Tokyo in One Day: Departure: Tokyo & Gaiemmae — Guide Masa

Can You See Tokyo's Top Spots in One Day? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report from Tokyo Station

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. The main purpose of this visit to Japan was a round-Japan cruise departing from Yokohama Port.

The guests had boarded a 12-day round-Japan cruise from Yokohama Port, mainly circling northern Japan, and returned to Yokohama Port this morning.

This morning, they traveled from Yokohama Port to Tokyo Station by Shinkansen. After leaving their suitcases in temporary storage, we met up at the hotel adjacent to Tokyo Station.

Today, after the tour, they would stay one night at a hotel in Asakusa. The following day, they planned to board a southern-route cruise departing from Yokohama, enjoy another 12-day journey, and then return home from Haneda Airport.

Their request was: "We'd like to see the main spots in Tokyo at a brisk pace."

It was a tour under clear skies but in slightly chilly weather.

First, in line with their request, we went to a tall observation deck. There was a long line of tourists.

As we made a loop around the observation deck, I explained the prominent spots around the city.

They remarked, "Tokyo is vast," and "Now I really understand that Tokyo is a city that stretches out enormously."

They asked questions about "the population of Tokyo," "the average annual income of people living in Tokyo," and "rent within the city."

We moved to the east exit of Shinjuku.

I explained "the origins of Shinjuku," "the difference between the east and west sides of Shinjuku," and "the history of Kabukicho."

We strolled through "Omoide Yokocho," "Kabukicho," and "Shinjuku Golden Gai" in turn.

The "cat billboard" seemed to be a favorite, and it was photographed enthusiastically. There was a comment that "some litter is scattered around."

At "Shinjuku Golden Gai," almost all the shops were closed, but several groups of tourists were strolling through.

We moved to Harajuku.

At Meiji Shrine, I explained "about Shinto," "about torii gates," "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 is Buddhism different from Shinto?"

After a break at the cafe terrace at Meiji Shrine, we also strolled along Takeshita Street.

Regarding "pet cafes," the comment was, "We're not particularly fond of them."

We actually crossed the Scramble Square crossing. There were also questions like "Why do so many people gather here?" and "Why did it become famous?"

We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

We moved from Shibuya to Gaienmae.

Unfortunately, the ginkgo trees lining the avenue were still almost entirely "green."

We strolled slowly along the avenue and took photos.

We returned from Gaienmae Station to Tokyo Station and picked up the luggage. I explained the route to Asakusa, and we parted ways here.

There were also comments and questions such as "The town is clean and there's no litter on the ground," "The inside of the trains is very quiet," and "Is it safe to walk around late at night?"

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.