Tokyo in Half a Day: 集合場所：Kawagoe & Dispersal: Kawagoe — Guide Masa

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

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They arrived at Narita Airport and took a taxi to a B&B in Shinjuku. They planned to stay in Japan for about eight days, mainly exploring central Tokyo and the surrounding areas. The day before, the whole group visited Tokyo Disneyland, and they planned to go to Enoshima the following day. With two strollers in the group, we moved slowly and at a relaxed pace. This trip was centered around the younger members of the group, and they expressed a wish to visit "places that are not too crowded" and "places where they could feel old Japanese culture."

Despite the clear skies, it was a cold day with a chilly wind throughout the tour.

After meeting at Kawagoe Station, we took a bus to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Since they had not yet visited any temples or shrines in central Tokyo, I explained "What is Shinto," "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto," and "the Japanese view of religion." They commented that it was "quiet and pleasant" and asked, "Are there Christians in Japan?"

From here, we walked to Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten and other sites.

They mentioned having seen "The Last Samurai." I explained "the history of Kawagoe" and "Japanese history from the Edo period onward." They asked questions and made comments such as, "What happened to the shoguns and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?" and "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?"

From there, at the request of the younger members of the group, we went to Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley).

We strolled through the alley, purchasing and sampling matcha ice cream, chocolate, and other treats. They also bought many traditional candies as souvenirs, with "dried sweet potato" being a favorite.

We then moved to a restaurant for lunch (reserved in advance). I waited outside the restaurant.

(Since one member of the group was a big fan of "eel.")

Lunch lasted a little over an hour. They said, "It was delicious. We were very satisfied. We also enjoyed the hot sake."

On foot, we moved to the Kurazukuri (warehouse-style) townscape street. We strolled around, peeking into various shops. They purchased "washi paper" and "stationery" for the younger members of the group.

We took a bus back to Kawagoe Station.

They made comments and asked questions such as, "The streets in Japan are so clean and there is no litter," "Everyone is so polite," "We were surprised at how clean the public restrooms are," and "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?"

We saw them off at Kawagoe Station and parted ways.

Click here for more details: Kawagoe Half-Day Trip from Tokyo 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.