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

Title: What Can You See in One Day in Tokyo Before a Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report

The guests were visitors from North America, both visiting Japan for the first time. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures.

The main purpose of this visit to Japan was a 16-day cruise departing from Yokohama the following day (visiting Kagoshima, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore), with plans to fly home from Singapore afterward.

The guests had only one day in Japan. Their wish was: "Even if our time is short, we would like to visit as many spots as possible."

The previous evening, they arrived at Narita Airport and took a taxi to the hotel. However, they explained that their luggage (two suitcases) had not been received and that they were still troubled by this.

They said, "We have been to Southeast Asia, but this is our first time in Japan. A friend who once lived in Japan recommended it, so we really wanted to visit Tokyo even for just one day."

It rained during the day, so the tour was conducted under umbrellas.

First, we went from Yokohama to Asakusa.

I explained "the history of Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo" as well as "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto."

There were questions such as "What kind of religion and teaching is Buddhism?" and "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?"

Next, we went to Tsukiji. I explained "the history of the Tsukiji Outer Market" and "the difference between the Tsukiji Market and the Toyosu Market."

There were questions such as "Is it always this crowded?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?"

We strolled slowly through the market and sampled tuna sashimi.

We moved to the Imperial Palace.

I explained "the Meiji Restoration," "the current state of the imperial family," and "Gyoko-dori Avenue."

There were also questions such as "Does the emperor really live inside here?" and "Can you not enter the Imperial Palace?"

During our walk, there was a phone call from the airline saying, "Your luggage has been found at Narita Airport and will be sent to the designated hotel within the day," which was a great relief for the guests.

We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I explained again "the difference between Shinto and Buddhism."

They said, "It is wonderful that there is such a green place in the center of the city."

We took a break at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu.

From here, we went to Shinjuku and Kabukicho. The comment was, "This seems like a different world from before."

We went further to Shibuya.

We crossed the Scramble Crossing and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue.

There was a question: "Why do so many people gather here at the Scramble Crossing?"

There were also comments such as "The city is clean. There is no litter on the ground," "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant," "The subway is quiet and clean," and "Why are there no trash cans in the city?"

Since they said they did not know how to return to the hotel, we ended up seeing them off at Minatomirai Station and parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, 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.