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

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Including the Imperial Palace, Gotokuji, and Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America, four people in total. The main purpose of this trip to Japan was to board a cruise ship for a tour around Japan starting the day after next. As one member of the group was studying Japanese history at university, the wish to come to Japan was fulfilled with this visit. They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous night and taken a taxi to their hotel. They mentioned that they had strolled around the Ginza area the night before. For the next day, they were planning a day trip to Mount Fuji.

One of the guests expressed a strong wish, saying they loved cats and really wanted to visit Gotokuji Temple.

Unfortunately, it was a tour in the rain. However, the rain stopped in the latter half, and we managed to get through it.

First, we headed to the Imperial Palace. We strolled through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. There were comments such as "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms" and questions like "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 also questions such as "Does the Japanese Emperor hold political power?" and "Were the stone walls all built by hand?"

We transferred between the Odakyu Line and the Tokyu Setagaya Line to reach Gotokuji Temple. Despite the rain, it was quite crowded with many foreign tourists.

One of the guests said, "I'm so happy my wish came true." They purchased a cat figurine and an ema (votive tablet).

We moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto," "torii gates," "Emperor Meiji," and "why wine barrels are displayed here." There was also a question, "When and why did Shinto originate?"

After this, we strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street. They were surprised by the crowds.

Then we went to Shibuya. Since everyone loved sushi, we had lunch at a sushi restaurant in Shibuya. They said, "It's truly fresh and delicious. The price is also extremely reasonable."

After that, we walked across the Scramble Crossing and took photos looking down from the platform entrance of the Keio Inokashira Line. There was a question, "Why do so many people gather here?"

We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue and strolled through Center Gai.

They made comments such as "The streets are clean with no litter," "There are no homeless people to be seen," and "In North America we always traveled by car. This was the first time riding the subway, but it was very comfortable and convenient." However, there was also a comment and question: "Why are there no trash bins on the streets?"

Since they felt the transportation network was difficult to understand, I saw them off at Higashi-ginza Station, and 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.