Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Akey

Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Asakusa, Tokyo Station, and the Imperial Palace Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. We met at a hotel in Asakusa. As one of the most photogenic spots in Tokyo, we first visited the old shopping arcade beneath the Asakusa Tobu Station, then took photos along the Sumida River with the Skytree and the Asahi Beer headquarters in the background. At Tokyo Station, after showing them the platform for the Shinkansen to Kyoto, we visited the food section in the basement of a department store, where they purchased an assortment of strawberries and various fruits. Moving to the Marunouchi side, we took photos in front of the Tokyo Station building, then went up to the observation deck on the 6th floor of the KITTE building. As the guests wished, we visited the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace from the Otemon Gate. Since the Inui Street of the Imperial Palace happened to be open to the public, we entered, but as it led in the opposite direction, we decided to turn back partway and were escorted out by an Imperial Household Agency staff member through the Kikyomon Gate. We then viewed the Nijubashi double bridge of the Imperial Palace. We took a taxi to Ginza 4-chome, where I explained about Ginza and suggested visiting Itoya to buy stationery as a souvenir. For lunch, I guided them to LION in the station basement before we parted ways. Although it rained all day and the weather was poor, the weeping cherry blossoms both inside the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and along the outer moat were beautiful, and the guests were very satisfied. After we parted, I had lunch alone at a ramen shop. I had planned to give the guests an SD card with many photos I had taken with my camera, but realized I had forgotten to hand it over. Although an hour had passed, I returned to LION and looked inside the restaurant, where I found they were still dining, so I presented the SD card containing the photos. They tried to pay for the cost of the SD card, but I declined, saying it was Japanese hospitality. For Kyoto, I had suggested that they visit Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

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Tour Report by Akey

Hello, new friends! I’m Akio Yasui. I was born in Kyoto City and graduated from Doshisha University in Kyoto and moved to Tokyo for working. I used to work for international companies as a marketing advertising specialist. I have been to fourty five different countries until now and been to all prefectures in Japan.
I have deep knowledge of both traditional and modern culture of Japan based on my experience in Kyoto, Tokyo and their surrounding areas such as Kamakura, Nikko, Nara, Osaka. I can design exclusive and the optinum itineray for you and guide you not only to ordinary tour courses but also casual or hidden locations. My task is making you enjoy Japan and like our culture and people. Let me guide you any where you want to visit and enjoy Japan together.