Tokyo: Shinagawa Station & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Skytree, Asakusa, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was their first time in Japan, and they were on a vacation of about twelve days. In addition to Tokyo, they planned to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, then return to Tokyo before heading home. They had arrived at Narita Airport on a direct flight, taking a limousine bus to their accommodation. The previous day, they had taken a day trip to Hakone.

The tour took place under clear skies, in weather that was almost hot. From Shinagawa Station, we first headed to Tokyo Skytree. Despite the early hour, it was very crowded, so I waited in front of the descending elevator. They commented, "Even under clear skies, the clouds were too thick to see Mount Fuji," and "Now I really understand how vast and sprawling a city Tokyo is."

After that, we went to Asakusa. We took commemorative photos at Kaminarimon and various other spots. Amid the crowds of tourists, we strolled slowly along the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What is Buddhism?", "What is the difference between Buddhism and Shinto?", "What are Japan's main religions?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?"

We then moved to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. I explained topics such as "Japan's history from the Edo to the Meiji period," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," "the history and current state of the Imperial family," "World War II and the Tokyo air raids," and "how the stone walls were built." There were questions such as "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold any political power?", "Who will be the next Emperor?", "Can a woman become Emperor?", and "Is it not possible to see the Imperial Palace directly?" There was also a question about "how the stones for the stone walls were transported."

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

We then moved to Shibuya. From the platform area of the Keio Line, we looked out at the Scramble Crossing, and afterward actually crossed it. They remarked that it reminded them of a large city. We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. As they seemed a little tired, we took a break at a coffee shop. There were comments and questions such as "The city is clean and there is no litter on the ground," "There are no trash bins on the streets—why is that?", and "The subway is complex but very well made."

I saw them off from Shibuya to Shinagawa Station, where the tour concluded. A notable stop on the tour was Meiji Shrine. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Tokyo dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Surrounded by a lush forest of around 100,000 trees donated from across Japan, it offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Visitors often pass through its large wooden torii gates and may see displays of sake barrels and wine barrels, which reflect offerings and historical ties, making it a popular place to experience traditional Japanese culture.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour 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.