Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tachi

Title: What Can You See on a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Hamarikyu, Odaiba, and Yanaka

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. In advance, they had requested visits to Asakusa, Tsukiji, Odaiba, and Rikugien. However, because the large pond at Rikugien was undergoing shoreline repair work and the scenery was judged to be less attractive than usual, I recommended Hamarikyu Gardens as an alternative, and the guests agreed. Both had already purchased Suica cards. I learned that food was a strong interest for the family. At Tsukiji, I introduced the shops and foods that came into view one after another. I had expected the guests to sample a great deal, but they limited themselves to tasting dashi and various rice crackers. Walking slowly, we finished touring the main area of the market about 30 minutes over schedule.

Next, I guided the group to Hamarikyu Gardens. The guests were not familiar with the concept of the "shogun," so I included explanations of basic Japanese historical background, earthquakes (they were not aware of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake either), and the political system as we walked. The cosmos flowers in the flower field were beautiful, and we strolled through here at a leisurely pace as well. When I asked why they had wished to visit Odaiba, they said there was no particular purpose. They planned to visit Nikko the next day but had no fixed plans, so on the way to Daiba Station I introduced recommended spots in Nikko both verbally and by email.

At Odaiba, we took photos in front of the Statue of Liberty replica, then I guided the group to the 6th floor of Aqua City Odaiba for lunch. The guests chose a shabu-shabu restaurant (which served only course meals even at lunch). After assisting with the ingredients, how to eat shabu-shabu, and placing the order, I waited outside with the guests' consent. When we met again, they told me their first-ever shabu-shabu had been delicious.

For the final stop, I let the guests choose between Asakusa and Yanaka (I gave a brief explanation of Yanaka, including that it involved about 30 minutes of walking), and they chose Yanaka. From the middle of the tour, moving through the subway (especially climbing stairs) appeared difficult for one of the guests, so I made every effort to use escalators and elevators. When I asked at JR Nippori Station about their plans after the tour, they said they wanted to go to the Shibuya crossing. Since verbal directions alone felt uncertain, I accompanied them from JR Nippori Station as well, explained the route to the Shibuya crossing with the help of email, and we parted at the platform inside JR Uguisudani Station. The guests had also purchased a JR Pass, and I hope they will leisurely enjoy the golden route including Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, and Hiroshima.

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Tour Report by Tachi

Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!