Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour — Guide Tachi

What Does a Private Tokyo Cruise-Ship Day Tour with a Tea Ceremony Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. Their advance request was to visit the main sightseeing spots and enjoy a tea ceremony experience. We met at the cruise ship terminal, confirmed the itinerary, and began the tour. During our transfers, the guests shared stories about their family and about the places they planned to visit on their cruise. They were also aware that the Tokyo Marathon was being held. We visited the Shibuya Crossing, and when I introduced the Hachiko statue, the guests seemed reminded of a movie. At Meiji Shrine, we happened to encounter a wedding procession that had just finished its ceremony, as well as a family celebrating a shrine visit for their newborn. At the souvenir shop in Meiji Shrine, one of the guests purchased goods featuring their zodiac sign (the Year of the Dragon). Another of the guests was looking for a short kimono-style gown but could not find one, so I also guided them to Takeshita Street in Harajuku, which was not part of the original plan. At a souvenir shop in the basement along Takeshita Street, they found the gown they wanted and also purchased a jinbei-style set as a gift. After that, I guided them to the Japanese garden at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the plum grove slope, and the early-blooming cherry blossoms beside the large lawn. On the way to the tea ceremony experience in Asakusa, one of the guests realized they had lost their combined 1-day pass for the Toei subway and Tokyo Metro. We searched for it, but since it could not be found, they purchased a new one. The tea ceremony experience, originally scheduled to start at 1:00, began at 2:30 because the previous guests started 20 minutes late. Chairs and a table were prepared, and the guests fully enjoyed the tea ceremony in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. After the experience, we walked through the grounds of Sensoji Temple, and along Kannon-dori, one of the guests kindly treated me to some ice cream. As requested in advance, we ended the tour safely at the cruise ship terminal.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

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!