Tokyo in One Day: Shiodome & Mitsukoshimae — Guide Masa

Tour Title: What Can You See on a Private History and Craft Walking Tour of Central Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group of friends visiting from Europe. It was everyone's first visit to Japan.

They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous evening and made their way to their hotel via the Narita Express and other connections.

They planned to stay in Japan for a total of three weeks. After spending four days in Tokyo, they intended to travel to the Kansai area, staying one night at Koyasan, then touring Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima, before returning to Tokyo and flying home.

They said, "We finally managed to book a night's stay at a temple in Koyasan. We're really looking forward to it, but we were surprised that the accommodation cost was higher than expected."

They expressed the following wish: "We're not interested in the places general tourists go. We're interested in Japanese history, historic buildings, traditional handicrafts, techniques, and also origami."

They also said, "It's so hot and humid, completely different from home, so we're really struggling."

In the intense heat, the tour proceeded with many rest breaks.

First, we went to the Tsukiji Outer Market.

I explained "the history of Tsukiji Market" and "the difference from Toyosu Market."

There were also questions such as "Why are there so many people here? Is it always like this?" and "Do all the people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?"

We moved on to the Imperial Palace.

I explained "the history of the move from Edo to Tokyo," "the Meiji Restoration," and "the current Imperial Family."

There were also questions such as "Does the Emperor really live inside here?" and "Why did the castle become the Imperial Palace?"

They said, "The Japanese garden is wonderful. At home, we grow bonsai."

After viewing the Nijubashi Bridge, we walked a full circuit of the East Gardens, exited toward Takebashi Station, and went to Nihonbashi.

After viewing a kimono exhibition at a building, we visited Kiya Honten, Hakuza Nihonbashi, and Ninben Nihonbashi Honten. They seemed particularly drawn to Kiya's kitchen knives and Hakuza's fine gold craftwork and artisan pieces, and viewed them at a leisurely pace.

As they said they were hungry, we had lunch at a nearby seafood rice bowl restaurant.

After this, we entered Mitsukoshi Main Store. They said, "There's no department store this splendid in our country," and they took their time looking around the store, seeming to especially like the food floor and confectionery section in the basement.

Afterward, we visited Ozu Washi, where they experienced Japanese washi papermaking and origami making.

Under the strict guidance of the staff, they worked hard and took home the Japanese washi paper and the crane origami they had made.

They said, "The history of washi is wonderful," and purchased several washi postcards as souvenirs.

They also commented, "The city is so clean. There's no litter on the ground." "There are no trash cans in the city, why is that?" "The public toilets are clean and pleasant." "The subway is quiet and clean, though there is no subway back home."

As they were not sure how to get back to the hotel, I saw them off at Shiodome 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.