Tokyo in Half a Day: Departure: the b asakusa & Shimbashi — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour? Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Tsukiji — A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. Their everyday language was a European language, but they had no trouble communicating in English at all.

They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening and traveled to their hotel by train (Toei Asakusa Line). They mentioned that the previous evening they had enjoyed Kobe beef steak nearby.

The main purpose of this visit to Japan was to take part in the Tokyo Marathon.

They were staying in Japan for a total of ten days. After this, they planned to travel around Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka, then return to Tokyo before heading home.

They said, "Tomorrow we would like to visit Shinjuku and Shibuya."

The tour took place under clear, almost warm skies. "Right now there is snow back home, so this is delightful," they said. I explained about Japan's winter weather.

We entered Senso-ji Temple, and from the main hall we proceeded in reverse through the Nakamise shopping street.

I explained about "the history of Senso-ji 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?", "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?", "How do Shinto and Buddhism differ?", and "Are there Christians in Japan?"

The Nakamise shopping street was as crowded as ever.

We moved on to the Imperial Palace.

I explained about "the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji period," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "an overview of the current Imperial Family."

"The pine trees are beautiful," they said. There were also questions such as "Does the Emperor really live inside here?", "Who will be the next Emperor?", and "What are the features of a Japanese garden?"

They commented, "There is also a monarch back home, but very modest and down-to-earth. The palace is right in the middle of the city and much smaller. The monarch is beloved by all the people."

We moved on to Tsukiji. As always, there were large crowds.

First we visited Tsukiji Uogashi, then the outer market.

I explained about "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji outer market." We looked around various shops, and they bought and sampled tuna sushi and scallops.

There were also questions such as "Why are there so many people here?" and "Do all people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?"

After this, one of the guests wanted to buy a mobile phone battery, so we went to Bic Camera in Yurakucho.

"There is no store back home with such a full range of electronics," they said.

They also commented, "Everyone in Japan is so polite," "The streets are clean and there's no litter scattered around," "Why are there no trash cans?", and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant."

From here we moved to Shimbashi. The guests were going to Tokyo Big Sight to register for the Tokyo Marathon, so I saw them to the ticket gate for the Yurikamome line 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.