Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
December, 2025
Tour Itinerary
- 1. 12:00 Meet up @Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand
- 2. 12:45 @Ginza (Kabukiza Theatre, Ginza 4-chome intersection: Mitsukoshi, Wako, etc.)
- 3. 13:30 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
- 4. 14:00 @Imperial Palace Inui Street walk-through
- 5. 14:45 @Imperial Palace East Gardens (Hirakawamon Gate, Tenshudai Donjon Base, Stone Cellar, Fujimi-tamon Defense House, Site of the Pine Corridor, Fujimi Yagura Turret, Shiomizaka Slope, Ninomaru Garden, Hyakunin-bansho Guardhouse, Doshin-bansho Guardhouse, Otemon Gate)
- 6. 15:50 @Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Station Building, Midori-no-madoguchi Ticket Office)
- 7. 16:30 @Nihonbashi (Takashimaya Underground Food Hall)
- 8. 17:30 @Shinjuku (Kabukicho Godzilla Head, 3D Advertisement, Omoide Yokocho)
- 9. 18:00 Disband @Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand
What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace and Nihonbashi The guest was visiting Japan for the first time from North America, stopping over in Japan on the way to another destination out of a longstanding interest in the country. The tour was originally booked for the group, but because urgent work came up for one member of the party, the guest joined the tour on their own. At Kobikicho, located in the basement of the Kabukiza Theatre, the first stop, the guest showed interest in finding souvenirs for family members, though no purchases were made there. During the visit to the Imperial Palace, we saw not only the Nijubashi Bridge and the Main Gate, but were also able to walk along the Imperial Palace Inui Street, which was open to the public from November for a special walk-through. This allowed us to stroll through areas of the Imperial Palace grounds not normally accessible while admiring the autumn foliage. The guest was enchanted by the vividly red autumn leaves and the four-season cherry blossoms that were in full bloom at this time of year. After the walk-through, rather than exiting via the Kitahanebashi Gate, we crossed the bridge from the Hirakawa Gate to enter the East Gardens, climbed up to the former castle keep foundation, and the guest listened attentively to explanations of Japanese history. We were also able to go inside the Fujimi-tamon, viewed from the Inui Street side, and it was fascinating to look down onto Inui Street from its windows. Recalling the Kabukiza Theatre we had seen earlier, I explained the kabuki play "Chushingura" at the site of the Matsu-no-Oroka corridor in the Imperial Palace, and the guest listened intently, saying they would share it with a family member interested in samurai culture. At the ticket counter of Tokyo Station, I helped with purchasing shinkansen tickets to Kyoto and Narita Express tickets for onward travel. At Nihonbashi Takashimaya, the guest was moved by the enormous Christmas tree displayed at the main entrance and shared a photo of the Christmas tree at their own home. I was amazed by the magnificent tree and the large house surrounding it. At an adjacent shop, the guest purchased many gnome figurines as souvenirs. After completing tax-free procedures, the guest showed interest in the basement food hall, and when I guided them there, they were surprised by the large Japanese apples and made a purchase. As time passed, it became clear that there would not be enough time to visit Asakusa as originally planned, so by mutual agreement, instead of Asakusa, we decided to see the Godzilla Head in Shinjuku before returning to the hotel. I introduced Omoide Yokocho along the way and walked the guest back to the hotel. (As for the photos, I unfortunately only managed to take ones in portrait orientation. My apologies.)
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Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Nishi-Shinjuku Station～Hibiya Line, Higashi-Ginza Station | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Ginza-itchome Station～Sakuradamon Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Nihombashi Station～Marunouchi Line, Shinjuku Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
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!
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Noripy is just the best
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Noripy is such a great guide and just a wonderful human being that felt like an old friend. We had first visited Tokyo eight years ago, so we had not planned on getting a tour, but we felt like we got both a Food Tour and a cultural tour with her and we were so grateful for both. My daughter is moving to Japan, and so we were excited to be here but we were disappointed that we had not been able to find vegetarian food as easily. Noripy had tips and tricks and language she suggested we use and helped us with our first vegan ramen which was excellent. I highly recommend anything you can do with a Noripy, you should run and go do it! She trained at Boston University and international relations, and had ties with both my daughters from her schooling which tickled us with delight. She is a spry woman and the kindest soul and I’m so glad our paths crossed as Tokyo came to life through her welcoming eyes. We were nervous about going on this tour because we had a bad experience with a different tour with someone else the night before, but she restored our faith in humanity and tour guides and that was a tall order.
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