Tokyo in One Day: Ueno Station & Shinagawa Station — Guide Masa

Private Tokyo Tour Report from a Licensed Guide: A One-Day Itinerary Covering Ueno, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine

The guests were visitors from Europe, and it was their first time in Japan. The main part of their trip was a 14-day cruise from Asia arriving in Japan. They had arrived at Yokohama Port the previous morning and taken a taxi to their hotel in Tokyo. They planned to stay in Tokyo before flying home from Haneda Airport. The day before, after arriving, they had gone to Asakusa for a tea ceremony experience.

The guests requested, "Even if the time at each location is short, we would like to visit as many sightseeing spots as possible." The tour took place under mostly cloudy weather.

After meeting at the hotel, we traveled from Shinagawa Station to Ueno Station.

First, we visited the Tokyo National Museum. The guests were knowledgeable about Japanese history and viewed the "kimono" and "tea ceremony utensils" with particular enthusiasm. They asked questions such as, "Where did the Japanese people come from?" and "Around what time did the samurai emerge?"

We then moved on to the Imperial Palace. I explained "the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "the current challenges facing the Imperial Family." They also asked, "Does the Emperor really live inside here?" and "Does the Emperor hold any political authority?"

The guests requested lunch, so we went to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya. They mentioned, "We are fond of Japanese soba."

Next, we moved to Hamarikyu Gardens. The guests said, "We love Japanese gardens, and we have built a small 'Japanese garden' in our own yard at home." They commented, "It's wonderful that there is such a beautiful Japanese garden in the middle of the city center."

We then moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I explained "what Shinto is" and "the difference between Shinto and Buddhism," as well as information about "Emperor Meiji." They remarked, "It's wonderful that there is such a green place here as well."

They also commented, "The subway is far more advanced than the one in London," "The city is clean and there is no litter on the streets," "There are no trash cans on the streets," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant, quite different from London."

I saw them off at Shinagawa 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.