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

Title: What's a Rainy One-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors to Japan from Europe, and it was their first visit to Japan. This time, they were staying in Japan for a couple of weeks. They were planning a day trip to Mount Fuji the following day. The day before, they had arrived at Narita Airport after connecting flights via the Middle East, then taken a limousine bus to their hotel in Shinjuku. Since they arrived around 21:00, they had a light meal at the hotel and went straight to sleep. From the day after next, they planned to travel around Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, and then depart from Kansai Airport to return home.

The tour took place in the rain, so we walked around under umbrellas.

First, they were keen to buy a "SUICA card," so we went to Shinjuku Station. They also said, "Tomorrow's Mount Fuji trip meets at Tokyo Station, so please show us how to get from Shinjuku to Tokyo Station," so we used the Chuo Line.

First, we went to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. We strolled through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, saw some early-blooming cherry blossoms, and took commemorative photos in front of them. I explained topics such as "From the Edo period to the Meiji period," "About the Meiji Restoration," "Why did Edo Castle become the Imperial Palace?" and "An overview of the current Imperial Family." They commented, "The pine trees are beautiful," and asked questions such as "Does the Emperor really live inside here?" and "Does the Emperor hold any political power?"

From there, at their strong request to see it, we went to Shinjuku Gyoen. Here too, we saw early-blooming cherry blossoms, and they were absorbed in taking photos. I explained "The history of Shinjuku" and "The history of Shinjuku Gyoen." They said, "It's enviable to have such a large green space in the city center."

We moved to Harajuku. We could not enter Meiji Shrine as it was after closing time, but I gave a brief explanation of topics such as "What is Shinto" and "The difference between Buddhism and Shinto."

After taking a light meal and a break at a coffee shop, we walked around Takeshita Street and Cat Street in the rain.

We moved to Shibuya. I explained "The history of Shibuya." We walked across the Scramble Crossing at Shibuya Scramble Square and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

They said, "We'd like to see a Japanese supermarket," so we went to the Tokyu Food Show. They also made comments such as, "All Japanese people are polite," "There is no trash on the streets," "Japanese public restrooms are clean and pleasant," and "We don't see any homeless people."

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.