Kanagawa in One Day: Kamakura Station & Hase Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kamakura Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. The lead guest and one other member of the group were visiting Japan for the second time, while everyone else was visiting for the first time. The group had originally come from another region and had moved to North America some years ago.

Everyone in the group had different itineraries. Some members had already finished a trip to the Kansai region and were returning home the next day, while others were heading to Kansai from the following day. Their overall trip to Japan spanned about twelve days. Everyone in the group was staying in Shinjuku. After the tour today, they planned to go shopping in Ginza.

The tour took place under clear skies and intense heat. The guests were very expressive and tended to move around independently, and their pace of walking was quite slow.

We first went from Kamakura Station to Kotoku-in and the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Both the Enoden train and the approach to the temple were packed with tourists and extremely crowded.

Along the way, I explained about "the history of Kamakura," "the history of Edo and Tokyo," "the feudal system," "the Meiji Restoration," and more. I also explained "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" "What other religions do people follow?" and "Are there any Catholics?"

The guests also went inside the Great Buddha and said, "Now I really understand how the Great Buddha was made." There was also a question: "Which is bigger, this one or the Great Buddha of Nara? And which was built first?"

We moved on to Hasedera. The guests were able to enjoy the lotus flowers, and one commented, "The garden inside the temple is wonderful. I'd love to create a garden like this at my own home."

We returned to Kamakura Station and went to Komachi-dori. Some of the guests said, "We haven't had breakfast, so let's have lunch somewhere." After looking around at various restaurants along Komachi-dori, we finally found one serving chirashi sushi (which also had meat dishes), and everyone went in together. Some of the guests liked fish while others only ate meat, so preferences varied widely. Everyone enjoyed a leisurely lunch.

After that, we went to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. A shrine maiden dance was being performed on the stage, and everyone eagerly took photos.

From here, we took a bus to Kita-Kamakura Station. We strolled around Meigetsu-in and Engaku-ji. Comments included "It's so quiet and peaceful," along with a question: "This temple seems more modest than Senso-ji. Why is that?"

With such a large group and everyone moving around independently, it was a challenge to keep the group together.

The guests commented, "Japan is very safe. I'd love to come back again," "There's no litter on the streets," "There are no homeless people to be seen," and "Everyone is so polite." There were also comments such as "The train and subway networks are so sophisticated," and "It's quiet inside the trains. No one is chatting."

We parted ways at Kita-Kamakura Station with the guests, who were heading off to go shopping in Ginza.

Click here for more details: Kamakura Customized Private Tour in 1 Day, 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.