Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Tachi

**Title:** What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, Tsukiji, and Asakusa

**Body:**

This is a report on a private one-day Tokyo tour I guided for guests visiting from Europe. In their advance messages, the guests asked to visit as many places as time would allow, and asked whether the tour start time could be changed on the day if their flight arrived at Haneda earlier than expected. Since transportation delays are always possible and I wanted to avoid rush hour, I gently proposed keeping the original 11:00 start time, and the guests kindly agreed. When we met on the day, we reconfirmed the itinerary and began the tour. At Shinjuku Station, for convenience, the guests purchased a "Tokyo Free Ticket" (¥1,600 per person). One of the guests had visited various parts of China many times and had in fact just returned from China before this trip to Japan. After touring several areas of Japan (Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima → Tokyo), the guests planned to travel to Portugal and Spain right afterward. In Kyoto they were scheduled to experience a tea ceremony accompanied by a maiko (or perhaps staff dressed in maiko costume), in Osaka they planned to join a food tour, and in Hiroshima they of course planned to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Museum, and similar sites. While chatting about many topics, including tips for the places on their itinerary, we made our way smoothly through the refreshing light early-summer rain, visiting Meiji Shrine → Shibuya Crossing → Tsukiji Market. At Tsukiji, the guests took a break with a light meal at a sushi restaurant. While waiting during the tour, I shared recommendations for their upcoming destinations with the guests via a messaging app. Perhaps because of the light rain, Asakusa also had slightly fewer worshippers than usual. On Shin-Nakamise Street, at the Funawa main store, the guests each bought an ankodama sweet (matcha and mandarin flavors), and unexpectedly I was kindly offered one of the sweet red bean ones to share as well; however, both guests did not seem to care for the texture. I was impressed by their enthusiasm to try anything in a place they were visiting for the first time. We arrived at the ticket gate of Asakusa Station on the Asakusa Line and parted ways with smiles.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

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!