Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Noripy

Can You Do a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Covering Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, and the Imperial Palace? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was visiting Japan for the first time from Europe, arriving a little ahead of colleagues to do some sightseeing. We visited the three requested locations — Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and the Imperial Palace — and added some strolling along the routes between each spot.

It was the guest's first time ever visiting a Shinto shrine, and when I explained things carefully, they listened very attentively. They actively took part in the purification basin ritual and in praying. As it happened, several families were visiting the shrine for the traditional shichi-go-san celebration, and the guest was delighted by the sight of the charming children dressed in their bright festive clothing. The guest chose to enter a souvenir shop, having decided to buy a gift, and purchased a lovely beckoning cat figurine with a moving arm, a black pine bonsai kit to grow at home, and a sake measuring box bearing the Imperial family crest. At the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the guest was thrilled to actually walk across the crosswalk. Since this trip did not include a chance to visit places like Kyoto, I introduced a spot as a reference for a possible future family visit to Japan — Pepper Parlor inside Shibuya FUKURAS, where robots are the stars. The guest was very pleased and took many photos.

Next, when heading from Shibuya to the Imperial Palace on the Ginza Line, we got off at Shimbashi Station, one stop before Ginza Station, and I chose a slightly longer walking route along Ginza's main street from the 8-chome area to around Ginza-itchome Station on the Yurakucho Line. I introduced Café Paulista, connected to The Beatles — deeply associated with the guest's home region — and where John Lennon and Yoko reportedly came for coffee three days in a row. When we arrived at Shimbashi Station and came up to street level, it was actually raining quite hard. I was surprised by this, as it was not what the forecast had suggested, but online information indicated it was a passing shower that would soon stop. We sheltered for about five minutes, and when the rain eased a little, the guest bought a folding umbrella at a nearby convenience store. About five minutes later the rain lifted and blue sky appeared, but the guest seemed happy, feeling that the folding umbrella itself made for a souvenir, which was nice to see.

Finally, from Shinagawa Station, rather than waiting for the shuttle bus to the Hotel, we walked to the Hotel.

As when heading from the Imperial Palace to Tokyo Station, we encountered fallen ginkgo nuts in several places along the way, and the guest enjoyed the stroll among the ginkgo trees that were just beginning to turn yellow.

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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!