Tokyo in One Day: Sona Area Tokyo & Tokyo Tower — Guide Danda

What's a Private One-Day Disaster-Preparedness and Shopping Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I guided a group visiting from North America. Because some of the guests enjoyed shopping, wanted to try a disaster-preparedness experience, hoped to collect goshuin (shrine and temple stamps), and requested a lunch in a park, we visited the Sona Area Tokyo disaster-preparedness facility in Ariake after the Imperial Palace Outer Garden. The experience began with a scenario of encountering a magnitude 7 earthquake inside an elevator, and participants were handed a tablet and progressed by answering quizzes in English. At the Imperial Palace, some of the guests had suddenly felt sleepy from jet lag and had wanted to head back to the Hotel, so I was relieved to see their eyes light up and to see how much they enjoyed the experience. That said, we got the very first elevator question wrong and had a good laugh about it. On the way to Ginza, the gentle swaying of the Yurikamome line brought on drowsiness again, but at ITOYA in Ginza the guests became energized once more, delighted by the stationery and enjoying themselves so much that it was almost a case of "are you really buying more?" At Asahi Inari Shrine, where the first goshuin was received, the staff were very kind and specially stamped a goshuin into the stamp book the guests had, and additionally gave stickers as a little souvenir, which delighted the guests greatly. After eating yakitori purchased at Mitsukoshi in Shiba Park, we went to Zojoji Temple to buy a goshuincho and a goshuin, and then headed to the final stop, Tokyo Tower. Despite dozens of yawns along the way, the guests made it to the observation deck and were full of energy again while enjoying a favorite soft-serve ice cream. On the train back to the Hotel, I sensed that fatigue was reaching its limit, so I posed a final question to keep them engaged, and we arrived safely at the Hotel. I hope the guests can enjoy the rest of the trip without any health troubles. The warm way the guests looked out for and stayed close to one another, even while cycling between excitement and sleepiness, was heartwarming and lovely, and I felt they were a wonderful group. A notable stop on the tour was Zojoji Temple. Zojoji is a major Buddhist temple in Tokyo, located near Tokyo Tower, and serves as the main temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect in the Kanto region. Founded in the 14th century and later associated with the Tokugawa shogunate, it is known for its striking Sangedatsumon main gate and its scenic setting against the backdrop of Tokyo Tower.

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Tour Report by Danda

Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.