Tokyo in One Day: Roppongi Station & Harajuku Station — Guide Masa

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

The guests were a group visiting from North America, all visiting Japan for the first time. Originally from Asia, they had moved to North America and returned home to Asia every year, but this was their first trip to Japan. They arrived at Haneda Airport on a direct flight the previous evening and took a taxi to their Hotel. The previous night, they strolled around the area near their Hotel and enjoyed grilled meat for dinner. This visit was an 8-day trip. They planned a day trip to Kyoto the day after next, but otherwise intended to explore only Tokyo and its surroundings. They said, "We want to visit as many places as possible in Tokyo." They also said, "We want to try and enjoy many different kinds of Japanese food." Although the sky was cloudy, we were able to make our way around without any rain during the tour.

First, we headed from the Hotel to Tsukiji. I explained "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There were questions such as "Why are there so many people here?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" We strolled leisurely, and the guests purchased and sampled items such as dried squid, fried sweet potato, and matcha ice cream. We also strolled inside Tsukiji Uogashi.

We moved on to Asakusa, which as always was very crowded, with many foreign tour groups and school excursion students in particular. Starting from the front of Kaminarimon, I explained "the history of Sensoji Temple and of Edo becoming Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos many times, in front of Kaminarimon, in front of the five-story pagoda, and elsewhere. One of the guests drew an omikuji fortune and was disappointed to get a "bad luck" result. There were questions such as "What are the main religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?" There was also a question, "Do people go to temples every week?"

We moved to Akihabara, where I explained the history of the area. One of the guests wanted to buy a camera and looked around eagerly, planning to return another day. From here we moved to Shibuya. Since they wanted to eat ramen, we went to a ramen restaurant for lunch. Afterward, we took photos at the Scramble Crossing, and there was a question, "Why do so many people gather here?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. Since they wanted to buy tickets for their upcoming travel, we went to Shinjuku Station.

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 questions such as "What kind of teaching is Shinto?", "When did Shinto originate?", "How many shrines are there in Japan?", and "What is the difference between Buddhism and Shinto?" There were also comments and questions such as "It's amazing there's no trash on the streets," "Does no one throw away trash on the streets?", and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?"

I saw them off at Roppongi 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.