Tokyo in One Day: Tochomae Station & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a One-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were two groups of friends visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. This trip was part of a vacation of about ten days. They did not plan to visit the Kansai region and intended to sightsee only around Tokyo (Mount Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura, and others). Today's request was: "We would like to see as many of Tokyo's main spots as possible."

It was a tour under clear skies. First, we went to Asakusa, starting from the front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained the history of Senso-ji Temple and the transition 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 and various other spots, and strolled slowly through the crowded Nakamise shopping street. There were 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 believe in?"

We moved to Tokyo Tower. One of the guests had a fear of heights and waited on the first level. The rest climbed up to the Main Deck and walked once around the observation deck. One remarked, "Now I really understand how widely spread out Tokyo is."

Next, to Meiji Jingu Shrine. Again, I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, why sake barrels are displayed, and why wine barrels are also displayed. There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?", "How does Buddhism differ from Shinto?", and "Why did Shinto arise in Japan?" As the guests seemed a little tired, we took a break and had a light lunch at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu.

We moved to Shibuya. From in front of the Keio Line platform, we looked out over the Scramble Crossing, and then actually crossed it. We took photos in front of the Hachiko statue as well. As the guests seemed tired, we rested at a Starbucks. There were comments and questions such as "The city is clean and there is no litter on the ground," "There are no trash cans around the city—why is that?", and "The subway is complicated, but very well made."

From Shibuya, via Shinjuku, I saw them off at Tochomae Station, and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with 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.