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

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo's Main Sights? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They arrived at Haneda Airport last night via London and took a taxi to their hotel. This trip was part of a longer journey, and in Japan they planned to stay in Tokyo before visiting Nagano, Kamikochi, Hida-Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima. Their wish for today was: "We would like to see only the main spots of Tokyo." They also mentioned that they planned to attend a "sumo show" in the evening.

Due to the influence of a typhoon/tropical depression, the tour took place under hot and humid weather with occasional heavy rain.

From Higashi-Ginza Station, we first headed to Tsukiji. Although it was a closed market day, it was fairly crowded. We went to the outer market. I explained "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." After that, we strolled slowly through the area. Some tuna sushi and grilled squid teriyaki were purchased and sampled in the shop. Strawberry mochi was also purchased to take away. There was a question: "Do all people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?"

Next, we went to Asakusa. Despite the bad weather, it was as crowded as ever with large numbers of people. We started from the front of the Kaminarimon Gate. I explained "the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos in front of the Kaminarimon Gate and strolled slowly through the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are Japan's main religions?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?"

Since there was a wish to "buy anime goods as souvenirs," we went to the Akihabara electric town. I explained "the history of the electric town." A Pokemon figure was purchased.

We moved to Hibiya for lunch. After looking around at Hibiya Chanter, we went to a Japanese restaurant, where udon and tonkatsu were chosen.

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?", and "How many shrines are there in Japan?" We also strolled along Takeshita Street.

We went to Shibuya. We walked across the Scramble Crossing and took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. We also visited Tokyu Food Show. There were comments and questions such as "Tokyo felt like a clean and extremely safe city," "Why are there no trash bins in the streets?", and "I think the Tokyo subway is very well designed."

I saw the guests 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.