Tokyo: Asakusa Station & Tokyo Station — Guide Masa

Title: What's a One-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like from Narita Airport? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Europe. One of the guests had visited Japan many times through work but said, "I have never taken the time to sightsee slowly in Tokyo." The other guest was visiting Japan for the first time. The trip was arranged to allow the other guest, who had long wished to see Japan, to join a Tokyo tour timed with the work schedule.

The guests' request was to "cover the key highlights and visit as many places as possible."

They had arrived in Japan the day before yesterday. Yesterday they toured the area around Naritasan, and they planned to depart from Narita Airport around noon the following day.

It was a tour under clear skies, with weather that was slightly on the warm side.

From Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, we headed to Asakusa as requested.

We passed through Kaminarimon and the Nakamise shopping street to the main hall. It was extremely crowded. I explained "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto."

There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?" "How is Shinto different from Buddhism?" and "Why are there so many people wearing kimono?"

One of the guests enjoys photography and took photos enthusiastically all over. After drawing an omikuji fortune, the result was "bad luck," which was a bit disappointing.

Since one guest was keen to see the "rows of red torii gates," we went to Hie Shrine in Akasaka. The grounds were bustling with families visiting for the "Shichi-Go-San" celebration. Here too, the guests were absorbed in taking photos.

Moving to Shinjuku, we first went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory. "I now understand well that Tokyo is a vast, sprawling city," was the comment.

Thanks to the clear weather, we were able to see Mount Fuji, which delighted the guests. They bought postcards at the shop.

From there we moved to the west exit, passing through Omoide Yokocho on the way to Kabukicho. The guests eagerly photographed the Godzilla Head. "The atmosphere is different from other areas of Tokyo. It feels somewhat lively and noisy," was the comment.

For lunch, to enjoy the requested "katsudon," we went to a tonkatsu restaurant. "It's my first time, but I'm very satisfied. Switzerland does not have such a diverse variety of food menus as Japan," was the comment.

Moving to Shibuya, I explained "the history of Shibuya" and "Hachiko."

We experienced the Scramble Crossing, and also observed it from the rooftop of the Magnet building. There were questions such as "Why are there so many people here? And why did it become so famous?"

Since the guests said, "There's something I want to buy at Tokyo Station Gransta," we went to Tokyo Station. After purchasing anime goods, we headed to Narita Airport.

There were also comments such as "Is it safe to walk around the city at night?" "Japanese people are all so polite," "Why are there no trash bins around?" "The subway is quiet, unlike in other cities," and "I travel all over the world on flights, and lately, in both the US and Europe, public safety has rapidly deteriorated, so I can't walk around cities with peace of mind. Tokyo is truly safe."

I saw the guests off at Narita Airport Terminal 2 Station, where we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Layover Customized Tour from Narita, 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.