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

Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Harajuku, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was a short stay in Japan of about one week. They planned to visit the Imperial Palace the next day and to have whale-meat cuisine for dinner, followed by a day trip to Mount Fuji the day after, and then a two-day stay in Kyoto before returning to Tokyo and heading home.

They had arrived at Narita Airport the day before, taking the Narita Express to Shinjuku. The previous evening they explored the west exit area of Shinjuku and enjoyed ramen for dinner. Despite the short stay, they said they wanted to enjoy as much Japanese food as possible before returning home.

The tour took place in warm and pleasant weather.

We met in front of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, walked around the grounds, and then headed to the Tsukiji Outer Market. As always, it was very crowded. I explained the "history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." After first enjoying coffee at a café, we walked around the market.

They tried fresh raw oysters (remarking, "I've never seen such large oysters before"), and also bought and sampled strawberry candy. They asked, "Why are there so many people here?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?"

Since they really wanted to have sushi there, we went to a sushi restaurant. We had to wait a little, but were able to enjoy sushi. They commented that "the fish was fresh and beautifully prepared, and the prices were extremely reasonable."

I explained about "Senso-ji Temple and the history of Edo becoming Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." They asked questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?", "What are the teachings of Buddhism?", "How is Shinto different from Buddhism?", and "Are there Christians in Japan?"

Nakamise shopping street was as crowded as ever. Since they really wanted to buy a sashimi knife and a bowl for ramen, we stopped by Kappabashi Kitchen Town.

We then moved to Harajuku, first visiting Meiji Shrine. I explained about "what Shinto is," "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto," "the history of Edo and the Meiji Restoration," "Emperor Meiji," and "the Japanese Imperial Family." They said, "It's wonderful that there is such a green park in the middle of the city," and added that their home region is a desert city with little greenery and almost no rain, so they envied Tokyo.

We also strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street.

We moved to Shibuya, where I explained about "the history of Shibuya." We walked across the Scramble Crossing and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

Since they wanted to buy a mobile phone connector, we visited an electronics store. They also wanted to buy Japanese sake and Japanese whisky, so we went to a food hall.

They commented that "Japanese people are all polite," "there is no litter on the streets," "the public restrooms in Japan are clean and pleasant," and "there are no homeless people to be seen."

I saw them off at 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.