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

Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. One of the guests had a strong interest in Japanese railways and subways. This was a two-week trip to Japan. They planned to climb Mount Fuji over the next couple of days, then travel to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima before returning to Tokyo and heading home.

They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening, taking a limousine bus to the hotel. The night before, they had strolled around Kabukicho. Their wish was to visit as many of Tokyo's main spots as time allowed. The tour took place under clear skies in intense summer heat.

We met at the hotel.

From Shinjuku Station, we first headed to the Tsukiji market. It was a closed day, so about half of the shops were closed, but the area was still overflowing with many tourists. I explained "the history of Tokyo's fish markets since the Edo period" and "the difference between the Toyosu market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There were also questions and comments such as "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It's crowded, but it seems like there are a lot of tourists after all."

After this, we moved to Asakusa. As always, it was crowded with many tourists. I explained "the history of Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple."

We then set off from in front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained "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 the five-story pagoda. We slowly strolled through the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", "What other religions do people believe in besides Buddhism?", and "Are there Christians in Japan?"

We moved to the Imperial Palace. I explained "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," and "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace." There were questions such as "What happened to the shogun and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?", "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold any political power?", and "Who is the next Emperor?" Within the East Gardens, the guests enthusiastically took photos all around.

We moved to Harajuku. First, we went to Meiji Shrine. There were many groups of foreign visitors. I explained "about Shinto," "about the torii gate," "about Emperor Meiji," "why sake barrels are displayed," and "why wine barrels are displayed." There were questions such as "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" and "When was Shinto established?" We rested for a while at the Meiji Shrine café terrace.

We then strolled along Takeshita Street before heading to Shibuya. First, we took photos looking down at Scramble Square from the platform of the Keio Inokashira Line, then actually crossed the intersection. There were also 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 and strolled through Center Street.

There were comments and questions such as "The subway system is exceptionally well developed, and I was impressed. It's far more advanced than the New York subway," "Tokyo feels like a clean and safe city," "Is eating and drinking allowed on the subway?", and "There's no litter on the streets, so why aren't there any trash cans?"

I saw them off at Shinjuku 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.