japan for the first time. Three days earlier, they had arrived at Haneda Airport on a direct flight and taken a taxi to their Hotel in Asakusa. This was a twelve-day trip to Japan. Part of the purpose was to accompany one of the guests, who would begin a short one-month study program at a university in Japan starting in June, while also enjoying travel together. Two days before, they had strolled around Asakusa, and the previous day they had joined a Mount Fuji and Hakone day trip. The following day they planned to head to Osaka, leaving one member behind for the study program, then visit Kyoto and Nara before returning to Tokyo and heading home. They mentioned wanting to try many different kinds of Japanese cuisine. Today, they wished to see Japan's history and the atmosphere of the countryside and enjoy the experience.

Under cloudy skies, Nikko was rather chilly, but we were able to complete the tour without any rain.

We met at Tobu Asakusa Station and took the train from Asakusa to Nikko. On the way, I explained "the direction of Nikko as seen from Tokyo," "the origins and history of Nikko," "the Edo period of Japan, and about the Edo period and Tokugawa Ieyasu," and "the five highways and the sankin-kotai system."

First, from Tobu Nikko Station, we took a bus to central Nikko. We walked around Rinnoji Temple. A goma fire ritual was being performed, and we observed it for a while. The guests commented, "We didn't fully understand it, but we could feel the solemn atmosphere." I explained "about Buddhism" and "about Buddhism and Shinto." At Rinnoji, the guests were impressed by the Japanese garden and took their time taking photos.

From here, we continued on foot to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Despite it being a weekday, it was very crowded with groups of visitors from overseas and groups of elementary and junior high school students. We visited the Yomeimon Gate, the main hall, and the "crying dragon" in sequence. The "three wise monkeys" and the "sleeping cat" seemed to be particular favorites, and the guests spent a good amount of time photographing them. They said they had heard about the "three wise monkeys" beforehand, but had never heard of the "sleeping cat."

Next, we walked to Nikko Futarasan Shrine. There was a question, "The row of cedar trees is wonderful. How old are these trees?" We strolled slowly through the grounds.

We then walked to the entrance of the West Approach and took a short break at a coffee shop. After resting, we walked to Kanmangafuchi Abyss. Along the way, there were a few tourists, and along the Daiya River there were many anglers. We took photos here and there. We walked down to the riverbank and rested. Then we walked back to the entrance of the West Approach and headed to the Shinkyo Bridge. There were also many tourists there, and we took our time photographing from various spots.

After this, we had lunch at a local restaurant. Everyone ordered a variety of different dishes.

After lunch, we visited a historic hotel in Nikko. I explained "the origins and history of the hotel," and then we walked through the interior. The guests commented, "Toshogu is quite lavish and highly decorated. It was very interesting." They also remarked, "No matter where you go in Japan, there is no litter on the ground; it's clean."

On the way back, the guests mostly napped in the train.

We returned from Tobu Nikko Station to Asakusa Station and went to a coffee shop. There were questions such as "how to ride the Shinkansen," "how to get from Asakusa to Tokyo Station," and "where should we go in Kyoto?" Afterward, we parted ways at Asakusa Station.

Click here for more details: Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized 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.