Kanagawa in One Day: Minatomirai & Motomachi-Chukagai — Guide Masa

Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kamakura and Yokohama Chinatown Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was their first visit to Japan. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous day and traveled by taxi to a hotel in Yokohama. The main purpose of this trip to Japan was an 11-day cruise around Japan departing from Yokohama Port the next day. After the cruise returned to Yokohama Port, they planned to stay in Tokyo for a while and do sightseeing in various places. For today, their request was: "We'd like to focus on Kamakura, and at the end please take us to Chinatown." Although it was cloudy, the weather was pleasant and even a bit warm, making for a comfortable tour.

First, we went to Kamakura Station, and then took the Enoden line to Hase. Both the Enoden train and the approach road were extremely crowded with tourists. Along the way, I explained about "the history of Kamakura," "the history of Edo and Tokyo," "the feudal system," "the Meiji Restoration," and so on. I also explained "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." They had questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What other religions do people follow?"

We also went inside the Great Buddha, and they said, "Now I really understand how the Great Buddha was made." They also asked, "We're going to Nara too, so we'd like to see the Great Buddha in Nara. Which one is bigger? And which one was made first?" Both of them enjoy collecting "goshuin" (temple and shrine seal stamps) as a hobby, so they asked to have them stamped at each place we visited.

We moved on to Hasedera Temple, where they remarked, "The garden within the temple is wonderful." We returned to Kamakura Station and took a bus to Hokokuji Temple. I explained "the history and current state of Hokokuji Temple." We strolled slowly through the bamboo grove within the temple. They said, "It's so calming and pleasant here," and "We're also planning to visit the bamboo grove in Kyoto."

We took a bus back to Kamakura Station and walked along the approach road to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. I again explained "about Shinto" and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto," and also explained the "manner of worship" for each. We took photos in front of the sake barrels. We strolled slowly through the crowded streets. We also visited the Inari Shrine within the grounds.

After that, we walked along the very crowded Komachi Street back to Kamakura Station. Via Yokohama Station, we headed to Motomachi-Chukagai Station. Their comments included: "I felt that Japan is very safe," "There is no trash on the streets," "There are no homeless people to be seen," and "Everyone is polite." We parted ways at Motomachi-Chukagai Station.

Click here for more details: Yokohama & Kamakura in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Local 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.