Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Tachi

What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour to Tsukiji and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I guided a group visiting from North America. In the pre-tour communication they seemed to be looking forward to the tour but had no particular requests. When I arrived at the meeting point (an Airbnb-style rental in Toshima Ward) on the day, the guests were all waiting outside with a large amount of luggage. I had not been told about the luggage, so I was a little surprised. When I asked why, they explained: "We stayed one night, but there was a strange smell inside the accommodation, so we cancelled the remaining two nights. Before the tour starts, we would like to look for a hotel around Shibuya now, make a reservation, move there, and store our suitcases even though it is before check-in time."

Once I understood the situation, we headed to Shibuya Station even though the reservation was not yet complete (I was glad it was a Saturday, as the train had plenty of room). They further explained that their stay in Tokyo was a stopover on the way to visit relatives in Asia, and that they had booked the rental accommodation to save on costs, but this time it had not worked out.

Each person had two suitcases (one large and one small). After arriving at Shibuya Station, I made a point of avoiding stairs and steep slopes and using elevators, which made the route a bit roundabout, so we reached the hotel at 10:30. On top of that, there seemed to be a mix-up with the reservation at check-in, so in the end we did not leave the Shibuya hotel until 11:00.

I told the guests, "Today we may only be able to visit Tsukiji Market and Asakusa," and after they agreed, we started the tour. On the train they were eating sandwiches, probably because moving hotels had drained a lot of their energy. Since Tsukiji would be closed the next two days, we stopped by a takoyaki stand, and they ate seafood grills, fruit, and sweets one after another. After strolling around the market, I guided them to Asakusa.

On the train ride there, they finally seemed to relax, and questions came up such as, "What should we be careful about during our stay in Japan?" They also mentioned they liked tonkatsu, so I frequently sent them information via a messaging app about tonkatsu restaurants near the hotel and in Ginza, as well as places I could not show them today such as the East Gardens.

The group enjoyed lively places. At Nakamise Street in Asakusa they bought a few souvenirs, and in front of Hozomon Gate they approached two friendly-looking passersby (who seemed to be in a good mood, each holding a beer) and asked them to take a commemorative photo together, after which we parted ways.

It had been several years since I last traveled by train with such a large amount of luggage (ten suitcases in total!), so it required a lot of care, but I was grateful for the guests' energy and cooperation.

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Tour Report by Tachi

Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!