Tokyo in One Day: Kokuritsu-Kyogijo & Shinjuku-sanchome — Guide Masa

Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo by Subway? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, arriving from North America. This visit was part of an international trip lasting about a month. After starting in Oceania, they traveled through Asia, and early this morning they arrived at Narita Airport. They planned to stay in Japan for eight days, with only two days in Tokyo, after which they intended to visit Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara before returning to Tokyo and then heading home.

Their flight had arrived about four hours late, and the taxi from Narita was caught in traffic, so it took about two hours to reach the Hotel, leaving them somewhat tired. They set off shortly after checking in.

Today's request was: "We would like to see the main spots in Tokyo while learning how to use the subway."

Regarding the meeting point, the day before there was an e-mail request to change it from one hotel to another.

Also, the previous evening at 19:30, there was an e-mail asking, "Our flight may be delayed, so could you move the tour to Tuesday the 28th?" However, later, via messaging app, there was a follow-up saying, "It looks like the flight will make it in time after all, so please keep the tour date as it is."

Unlike the day before, the tour took place under clear skies.

First, we headed to Tsukiji. As always, it was crowded with tourists. I explained the "history of Tokyo's fish market since the Edo period" and the "difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There were questions and comments such as "Do all people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?" and "It's crowded, but it does look like there are a lot of tourists." There was also a question: "Can we see the tuna cutting show?"

They wanted to have coffee, so we bought some at a café.

We moved to Tokyo Tower. Walking around the main deck, I explained the main buildings and other sights, as well as the "history from Edo to Tokyo." There were questions such as "What is the population of Tokyo?" "What is the population of Japan?" and "How large is Tokyo?" One comment was: "I really understand now that Tokyo is a widely spread-out city. New York is a more compact city."

We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, 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 "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How does Buddhism differ from Shinto?"

After a break at the café near Meiji Shrine, we also strolled through Takeshita Street and Cat Street.

From here we moved toward Shinjuku. However, upon arriving at Shinjuku-sanchome Station, there was a request: "We couldn't sleep on the plane last night and are quite exhausted, so we'd like to head back to the hotel from here and rest." I offered to accompany them by train and see them off at the hotel, but they said, "According to Google Maps, we can walk back from here in 30 minutes. We're confident in our legs, so we'll walk back." We exchanged words a few times, but they insisted, "We really want to walk back," so we reluctantly parted ways at the station entrance.

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.