Tokyo in One Day: Shibuya & Meiji-jingumae — Guide Masa

A One-Day Private Tokyo Tour: A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Ueno, and Meiji Shrine

[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides led a private one-day tour of Tokyo for the guests, who were visiting Japan from North America. It was their first time in Japan, and this trip to Japan was to celebrate a special occasion, as one of the guests had strongly wished to visit Japan. The overall trip lasted 14 days, with only part of it spent in Tokyo. After Tokyo, they planned to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima before returning to Tokyo and then heading home.

The temperature was low, but the tour took place under clear skies.

The guests requested to visit the major spots in Tokyo, noting a love of history and that the Tokyo National Museum was a must.

First, we went to Tsukiji. I explained the history of Tokyo's fish market since the Edo period, and the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. As always, it was extremely crowded. The guests asked, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and commented, "It is crowded, but it does seem there are many tourists." They wanted to try sushi, so we purchased and sampled standing-style tuna sushi.

We moved on to Ueno and visited the Tokyo National Museum, which was also very crowded. The guests were interested in Japanese history, especially kabuki, and mentioned they planned to go to the Kabukiza Theatre the next day. I explained an overview of gagaku, noh, and kabuki.

Back inside Ueno Station, we had a light lunch at a café.

From Nippori Station, we strolled through Yanaka Ginza, which was also crowded with tourists for some reason. The guests said it was nice to see the atmosphere of an old-style shopping street in Tokyo.

We stopped by Nezu Shrine, and the guests were delighted to walk through the red torii gates.

We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, why sake barrels are displayed, and why wine barrels are displayed as well. The guests asked, "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How does Buddhism differ from Shinto?"

After resting at the café terrace at Meiji Shrine, we strolled along Takeshita Street. One of the guests had really been looking forward to this, and purchased a large number of T-shirts, socks, and shoes at various shops.

We returned to Shibuya and parted ways in front of the station.

The guests commented, "The city is clean and there is no litter on the ground," "I was surprised at how clean the public restrooms are," and "No one is being noisy on the trains."

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.