Tokyo: Ginza Station & Shinjuku Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Private West-Side Tokyo Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group of friends visiting from Europe, all coming to Japan for the first time. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures.

The day before, the guests arrived at Haneda on a direct flight early in the morning. They transferred between trains to reach their hotel, and before check-in in the evening, they strolled around Ginza and the Imperial Palace.

This trip involved about three weeks in Japan, with visits planned to Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and other places, before returning to Tokyo and then heading home.

Today, one member of the group was not feeling well and did not join, so the tour was conducted with the rest of the group. Since they planned to explore the eastern side of Tokyo the next day, they requested that today's tour focus mainly on the western side. It was a sunny tour, with weather that was almost too warm.

We first went to Shinjuku Gyoen. I explained the "History of Edo and Tokyo" and the "History of Shinjuku Gyoen." Comments and questions included: "How large is it?", "It's wonderful to have such a large green space in the middle of the city," and "This is the first time I've seen a Japanese garden, and I was very moved." We strolled slowly through the grounds. The guests said they loved flowers and wanted to see many kinds, and in the rose garden they photographed various types of roses.

We moved to Harajuku, first visiting Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto," "torii gates," "Emperor Meiji," "the Japanese Imperial Family," and "why barrels of sake and wine are displayed here." Questions included: "What are the main religions in Japan?", "When and why did Shinto arise?", and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" We came across a wedding procession and took many photos.

After a break at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu, we went to Yoyogi Park. We strolled slowly through the grounds, and I explained the "origins and history of Yoyogi Park." One comment was, "This would be perfect for a picnic."

After this, we walked around Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando. The guests were surprised by the crowds and delighted by the various pet cafes.

Next, to Shibuya. First, from the entrance to the Keio Inokashira Line platform, they looked down at Shibuya Scramble Square and took photos, then actually crossed the Scramble Crossing. One question was, "Why do so many people gather here?" After taking photos in front of the Hachiko statue, we strolled through Center Street.

Then, saying they were hungry, we went inside the Tokyu Food Show. Each of them bought a Japanese-style bento and ate in the eat-in space. (One member of the group could not eat meat and another could not eat fish, so having lunch together was rather difficult.)

We returned once again to Shinjuku, heading to Kabukicho. I explained about the "origins and history of Shinjuku" and the "differences between the east and west sides of the station." We walked around Shinjuku Golden Gai (almost completely quiet, though several groups of foreign travelers were strolling through), the Godzilla head, and Omoide Yokocho. Comments included, "The atmosphere here feels different from Ginza or Shibuya," and "I'd like to come back here at night."

Other comments and questions included: "The streets are clean with no litter—does no one throw trash on the ground?", "There are no homeless people to be seen," "It's very quiet inside the subway," and "Why are there no trash bins in the streets? Do they also try not to place trash bins in London?"

I saw them off at Ginza Station, and we parted ways.

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.