This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 10:00 Meet up @Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
  • 2. 10:30 @Zojoji Temple
  • 3. 10:50 @Tokyo Tower
  • 4. 11:30 @Ginza (4-chome intersection, NISSAN, Kyukyodo, Kimuraya)
  • 5. 12:00 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
  • 6. 12:40 @Tokyo Station (station square, Marunouchi side of the station building)
  • 7. 13:15 @Roppongi (Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, Roppongi Hills, Roppongi intersection)
  • 8. 13:30 Lunch @Suju Dining (inside Tokyo Midtown Roppongi)
  • 9. 14:30 @The National Art Center, Tokyo
  • 10. 15:20 @Harajuku Takeshita Street + Omotesando
  • 11. 16:00 @Meiji Shrine + Gyoen
  • 12.17:10 @Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, FUKURAS)
  • 13. 17:40 Disband @in front of Tsukiji Tamazushi (inside FUKURAS)

What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, residing in Europe. They were enjoying a stay in Japan of about one week. They had already visited Kyoto and Osaka, and the day after this tour they were scheduled to join a vehicle tour to enjoy the magnificent views of Mount Fuji. While the guests spoke to each other in German, our conversation with me as the guide was in English. One of the guests originally came from Europe, and the guests mentioned they would soon acquire European citizenship.

In Harajuku, the guests shopped at several stores looking for souvenirs. At the soccer goods store KAMO in front of Harajuku Station, they purchased Messi and Mitoma shirts. They also searched enthusiastically for well-fitting shoes at a sports shoe store on Takeshita Street. At Meiji Shrine, they purchased chopsticks. They were also able to admire the iris flowers in the garden.

When planning the itinerary initially, the guests had indicated by email an interest in areas such as dining with geisha, maid cafés, and "crazy experiences" in Japan, so I had been considering what kinds of suggestions I could make within the scope of this walking tour. When we met at the hotel in the morning, I proposed two options: a course centered on Asakusa that included a maid café experience in Akihabara, or a relatively quieter course including the Roppongi and Aoyama areas. The guests chose the quieter option. After confirming that the tour would not include a maid café experience, we set off. Since the guests were physically fit and strong walkers, we walked from the hotel near Takeshiba Pier while chatting, accessing Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower on foot. Throughout the entire tour, it became a tour rich in conversation. Topics were endless, including questions about how Japanese people truly feel about certain international matters, as well as recent world affairs including political and economic conditions. For lunch, wanting the guests to experience ordinary, authentically Japanese food, I guided them to Suju Dining at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, where they ordered a simmered mackerel in miso set meal and a wagyu beef steak set meal, and were greatly satisfied.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Kamiyacho Station~Ginza Station700JPY
Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Ginza-itchome Station~Sakuradamon Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station~Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
Section 4TrainJR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station~Shibuya Station150JPY
Total850JPY

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!

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