Tokyo in One Day: Shin-Okubo Station & Tokyo Station — Guide Masa

What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, and it was their first time in Japan. They arrived at Narita Airport the previous evening and transferred via the Narita Express to their hotel. They mentioned that their arrival had been significantly delayed due to a typhoon.

They planned to stay in Japan for about two weeks. After Tokyo, they intended to travel to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima before returning to Tokyo and heading home.

One of the guests requested, "Please walk slowly, as walking is a bit difficult for me." Another commented, "It is winter now where we come from, so the heat and humidity in Tokyo are quite overwhelming."

Amid the intense heat, we took many breaks throughout the tour.

Before departing, the guests requested, "We did not exchange our Suica cards at the airport, so we would like to buy one first," and "We would also like to reserve JR Shinkansen tickets to Osaka and other destinations first," so we went to the station travel concierge.

First, we visited the Tsukiji Outer Market. Although it was a market holiday, it was as crowded as usual. I explained about "Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple," "the history of Tsukiji Market," and "the difference from Toyosu Market." The guests asked, "Why are there so many people here? Is it always like this?" and commented, "There is a fish market where we come from, but it is not nearly this large."

We then moved to Asakusa. I explained "an overview of Japanese history," "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." The guests asked questions such as, "What kind of religion and teaching is Buddhism?" "Do all Japanese people follow Buddhism?" and "What is the purpose of the five-story pagoda?"

We returned to Ueno Station, where we rested and had a light meal in the station.

The guests expressed a wish to "see an old Japanese townscape," so we went to Yanaka and Nezu. At Yanaka Ginza, one guest commented, "For some reason, I really like shopping streets like this." At Nezu Shrine, the group slowly passed through the torii gates and took many commemorative photos.

Afterward, we moved to the Imperial Palace and walked around the East Gardens, though part of the group rested at a rest area during this time. I explained "the history of the move from Edo to Tokyo," "the Meiji Restoration," and "the current Imperial Household." There were also questions such as, "Does the Emperor really live inside here?"

The guests also commented, "The whole city is clean, with no litter on the streets," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant."

Due to fatigue from the night before, the guests said they wished to return to their hotel, so I saw them off from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku 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.