Tokyo in One Day: Otemachi Station & Hamamatsucho Station — Guide Masa

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group of friends from North America, all visiting Japan for the first time.

This visit to Japan was for a total of two weeks. After arriving at Narita Airport, they went straight to the Kansai region, visiting Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. They came to Tokyo the previous day.

In the morning, the guests visited teamLab. Afterward, we met at its entrance.

They said, "We don't need lunch. We'd like to visit as many places as possible, even if only briefly at each." It was a tour under clear skies.

First, we went to the Imperial Palace.

I explained topics such as "From the Edo period to the Meiji era," "About the Meiji Restoration," "Why did Edo Castle become the Imperial Palace?" and "Current challenges facing the Imperial Household."

The guests remarked, "The pine trees are beautiful." They also asked questions such as "This is different from the imperial site we visited in Kyoto," and "Does the Emperor really live inside here?"

Because of the closing time, we then moved to Harajuku.

I again explained "About the Meiji Restoration," "About Emperor Meiji," and "Why are wine barrels displayed here?"

The guests said, "It's wonderful that there is such a green place in the middle of the city. It feels great."

We moved to Shinjuku.

I explained "The history of Shinjuku" and "Golden Gai."

The guests commented, "It has a different atmosphere from the other places."

We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I again explained "About the Meiji Restoration," "About Emperor Meiji," and "Why are wine barrels displayed here?"

The guests said, "Here too, it's wonderful that there is such a green place in the middle of the city. It feels great," and "How large is this area?"

We then moved on to Shibuya.

The guests experienced the Scramble Crossing.

They also asked, "Why are there so many people here? Are there more Japanese people, or more tourists?"

They also commented, "Everyone in Japan is truly polite," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" "The subway is very well made, but it's hard to understand until you get used to it," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant. We don't have this back home."

I saw the guests off at Hamamatsucho Station, ending the tour.

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.