Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Station & Hase Station — Guide Masa

Title: Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Kamakura from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was visiting Japan for the first time, having traveled from North America. The guest is originally from North America and currently resides in North America. Originally this was to have been a trip with a friend, but the friend was unable to travel for health reasons, so it became a solo trip. The guest was staying in Japan for about three weeks, arriving at Kansai Airport by air from Asia, then touring Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Hida-Takayama, and Shirakawa-go before coming to Tokyo. Before arriving in Japan, the guest had visited Oceania, and after leaving Japan planned to visit Oceania again as well as various parts of Southeast Asia, for a total of about three months of international travel. The guest mentioned having traveled to about 90 countries so far, and that this was a long overseas trip to celebrate retirement. The next day, the guest planned a day trip to Mount Fuji.

The tour took place under cloudy skies with occasional strong winds.

First, we went from Kamakura Station to Kotoku-in and the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Since it was early in the morning, we were able to enter smoothly without much of a wait. However, on the way out it was extremely crowded with many tourists.

In the car on the way to Kamakura, I explained "the history of Kamakura," "the history of Edo and Tokyo," "the feudal system," "the Meiji Restoration," and other topics. I also explained "Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What other religions do people follow?"

The guest also went inside the Great Buddha and said, "Now I understand well how the Great Buddha was made." The guest also commented, "The Great Buddha in Nara is certainly large and impressive, but being indoors it is somewhat dark and you can't clearly see its expression. In that respect, the Kamakura Great Buddha is outdoors and you can read its expression, and I prefer this one."

We moved on to Hasedera. The guest said, "The garden within the temple is wonderful. I would like to create a garden like this at my own home."

We returned to Kamakura Station and walked to Zeniarai Benzaiten. The guest seemed a little tired from the steep slope. After arriving, the guest actually placed their coins in the basket to wash them and seemed satisfied. The guest said, "I visited many shrines and temples in Kyoto as well, but this place is unique and interesting."

We walked back to Kamakura Station again and strolled along Komachi Street. For some reason it was overflowing with many groups of tourists. Along the way, we stopped at a café for a break and had lunch.

After that, we went to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. It was a day when "Yabusame" (horseback archery) was being held, so there was a huge crowd. We managed to climb up to the main hall and pay our respects.

We returned to Kamakura Station and took the train to Kita-Kamakura Station. We strolled through Meigetsu-in and Engaku-ji. The guest said, "It's quiet and calming. I don't really like crowds."

From Kita-Kamakura Station we headed to Tokyo Station. The guest commented, "Japan is very safe. I'd like to come back again," "There is no litter in the streets," "I don't see any homeless people," and "Everyone is polite." The guest also commented, "The trains, subways, and other transport networks are sophisticated," "It's quiet inside the trains. No one is chatting," and "The public restrooms are clean."

I saw the guest off to Tokyo Station and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo 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.