Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour — Guide Noripy

Title: What Can You See on an 8-Hour Private Tokyo Tour Before a Sumo Dinner in Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Europe, on a roughly two-week trip through Japan planning to visit Shibu Onsen, Kanazawa, Takayama, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. One of the guests had previously been to Japan for work, but this was their first time sightseeing here. Since they had reserved a dinner with a sumo show in Asakusa starting at 6:00 p.m., I planned the itinerary so that after the 8-hour tour we could move smoothly to the dinner venue, while also allowing them to see as many places as possible, as they had requested.

We left their Hotel in Ginza and walked along Ginza Chuo-dori to the Ginza 4-chome intersection, pointing out characteristic Ginza buildings and shops along the way, then boarded the subway. At Meiji Shrine, I had hoped the irises might be starting to bloom, so we also entered the inner garden. Unfortunately they had not yet opened, but we were able to touch the water of Kiyomasa's Well and take commemorative photos. One of the guests, who always buys a magnet as a souvenir when traveling, purchased a magnet at Meiji Shrine.

Our next destination, Shibuya, had been visited the previous evening as well, so we looked around briefly, then took the Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho and walked to Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower. Along the way we found a taiyaki shop, and when I introduced taiyaki as a traditional Japanese sweet, the guests tried both the red bean and custard varieties.

For lunch, we moved to Roppongi and had takeout curry, purchased in front of a Vietnamese restaurant, in the free space inside Tokyo Midtown Roppongi. There was a small mishap when the curry, heated in the microwave, was pointed out as not being warm enough, and I helped reheat it, but after a rest everyone was able to catch their breath and recover their energy, and we strolled through the National Art Center and Aoyama Cemetery. At Aoyama Cemetery, the guests laughed when we discovered a grave with a miniature-sized car (probably the deceased's beloved car in life) placed in front of the headstone.

From Nogizaka Station we took the Chiyoda Line to Kasumigaseki Station and strolled from Sakuradamon toward Tokyo Station while introducing the Imperial Palace. Around the Tatsumi Yagura turret, one of the guests seemed quite tired from walking, so we decided to take a cafe break nearby. Starbucks was declined as being too American, so we went to a cafe inside the Shin-Marunouchi Building. Only two seats were available, so I waited outside. After resting for a while and recovering their energy, we headed to our final destination, Asakusa.

In Asakusa, after strolling around Senso-ji Temple and Sumida Park, we searched Google Maps for the location of the 6:00 sumo dinner. We confirmed it was about a ten-minute walk away, and since they planned to explore the area on their own for the remaining hour before the start, I guided them back to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center as their starting point, and we said our goodbyes.

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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!