Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tachi

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, Shibuya, and Meiji Shrine

The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were said to be staying at a private lodging near Keisei-Takasago Station, but since the meeting point was listed as being in front of a newspaper delivery office, I asked [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) for assistance and received confirmation that the meeting-point address was correct. However, the main guest was not using any messaging app, so I could not reach them individually. Two days before the tour I received a personal email address and sent a greeting along with some notes and a request for any preferences, but received no reply. On the morning of the tour I also emailed about the guide's attire, what to bring, and my plan to arrive ten minutes before the meeting time, but again received no reply, so I felt somewhat uneasy as the meeting time approached in front of the newspaper delivery office.

At the meeting, I asked whether they had received my emails and messages, and the main guest explained that the WiFi had been unreliable and they had not been able to receive email properly. During the tour the WiFi seemed to improve, as they were able to receive an email with photos I had taken and recommended information attached, which was reassuring. I presented the itinerary I had prepared, and with the guests' agreement we began the tour. Three of the guests had already purchased a "Welcome SUICA," and two had downloaded the SUICA app in advance.

Since we started at 8:00, Nakamise-dori was still before opening, with few people around and a refreshing atmosphere. As I was about to guide them to the main hall of Sensoji and we were walking beside the incense burner, a local elderly person who appeared to have just finished praying bumped into me while shouting something. It was unexpected and a little startling, but since all sorts of people are out and about, I decided it required no particular response and let it pass (I explained this to the guests as well, and they understood), and we continued to the main hall. In hindsight, my way of guiding may have been in the elderly person's way. Since many local worshippers likely visit Sensoji early in the morning, I resolved to be more careful going forward.

At the East Gardens we admired the irises and toured briefly. Having learned on the day of the tour that cash would be needed, the guests withdrew cash from an ATM inside a station on the way to Tsukiji. At Tsukiji they enjoyed wagyu skewers, yakitori, sushi (lunch at a sushi restaurant), and ice cream. Since one or two of them occasionally went off on their own, I took care not to lose sight of anyone in the crowds (and asked the guests to be mindful of each other as well) as we headed to Shibuya.

We crossed the Shibuya scramble crossing and I guided them to the second floor of a Starbucks. When I looked away for a moment, I lost sight of everyone for a few minutes (I had assumed they would be by the window, but before I knew it they were gone). I sent an email asking where they were and searched around outside the building and on the second floor of the Starbucks, and it turned out that four of them were taking a restroom break or ordering at the cafe, while one was at an anime pop-up store on the fifth floor of the same building. It gave me quite a scare, but I then guided them to our final stop, Meiji Shrine. Afterward, they said they were tired because it was their first trip abroad, the flight had been long, and they had arrived at their lodging late the previous night, so I guided them to a cafe in Harajuku, and we parted ways safely and with smiles.

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Tour Report by Tachi

Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!