Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Main Gate & Tokyo — Guide Masa

What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of East Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America, all traveling to Japan for the first time. They planned the trip around a summer holiday.

The group had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening on a direct flight, and took a taxi to their hotel in Ginza. That night they strolled around Ginza and enjoyed grilled meat (yakiniku) for dinner.

They planned to stay in Japan for about two weeks. The next day they were planning a day trip to Mount Fuji, along with a visit to DisneySea. After that, they intended to travel around Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Sasebo before returning to Tokyo and heading home.

They expressed a wish: "Today we would mainly like to explore the eastern side of Tokyo." It was a cloudy day, but the tour was carried out without any rain.

After walking around the grounds of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, we headed to the Tsukiji Outer Market. Although it was a closed day, about half of the shops were open. I explained "the history of the Edo/Tokyo fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There was a question: "Do all people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?" We strolled leisurely, and they purchased and sampled dried squid, strawberry candy, matcha ice cream, and more.

After purchasing SUICA cards at the JR ticket office at Ueno Station, we went to Asakusa. As always, there was a large crowd, with many foreign tour groups and school trip students in particular. Starting from in front of Kaminarimon Gate, I explained "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took a commemorative photo in front of Kaminarimon Gate, and they bought a T-shirt as a souvenir on Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the major 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: "Does everyone go to temples every week?"

We moved to Rikugien Garden in Komagome (there had been a wish to see a beautiful Japanese garden). There were comments and questions such as "This is a truly beautiful garden. I'd like to make one in my own yard," "It's a shame we can't see the weeping cherry blossoms," and "Do pine trees naturally grow bent like this?"

We then moved to Nippori and strolled around Yanaka Ginza (there had been a wish to see the old townscape of Tokyo). They were delighted to find cat figurines.

After this, we moved to Nezu Shrine. I explained "the history of Nezu Shrine" and "Inari shrines." Passing through the torii gates, they said, "We also plan to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto."

We moved to the Imperial Palace and strolled around the East Gardens. There was a question: "When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms?" I explained "the history of Edo," "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 "What happened to the shogun and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?" and "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?"

There was a wish: "We'd like to eat sushi for lunch. For dinner tonight we're planning yakitori," so we went to Hibiya Chanter. There were comments and questions such as "It's amazing there's no litter on the streets," "Doesn't anyone throw trash on the street?", and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" They also said, "The Tokyo subway felt safe and convenient. No one talks loudly," and "The public restrooms are excellent."

They said they wanted to go to Tokyo Station, so I saw them off at Tokyo 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.