Tokyo in One Day: Kinshicho Station & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group of three visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had arrived at Narita Airport on a direct flight two days earlier and taken a taxi to their Hotel. They planned to stay in Japan for a total of ten days. The previous day they had made a day trip to Mount Fuji, and the following day they planned to visit Disneyland. After that, they intended to travel around Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka before departing from Kansai Airport. Their request for the day was: "We would like to visit as many famous spots in Tokyo as possible. We don't need lunch along the way." Although the sky was cloudy, we were spared any rain, and it turned into a fast-paced tour.

First, we went to Asakusa. Despite the early hour, there was a bigger crowd than I had imagined, though most of the shops along Nakamise shopping street were still closed. I explained about Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo, what a five-story pagoda is, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon Gate and at various spots, as one of the guests loved taking pictures. There were questions such as: "How many people in Japan believe in Buddhism?" "What other religions are practiced?" "Do people who believe in Buddhism go to the temple every week?" The guests drew omikuji fortunes, and were a bit disappointed with the results. One of the guests purchased a large number of omamori charms as souvenirs for relatives.

We then moved to the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi area. At Yanaka Ginza, I explained the origins of "Fujimizaka" and "Yanaka Ginza." We moved on to Nezu Shrine, which was very crowded due to the "Azalea Festival." I again explained about Shinto. At the torii gates of the Inari shrine, the guests once again spent time taking photos, and said they were looking forward to visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto.

We moved to Tsukiji, which as always was crowded with a large number of people. We first visited "Tsukiji Uogashi" and then went to 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. After looking around various shops, the guests took a liking to "ichigo daifuku" and bought some. There were questions such as: "Why are there so many people here?" "This is the first time I've seen real wasabi." "Can you eat bamboo shoots?" "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?"

We moved to Harajuku, first going to Meiji Shrine. I explained about Shinto and Buddhism, about torii gates, about 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?" "Why aren't the torii gates painted red?" After that, we strolled along Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando. Along the way, the guests eagerly filmed a "3D commercial screen."

We moved to Shibuya. After looking at the Scramble Crossing, we actually walked across it, and there were questions such as: "Why and for what purpose do so many people gather here?" "When did it become famous?" "Are they all locals?" We took photos of the Hachiko statue and strolled along Center Gai. There were comments and questions such as: "There's no litter on the streets, it's so clean." "Why are there no trash bins on the streets?" "There are no homeless people. In our area, the number of homeless people has been increasing rapidly recently." There was also a comment: "It's quiet inside the trains. No one is talking loudly."

We saw the guests off from Shibuya to Kinshicho Station, where we 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.