Hi, I’m Masa!
I’m an English-speaking tour guide with Tokyo Free Walking Tour. Today, I had the pleasure of leading a wonderful group of international travelers through the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
About Me
I live in the suburbs of Tokyo with my wife and our dog. We have a daughter and a son, but since they’ve grown up, they’ve moved out and are living their own lives. Born and raised in Japan, I’ve spent nearly 60 years here and love sharing its rich history and culture. On weekdays, I work for an electronics company as a salaryman—a common Japanese term for company employees. Some days, I commute an hour by train, while other days, I work remotely from home. My salary job supports my family, but tour guiding is my true passion!
Why I Volunteer as a Tour Guide
I guide Tokyo Free Walking Tours on weekends—not for money, but for the joy of sharing Japan’s heritage. Here’s why:
A Love for Japanese History & Culture
Every castle, shrine, and temple has a story. Visiting is fun, but knowing the history behind them makes the experience special. I earned a national tour guide certification to provide accurate and fascinating insights.
Meeting People from Around the World
Each country has unique customs, and I love answering travelers’ questions about Japan. Whether it’s about food, family life, entertainment, work, or daily routines, I enjoy engaging conversations and learning from my guests’ perspectives.
Spending weekends interacting with curious travelers is an experience I truly cherish!
Today’s Tour: A Memorable Tokyo Experience
Today’s 2.5-hour walking tour welcomed 37 tourists from 10 countries, guided by 18 volunteer guides.
Tour Highlights
Tokyo Station & Marunouchi District – The heart of modern Japan. We explored the country’s 150-year journey of modernization and western influence.
Imperial Palace East Gardens – Once part of Edo Castle, built 400 years ago during the Shogun era. We admired castle towers, gates, stone walls, and discussed the Shogun’s family, defense systems, and traditional Japanese mindsets.
A Beautiful Japanese Garden – The weather was perfect, and the scenery was breathtaking, with lush greenery and vibrant flowers.
Along the way, we didn’t just talk about history—we also shared fun facts, travel tips, and local recommendations. I even suggested Japanese curry rice to a family from India roots, and they loved the idea!
Join Our Tokyo Free Walking Tour!
Our tours are not just informative—they’re interactive and fun!
Discover Japan’s fascinating past, experience its vibrant present, and engage in meaningful conversations with local guides and fellow travelers.
For more information about our tour, please visit our web site at
https://tfwt.jp/top/east-gardens-of-the-imperial-palace/ ,
https://www.facebook.com/TokyoFWT
or Tokyo Free Walking Tour at https://www.tripadvisor.jp/ .
(posted by Masa Ito)