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

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

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America on a trip to Japan. They had arrived the previous morning on a direct flight to Narita Airport and taken a taxi to their hotel. While waiting for check-in time, they took a taxi to Ginza and strolled around the area. Their suitcases had not arrived (they were told by the airline that the bags would be delivered to their hotel two days later).

This time, the guests were staying in Japan for ten days, with only two days in Tokyo. Afterward, they planned to visit Kyoto and Osaka, then fly from Kansai Airport to another destination, where they would stay for about a week before returning home. They said they wanted to enjoy a variety of Japanese cuisine.

It was a tour under clear skies with weather warm enough to feel hot.

Since they wanted to reserve Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto, we first went to the JR-EAST Travel Service Center at Ueno Station.

After that, we continued on to Asakusa. As always, there was a huge crowd. We started from in front of the Kaminarimon Gate. I explained "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 the Kaminarimon Gate and the five-story pagoda, and they purchased a good-health amulet. There were questions such as "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?" "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" "Are there Catholics in Japan?" and "Does everyone go to a temple every week?"

We moved on to the Imperial Palace and strolled around the East Gardens. There were comments such as "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms" and questions like "Around when do the cherry blossoms reach full bloom?" I explained "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 questions such as "Does the Emperor of Japan hold any political power?"

We moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained "about Shinto," "about the torii gate," "about Emperor Meiji," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." There were also questions such as "What kind of teachings does Shinto have?" and "Around when and why did Shinto originate?" We took a break at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu.

After this, we strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street. Here too, they were surprised by the size of the crowds.

We headed to Shibuya. First, we crossed the Scramble Crossing on foot, then took photos looking down from the entrance to the Keio Inokashira Line platform. There was a question such as "Why do so many people gather here?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue and strolled through Center Gai. Since they wanted to eat ramen, we went to a ramen restaurant. There were comments and questions such as "It's amazing that there's no trash on the streets. In our home country the streets are full of garbage." "Does no one throw trash on the ground?" "We always travel by car back home. This was our first time on a subway, and it was very comfortable and convenient." and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?"

Since they said it was hard to figure out how to get back to their hotel, I saw them off at the hotel in Takeshiba, 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.