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

What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, and Tokyo Tower

The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe. One member of the group had previously visited Japan several times for work-related travel, while the others were visiting Japan for the first time.

They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous day via a connecting flight, then taken the Narita Express to Shibuya and their hotel. In the evening they explored the streets of Shibuya and had ramen for dinner.

They planned to stay in Japan for twelve days. After spending three days in Tokyo, they would travel to Kyoto and Osaka, and then return to Tokyo before heading home.

They mentioned they planned to visit Disneyland the next day.

They requested, "We purchased a JR Pass, so we would like to travel by JR as much as possible."

The tour took place in rainy weather.

Asakusa was very crowded. They asked questions such as "When was this temple built?" "Why are there so many people here?" and "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?"

They also asked, "What kind of teachings does Buddhism have?"

One of the guests drew an omikuji fortune and was delighted to get a "good luck" result.

At the Tsukiji Outer Market, they enthusiastically looked around everywhere and purchased "bean confections" and "strawberry mochi."

They also sampled "grilled beef skewers."

They commented, "For a fish market, it's very clean and tidy."

They also asked, "Why are there so many people here? Is it always like this?" and "Do all these people come here to buy fish?"

At Meiji Shrine, they asked, "What is this torii gate for?" "What kind of teachings does Shinto have?" and "How is Buddhism different from Shinto?"

They also asked, "What was the power relationship between the Emperor and the Shogun?" "Do Japanese people respect the Emperor and the Imperial family?" and "Why did the Meiji Restoration happen?"

We took a light meal and rested at the café near Meiji Shrine.

We strolled along Takeshita Street. They said, "We'd like to come to a cat café tomorrow."

After that, we moved on to Tokyo Tower.

They said, "Now I really understand what a vast city Tokyo is."

They also commented, "The whole city is clean and beautiful," and "The subway is quiet and no one is being noisy. However, it's so complex that it's hard to understand."

Since they said, "We're tired and would like to return to the hotel to rest for now," I saw them off at Shibuya 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.