Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour — Guide Noripy

Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour Like? Shinjuku, Takanawa Gateway, Akihabara & Asakusa — A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They had already traveled through Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Hakone, with Tokyo being their final sightseeing destination in Japan. Up until Hakone, they had been traveling with some of the guests visiting from North America, but from Hakone onward the group continued on their own. For this reason, the tour was initially registered for four participants, but in the end two joined. Because they were arriving in Shinjuku from Hakone the day before the tour, during our prior discussion they mentioned that covering Shinjuku on this tour would not be necessary. However, they happened to be up on the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building when an earthquake occurred, which delayed them, and as a result they were unable to see anything in Shinjuku. Since they wanted to see the 3D digital billboard cat and the Godzilla head, I guided them there. Perhaps their expectations had been high, as they shared an impression along the lines of "So this is the famous…". Still, in Kabukicho, Golden Gai seemed to satisfy them in the sense of having confirmed a much-talked-about spot.

In response to their wish to see places related to technology, I guided them not only to Akihabara but also to Takanawa Gateway Station and its surrounding commercial facilities. During our walk we encountered delivery robots and security robots. At MoN Takanawa, The Museum of Narratives, they enjoyed lying on the 100-tatami-mat space while watching drone footage of cherry blossoms from various parts of Japan, and took photos on the stepping stones floating in the rooftop pond. For lunch they requested something light, so at a stylish bakery inside NeWoman they each bought what they liked and finished their meal on a free bench. One of the guests enjoyed a mentaiko French bread.

In Akihabara, after quickly showing them the atmosphere of the area, they were looking for mobile-phone-related goods, so I guided them to Yodobashi Akiba. They did not find anything they liked and did not make a purchase. On the way back to their hotel in Asakusa, we took the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara, and since the route from the arrival point to the hotel led through the grounds of Sensoji Temple, I was able to explain about Sensoji as we walked. Finally, they wished to buy Japanese-style bookmarks as souvenirs, so we found bookmarks at Kurodaya Honten beside Kaminarimon, and we said our goodbyes there.

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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!