Tokyo in One Day: Tameike-Sanno & Shinjuku — Guide Masa

What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, Harajuku, and Shinjuku

The guests were friends visiting Japan for the first time from North America.

Another member of the group had been expected to join but had to cancel just before the trip due to a sudden illness, so the guests came on their own.

The main purpose of this visit to Japan was a three-week round-Japan cruise departing from the Tokyo International Terminal, starting the day after next.

The guests said they were looking forward to meeting relatives in Hakodate.

Unfortunately, the tour took place in the rain.

First, we headed to Asakusa.

Despite the rain, it was very crowded. 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 a commemorative photo in front of Kaminarimon Gate.

There were questions such as "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", "What do other people believe in?", and "How often do Buddhists go to temples?"

The guests purchased a good-luck charm for recovery from illness.

We strolled leisurely through the Nakamise shopping street. There was a question about the meaning of the maneki-neko (beckoning cat).

We moved to Tsukiji. This too was very crowded despite the rain. 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." We browsed various shops and ended up sampling fresh oysters.

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

We moved to Harajuku.

First, we visited Meiji Shrine.

I explained about "Shinto and Buddhism," "torii gates," "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 in a shrine?"

After this, we strolled through the crowded Takeshita Street.

We headed to Shinjuku.

There was a request to have sushi during the day, so we went to Tsukiji Sushisei for a late lunch.

The guests said they were very satisfied with the price and freshness.

We strolled through Golden Gai, Kabukicho, and Omoide Yokocho. The guests said they intended to come back here again the next evening.

There were comments and questions such as "The streets are clean with no litter. Does someone always clean, or does no one drop trash?", "We don't see any homeless people," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?"

There was also a comment that "No one is chatting on the trains."

I saw them off at Tameike-Sanno 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.