Tokyo in One Day: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden — Guide Toru

What Is a Private Tokyo Tour to Fukagawa, Koishikawa Korakuen, and Meiji Jingu Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

1. The tour and the guests' reactions The guests were a group visiting Tokyo. Since one of the guests walked slowly, the pace was adjusted to allow for unhurried walking. As sitting on the floor or bending forward was difficult, meals were arranged with chair seating. Inside train stations we used elevators and escalators as much as possible, but the guests said that stairs were manageable when handrails were available, and they actively made use of the stairs as well.

The guests' request was to experience the real culture and environment of Japan rather than famous tourist sites, so I had them join the goma fire ritual at Fukagawa Fudodo alongside the worshippers, and enjoy lunch at a local tempura restaurant in Monzen-Nakacho. As I have ten years of work experience in Monzen-Nakacho, the guests were delighted to be taken to hidden local gems and to take part in local events.

The guests were very fond of the path in Koishikawa Korakuen that recreates the Kisoji route, and they fully enjoyed the coolness of the shade and the scent of the trees.

At Meiji Jingu, the guests dedicated an ema votive plaque to experience a part of Shinto. When I explained that the Jingu Gyoen inner garden had been created as a place for walking practice for an empress who had difficulty walking, the guests strolled through it thoughtfully, seeming to reflect on their own situation.

2. Other impressions, notes, and requests to Japan Guide Agency This time, the guests' requests included sumo, so I introduced [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/)'s sumo show tour with lunch. However, the guests were not interested in the show and wished to see morning practice instead, so I introduced a sumo morning practice viewing tour operated by another company (Takasago stable). For this reason, this tour started from the Takasago stable after the guests finished viewing the morning practice. They were very excited to watch the morning training, so if [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) has any tours related to morning practice, I would appreciate it if you could introduce them. (I could not find a morning practice tour in the list of [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) tours. My apologies if I overlooked it.)

Incidentally, I am a great sumo fan and a supporter club member of the Tamanoi stable. As a member, I watch morning practice about once a month, and I also attend the closing-day celebration party of the official tournaments (held in Ryogoku) and enjoy conversations with the wrestlers. I am knowledgeable about sumo, including behind-the-scenes stories of the wrestlers, so if there is an opportunity to guide the 6-hour tour with [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/)'s sumo show and lunch, I would love to try it. I can also guide guests to sumo-related places.

In addition, tours to watch grand sumo tournaments (held in Ryogoku) operated by other companies have become popular in recent years. I think it would be worthwhile for [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) to consider offering a grand sumo viewing tour as well.

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Tour Report by Toru

Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

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I look forward to meeting you soon!