Tokyo: Otemachi & Shibuya Station — Guide Masa

What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Central Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. Two days earlier, they had arrived at Narita Airport via a connecting flight, and after arrival took a taxi to their hotel. The previous day, they had explored areas such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, and teamLab.

The guests were on a trip to Japan lasting about 14 days in total. After staying in Tokyo for four days, they planned to visit Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, and Hida-Takayama, before returning to Tokyo and heading home.

Today, the guests wished to visit notable spots around the city.

It was a tour under weather that felt like the beginning of autumn.

First, we walked from the hotel to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace.

I explained about "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," and "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace."

There were questions such as "What happened to the shoguns and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?", "I've seen 'The Last Samurai,'" "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?", and "Who will be the next Emperor?"

We moved to Akihabara.

I explained about "the origins and current state of Akihabara."

There were also comments and explanations such as "I once bought a Japanese transistor and assembled a radio," and "What kind of place is a maid café?"

The guests purchased a plastic model kit as a souvenir.

We moved to Harajuku, first to Meiji Shrine.

I explained about "Shinto," "torii gates," "Emperor Meiji," "why sake barrels are displayed here," and "why wine barrels are displayed here."

There were questions such as "The atmosphere is completely different from Sensoji Temple yesterday," and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?"

The guests took a relaxed break at the Cafe Terrace at Meiji Shrine. They enjoyed a beer (saying "I've come to really love Japanese beer.")

Afterward, we strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street. The comment was made: "I can't really get to like animal cafés."

We moved to Shibuya.

First, we looked down on Scramble Square from the entrance of the Keio Inokashira Line platform and took photos, then actually crossed the intersection. There were questions such as "Why do so many people gather here?" and "Why did it become famous?"

We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. (One of the guests keeps a dog at home and loves dogs.)

Afterward, we strolled once around Center Gai.

There were also comments and questions such as "Japanese people are all quiet and polite," "The city is clean and there's no litter on the ground," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?", and "Are there no homeless people?"

As the guests wished to return to the hotel, we saw them off at Otemachi Station and parted ways.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Local Shopping Streets Tour 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.