Tokyo: Shinjuku Isetan (food floor) & Meiji Shrine — Guide Noripy

What Is a Private 6-Hour Family Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived a few days earlier and had already visited Senso-ji Temple and experienced go-kart driving in costume. On the morning of the tour, they enjoyed teamLab Planets in Toyosu before starting the 6-hour tour.

One of the youngest members of the group, who had recently begun to walk, was very charming, and many passersby as well as strangers shopping at Isetan in Shinjuku smiled and remarked how adorable the child was. At Meiji Jingu, the group let the little one take a few wobbly steps. The child made lively, almost word-like sounds, yet somehow they never felt noisy, which was quite remarkable. During the car transfers, the child slept peacefully, and all of this added to the endearing atmosphere.

The Isetan basement food hall made a strong impression on the guests. They commented that every item looked delicious, and above all fresh and clean. They took many photos and purchased items such as shrimp and chicken kushikatsu, fried sweet potato, and spicy skewers of chicken with shishito peppers and paprika. Afterward, they requested Ichiran Ramen, so I searched online and we went to the branch near the Godzilla Head in Shinjuku. As a popular restaurant, there was a line, and the staff said the wait would be about 30 minutes. However, the guests were keen to eat Ichiran Ramen even if it meant waiting, so we lined up. In practice, we were able to start lunch after about 20 minutes, so it did not significantly affect the tour. That said, the guests asked to walk at a slower pace, and since the little one appeared to be getting sleepy later on, we skipped the originally planned stroll along Takeshita Street in Harajuku. At the Imperial Palace, I explained Sakuradamon from the car and we got out only to walk to Nijubashi. In addition, from the car I was able to show them the Ginza 4-chome intersection and Ginza main street, the Kasumigaseki government district, the National Diet Building, and the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station.

On this trip they did not visit Kyoto and stayed only in Tokyo for a short period, but they expressed how much they had come to love Japan, saying that they would definitely return and already had plans to do so.

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Tour Report by Noripy

Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!