Kanagawa in Half a Day: Kamakura Station & Hase Station — Guide Masa

What Is a Private Kamakura Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They were staying at a hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo, during a two-week trip to Japan.

They had arrived at Narita Airport a few days earlier and taken the Narita Express to Shinjuku.

By today, they had visited Tsukiji, Ginza, Shibuya, and other areas in Tokyo, and the previous day they had enjoyed a day trip to Mount Fuji.

From tomorrow, they planned to travel to Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and other destinations, before returning home from Kansai International Airport.

They commented, "Tokyo was crowded everywhere and it was tiring. In that respect, Kamakura felt quiet, and we thought we could relax here."

Although the sky was cloudy, the weather was pleasant and almost warm, making for a comfortable tour.

First, we took the Enoden line from Kamakura Station to Hase.

Both the Enoden train and the approach were extremely crowded with tourists.

Along the way, I explained about "the history of Kamakura," "the history of Edo and Tokyo," "the feudal system," "the Meiji Restoration," and other topics.

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?"

We went inside the Great Buddha, and they said, "Now I understand well how the Great Buddha was made."

They also asked, "Since we are going to Nara, we would like to see the Great Buddha there too. Which one is bigger? And which one was made first?"

Both of the guests enjoy collecting "goshuin" (temple and shrine stamps) as a hobby, so they requested stamps at every place we visited.

We moved on to Hasedera, where they said, "The garden within the temple grounds is wonderful."

Returning to Kamakura Station, we walked along the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

I explained again about "Shinto" and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto," as well as the "worship methods" for each.

We took photos in front of the sake barrels.

We strolled slowly through the crowded streets.

We also worshipped at the Inari Shrine within the grounds.

Afterward, we walked through the very crowded Komachi Street back to Kamakura Station.

They commented, "We felt that Japan is very safe," "There is no litter on the streets," "We don't see any homeless people," and "Everyone is polite."

We parted ways in front of Kamakura Station.

Click here for more details: Kamakura 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.