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

What Does a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Harajuku, and Shibuya

The guests were visitors from North America, both visiting Japan for the first time. This time they were on a two-week trip to Japan. The previous evening, they arrived at Haneda Airport via a connecting flight, then took a taxi to their hotel. After staying in Tokyo for a few days, they plan to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, and then return home after coming back to Tokyo. The previous night they strolled around Ginza and enjoyed yakiniku. It was a tour under hot and humid conditions.

From Ginza Station, we first headed to Tsukiji. The guests said, "We're looking forward to eating sushi, so we skipped breakfast," so we first went to a sushi restaurant. They enjoyed a large amount of sushi. After this, we went to the Tsukiji Outer Market. I explained "the history of Tokyo's fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." We also purchased and sampled grilled eel, Kobe beef skewers, and strawberry daifuku. There were questions and comments such as "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It's crowded, but it seems like there are many tourists."

We moved to Asakusa. As always, it was crowded with large numbers of people. Starting from the front of Kaminarimon Gate, I explained "the history of Senso-ji 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 Kaminarimon Gate and slowly strolled along the Nakamise shopping street. 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?"

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 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.

Then to Shibuya. First, we took photos looking down at Scramble Square from the entrance of the Keio Inokashira Line platform, and then actually crossed the scramble intersection. There was also a question: "Why do so many people gather here?" We took photos in front of the Hachiko statue as well. There were questions and comments such as "Tokyo felt like a clean and extremely safe city, even at night," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?", "I think Tokyo's subway system is extremely well made," and "The public toilets are wonderful."

I saw them off at Ginza Station, ending the tour.

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.