Tokyo in One Day: Shin-okachimachi & Shinjuku-nishiguchi — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See in One Day in Tokyo? A Licensed Private Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Shibuya, and Shinjuku

The guest was a visitor from Oceania, on their first trip to Japan. They were part of a group tour of about 40 people visiting Japan. The group had arrived at Narita Airport the previous evening and traveled to the hotel by bus. This morning, the group toured the Imperial Palace, Nijubashi Bridge, and Meiji Shrine by group bus. The overall trip to Japan was 12 days, with only this single day spent in Tokyo. From tomorrow, they planned to visit Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, before returning to Tokyo and then heading home. The request was, "I would like to see the main spots in the city as much as time allows." The tour took place under intensely hot and humid weather.

We met at the hotel. The tour had been planned for the group, but as one of them was unwell and could not participate, the tour proceeded with one guest.

First, we went to Tsukiji Market. Some shops were already preparing to close. After visiting Tsukiji Uogashi, we moved on 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." It was quite crowded. The guest asked and commented, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It is crowded, but it seems there are many tourists." Since they had not yet had lunch, they bought and sampled "tuna sushi" while standing.

We moved on to Asakusa. As always, it was very crowded. We started from in front of 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 Kaminarimon Gate and also in front of the five-story pagoda. We strolled slowly along the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the main religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?", and "Are there Christians in Japan?"

We moved on to Shibuya. First, we took photos looking down on Scramble Square from the platform of the Keio Inokashira Line, then actually crossed the intersection. There were questions such as "Why do so many people gather here?" and "Are there more locals or more tourists?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

From here, we moved on to Shinjuku Sanchome. I explained "the origins and history of Shinjuku" and "the difference between the east and west sides of the station." We walked around and explored Shinjuku Golden Gai, Kabukicho, the Godzilla Head, and Omoide Yokocho. The guest enthusiastically took video of the "3D cat display." There were comments and questions such as "I felt Tokyo is a clean and safe city" and "Why are there no trash bins around the streets?"

As the guest said, "I am not sure how to ride the subway, so please take me back to the hotel," I saw them to Shin-Okachimachi 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.