Tokyo in Half a Day: Departure: Shimbashi Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. It was their first time in Japan. The main purpose of their trip to Japan was to attend a wedding, as a member of the group was getting married. They arrived at Haneda yesterday afternoon and transferred by train to their hotel. They would stay in Tokyo for three days, with other members of the group gradually gathering in Tokyo from North America, and in four days everyone planned to travel together for the wedding. After the wedding, they planned to visit Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka, and then return home from Kansai Airport.

The main purpose of today's tour was to give them a general sense of Tokyo and to learn how to use the subway. The tour took place under weather that brought occasional rain.

First, we went to Asakusa. We walked from Kaminarimon through the Nakamise shopping street to the main hall. As it was the first day of a holiday weekend, and despite the rain, it was extremely crowded. I explained about Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo, what a five-story pagoda is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. There were questions such as "What are the lanterns for?", "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?", and "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?"

We moved on to the Imperial Palace. I explained about the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji era, the Meiji Restoration, why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace, and the current issues facing the Imperial family. They commented, "The pine trees are beautiful. I collect a few bonsai as a hobby," and "I also liked the Japanese garden." There were also questions such as "Does the Emperor really live in here?"

We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I also explained about Emperor Meiji. They said, "It is wonderful that there is such a green place in the center of the city," and "The chrysanthemums at the chrysanthemum exhibition were impressive." There was also a question: "Who bears the cost of maintaining the shrine? Is there any support from the government?"

They commented, "I now understand well that Tokyo is a city that spreads over a wide area." They also remarked, "The city is clean. There is no litter on the ground," "There are no trash bins on the streets," "There are no homeless people to be seen," "The public toilets are clean and pleasant," and "The subway is quiet, clean, and reassuring."

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

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