Tokyo: Tsukiji Station & Akasaka-mitsuke Station — Guide Masa

Private Full-Day Tour in Tokyo for Overseas Guests: What Does a Licensed Guide Show Beyond the Usual Sights?

The guests were visitors from North America, both visiting Japan for the first time. The tour booking was originally confirmed under the name of a travel agency based in Europe, but the person who made this booking was the owner of that travel agency. The guests were in the middle of a roughly one-month trip through various parts of Asia that had begun in North America, when their original travel agent suddenly cancelled the contract midway through the trip. After the cancellation, the contract with the guests was taken over by the travel agency in Europe, and the guide request was then passed on to [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) from there, which is how this assignment came about.

The guests had arrived at Narita Airport from Asia in late January. After visiting Kyoto, they returned to Tokyo. They had already spent two days exploring the city and were scheduled to fly home from Narita Airport the following evening. They asked to be shown places they had not yet visited. The destinations originally requested at the time of confirmation had already been covered, so before their departure we carefully discussed today's destinations.

Both of the guests love Japanese food. They expressed a wish to "try Japanese dishes we haven't had yet" and to "buy souvenirs for relatives." It was a very cold and cloudy day for the tour.

First, we headed to Tsukiji. After walking around the Tsukiji Uogashi, we moved on to the Tsukiji Outer Market and slowly made a full loop through the area. I explained "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the differences between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." We looked around various shops and sampled "tuna sushi" and "snow crab." They also bought "wasabi-flavored beans" and a "Tsukiji T-shirt" as souvenirs. They asked, "Why are there so many people here?"

Next, we went to the Kappabashi Kitchenware Street in Asakusa. They said, "We came here in the evening yesterday too, but almost all the shops were closed and we couldn't shop." We took a leisurely stroll through the street. Having been asked by a friend, they bought a "tabletop salt and pepper set" and "chopsticks."

We then moved to Asakusa. Since they said, "We've seen temples and shrines all over the place," they only strolled through the Nakamise shopping street. I gave a general explanation of "the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?" As souvenirs, they bought "yuzu pepper," a "tenugui hand towel," "ningyo-yaki," and "rice crackers." Again there was the question, "Why are there so many people here?"

We moved to Nippori. They commented, "Shopping streets like this, with their nostalgic atmosphere, are wonderful." Since one of the guests said they love cats, they took photos here and there.

We then went to Ginza. As they wanted to eat yakitori, we visited a well-known yakitori restaurant in Ginza. The restaurant was full. They said, "Everything you eat in Japan is delicious." We strolled through Ginza and, at a department store in Ginza, they bought "Baumkuchen," "ichimi and shichimi chili peppers," "inari sushi," and a "katsu sandwich" (which they planned to take back to the hotel to eat). They also searched for a vintage bourbon whiskey but gave up as they couldn't find the particular vintage they were after.

From here, we moved to Shimokitazawa. Browsing the shopping streets and vintage clothing stores, they commented, "We also went to Kichijoji, but we love this kind of calm atmosphere."

They also made comments such as, "All Japanese people are polite," "The city is clean and there's no litter scattered around," "Why aren't there any trash cans?", "The subway is very well made, though it's hard to understand until you get used to it. Inside it's clean and quiet, unlike New York," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant."

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.