Tokyo in Half a Day: Shinjuku-sanchome & Shibuya — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Skytree, Asakusa, Ueno, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. It was everyone's first visit to Japan. They had arrived about two weeks earlier and had already traveled around Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara before coming to Tokyo. They arrived in Tokyo this morning and took a taxi to their Hotel. They planned to stay in Japan for a total of about two weeks.

Tonight they were scheduled to join a Shinjuku Golden Gai tour, tomorrow they would visit Tokyo Disneyland, and the day after they planned to fly home. The tour took place under cloudy skies but in weather that was almost hot.

We proceeded slowly as a group, walking at a gentle pace, and used elevators and escalators whenever possible.

First, following their request, we headed to Tokyo Skytree. It was surprisingly uncrowded. Everyone went up to the Top Deck, while I waited at the exit. They said, "We got a great sense of the layout of Tokyo." However, they added, "It was cloudy, so unfortunately we couldn't see Mount Fuji."

After this, we went to Asakusa. As always, it was extremely crowded, with school excursion students especially noticeable. We started from in front of the Kaminarimon Gate. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto."

We took commemorative photos at the Kaminarimon Gate and various other spots, and strolled slowly through the crowded Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the main religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" Everyone purchased protective charms as souvenirs.

We went to Ueno Park. They said, "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms," but the hydrangeas were in full bloom and they enjoyed them.

We moved on to Shibuya. Here, there was suddenly a thunderstorm. We looked at Shibuya Scramble Square and then walked across the crossing in the light rain. There were questions such as "About how many people cross here?" and "Why did it become so famous?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

There were comments and questions such as "The streets are so clean and there's no litter," and "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?"

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.