Tokyo in One Day: Higashi-ginza Station & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Does a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They arrived at Narita Airport the previous evening on a flight via Shanghai, then transferred via the Skyliner and subway to reach their hotel. They planned to stay in Japan for a period of time, spending some days in Tokyo before traveling on to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, and returning home from Kansai Airport. They also planned a day trip to Mount Fuji the following day.

Regarding the destinations, they said, "We'd like to visit the main sightseeing spots in Tokyo. We'll leave the specific choices up to you." The guests spoke among themselves in their own language, but we were able to communicate and hold conversations in English well enough. The weather was unsettled, alternating between sun and clouds, but we avoided any rain and were able to carry out the tour.

We started from Higashi-Ginza Station and headed first to Asakusa. Despite the early morning hour, it was very crowded. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took a commemorative photo in front of Kaminarimon.

There were questions such as "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?" "What religions do other people believe in?" and "How often do Buddhists go to temples?" The guests purchased a "traffic safety" amulet. We strolled leisurely through the Nakamise shopping street, and there was a question about the maneki-neko: "What does it mean?"

We then moved to the Imperial Palace and strolled through the East Gardens. There were comments like "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms" and questions such as "When do the cherry blossoms reach full bloom?" I explained about "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "why the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo." There were comments and questions like "The pine trees are beautiful, like bonsai," "Does the Japanese Emperor hold political power?" and "Is it possible to meet the Emperor?"

We moved on to Harajuku, first visiting Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto and Buddhism," "the torii gate," "Emperor Meiji," "the history of Edo and Tokyo," "the Meiji Restoration," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." There were also questions such as "When did Shinto originate?" and "Who or what is enshrined at a shrine?" After this, we strolled along Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando.

We continued to Shibuya. We viewed the Scramble Crossing and actually walked across it, and there was a question: "Why and for what reason do so many people gather here?" We took a photo of the Hachiko statue and strolled through Center Gai. Along the way, there were many questions about transportation, such as "How to reserve the Shinkansen," "How to get to Nikko," and "How to get to Kamakura."

There were also comments and questions like "The streets are clean with no litter," "Does everyone refrain from littering?" "There are no homeless people around," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" There was also a comment: "No one is chatting on the trains. It's quiet."

We returned to Higashi-Ginza Station and parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day 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.