Tokyo in Half a Day: Tobu Tojo Line Oyama & Shibuya — Guide Masa

Title: What's a Private Tokyo Walking Tour of Off-the-Beaten-Path Spots Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous night and taken a taxi to their accommodation, a B&B. This time they were on a trip of about two weeks. After staying in Tokyo for one week, they planned to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, and then return to Tokyo before heading home. They said, "We would like to visit spots in Tokyo that not many tourists go to," and also, "We want to learn how to use the subway and trains before we go home." As they seemed tired from the long flight, the tour proceeded at a relaxed pace.

It was a hot, humid day under fine weather.

We met at Oyama Station on the Tobu Tojo Line and first headed to Shinjuku. At the "Midori no Madoguchi" ticket office, everyone purchased Suica cards (including children's fares). After that we went to Kabukicho, strolling through spots such as the "Godzilla Head," "Golden Gai," and "Omoide Yokocho." The guests said, "We're just amazed at how many people there are," and, "But this place feels somehow different from other parts of Tokyo."

We moved to Yoyogi (there had been a request to see Tokyo's designer public toilets), and we visited three of them near Yoyogi. The guests commented, "They're unique and interesting. In Europe there are almost no public toilets, and the ones that exist all charge a fee."

From there we went to Harajuku. I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, and why wine barrels are displayed there. There were questions such as, "What kind of teaching is Shinto?" "When did Shinto originate?" and "How many shrines are there in Japan?" We also strolled along Takeshita Street.

Then to Shibuya. First we took photos at the Scramble Crossing. There was also a question, "Why do so many people gather here?" We took photos in front of the Hachiko statue as well. The guests commented, "It's strange that there is no litter on the streets," "This was our first time riding the subway, and it was very comfortable and convenient," "We're struggling with the heat of the climate," and, "It's quite hard to find a place where all of us can eat together."

We saw them off at Ikebukuro Station and 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.