Tokyo in One Day: Daikanyama Station & Shinjuku Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Shinjuku

The guests were a group visiting from North America. One of the guests was visiting Japan for the second time, while the others were visiting for the first time. This time they were on a longer trip, staying in Tokyo before continuing to Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, and then returning to Tokyo before heading home. The previous afternoon they had arrived at Haneda Airport on a direct flight and taken a taxi to their accommodation. The night before, they had strolled around the neighborhood, shopped at a convenience store, and enjoyed ramen for dinner.

It was a tour under fine but hot and humid weather.

We traveled from Daikanyama Station via Shibuya Station to Asakusa. As always, it was crowded with large numbers of visitors. We started in front of Kaminarimon Gate, and 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 commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon and strolled leisurely along the 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?"

We then moved to Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, passing by Tokyo Dome. "This is the first time seeing a real Japanese garden, and it is truly wonderful," the guests said, taking photos in many spots. (A visit to the Imperial Palace was originally requested, but since the East Gardens were closed that day, we changed the plan.)

Next we moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained "about Shinto," "about torii gates," "about Emperor Meiji," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." There were questions such as "What kind of teaching is Shinto?", "Around when did Shinto originate?", and "How many shrines are there in Japan?" We also strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street, where they bought and tasted strawberry candy.

Tired from the heat, we took a break with a light lunch. The guests seemed interested in "Tokyu Plaza" and said they would return the next day.

From there we moved to Shinjuku. I explained "the origins and history of Shinjuku" and "the differences between the east and west sides of the station." We walked around and explored "Shinjuku Golden Gai" (where several groups of overseas travelers were also strolling), the Godzilla Head, and Omoide Yokocho. The guests remarked, "This whole area feels different from other neighborhoods," and "I'd like to come back here at night."

There were also comments and questions such as "Tokyo feels clean and extremely safe," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?", "I think the Tokyo subway is extremely well made," and "The public restrooms are wonderful."

I saw them off at Daikanyama 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.