Edo Tokyo History & Culture Tour — Guide Noripy

# What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like When Shinkansen Tickets Go Wrong? A Licensed Guide's Report

[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private walking tour of Tokyo for a group visiting from Oceania, originally from Asia. Some of the guests did not speak much English, so one member of the group kindly interpreted the guiding content into Chinese. The group was staying at private accommodation, so we arranged to meet at an exit of Yotsuya-sanchome Station. The meeting itself went smoothly and the tour began, but at the JR ticket counter (Midori-no-madoguchi), which we visited at the guests' request, we ran into a major obstacle.

The guests wanted to collect Shinkansen tickets that they had been unable to pick up the day before, but it turned out that the transaction could not be completed with a mobile credit card. They had not brought the physical credit card used for the reservation and payment to Japan. We called the JR West office where the tickets had been purchased to inquire and negotiate, but in the end it proved impossible. First we cancelled all the reservations, confirmed the refund, then queued up again at the ticket counter and ended up newly purchasing tickets to Kanazawa and Kyoto. Over the course of more than 45 minutes, I encouraged the guests, who were becoming discouraged, and acted as an interpreter, bridging communication between the guests and both the JR East counter staff and the JR West representative on the phone. As a result, we managed to secure all the tickets needed for their trip to the regions starting the next day.

This ate into the time allotted for the Tokyo walking tour, but we regrouped and set off. It was the first visit to Japan for everyone in the group, and one of the guests said that, considering their ages, this would likely be their first and last time sightseeing in Japan. So, although it was not part of the original plan, I guided them to the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Ginza, which they were delighted by. The guests took many photographs. At Meiji Shrine, we happened to come across a wedding ceremony, which moved them. We were also able to visit the Ryogoku Kokugikan and the Sumo Museum, which had been on their wish list, and they toured them enthusiastically. At Takeshita Street, which they had requested in place of Cat Street, one of the guests wanted to see things not found in Oceania, so I showed them an otter café and a piglet café — we did not go inside, but it was a lively moment. In the evening they had a reservation at teamLab Planets and planned to return to their accommodation for a rest first, so we said goodbye at a bus stop to catch a bus departing from in front of Harajuku Station.

Click here for more details: Edo Tokyo History & Culture Tour with Licensed Local Guide

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!