Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Noripy

Title: What's a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like for Guests Revisiting Japan? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower, and Hamarikyu Gardens

The guests were senior visitors from Asia. They had once lived in Fukuoka for about two and a half years for work and had also experienced sightseeing in Tokyo before. The purpose of this visit was to take commemorative photos at places full of memories and to visit a spot they had not been able to see back then, Hamarikyu Gardens. As there was some slight concern about their physical condition, they had arranged their own dedicated taxi through their hotel.

At Meiji Shrine, one of the guests was delighted in front of the first torii gate and the sake barrels, saying, "Even though I had heard of Meiji Shrine, I couldn't picture it at all, but these sake barrels brought back memories." We also happened to come across two wedding ceremonies, and the guests took video and many photographs. Both of them also purchased many omamori charms. We strolled at a leisurely pace, but after walking for a little under an hour, they appeared to be tired.

So I changed the original order of the visit and first headed to Tokyo Tower, which involved less walking. We went up to the observation deck, and I introduced sights such as the newly built Mori Tower at Azabudai Hills. Next we visited Hamarikyu Gardens, a place they had long yearned to see but had never been able to visit. They enjoyed a relaxed walk while admiring the beautifully maintained pines and the tidal pond. At the teahouse on the central island, they savored matcha together with nerikiri sweets and dorayaki filled with chestnut. I had wanted to introduce the duck hunting grounds and the shogun's landing site as well, but at their request to reduce the walking distance, we returned along the same path and, finally, admired the three-hundred-year-old pine before leaving the garden. By coincidence, Hamarikyu Gardens was running a Respect for the Aged Day campaign in which entry was free for those aged 60 and over, and everyone was able to benefit from it. The final point of the tour requested was the Yaesu exit of Tokyo Station, where I parted from the guests, who planned to shop at the department store there.

In the car, one of the guests, who was well informed about Japanese politics, mentioned the candidates in the upcoming ruling party leadership election, and another guest laughed, noting that one of the candidates was as handsome as a movie star. It was also explained that the candidate's father had been a former prime minister. Due to traffic restrictions for the World Athletics race walking event, we had to take a slight detour on the way from Meiji Shrine to Tokyo Tower, and as we happened to pass by a restaurant in Nishi-Azabu, I introduced it as the place where a former Japanese prime minister and a U.S. president had held a diplomatic conversation, famously known as "izakaya diplomacy." The guests seemed intrigued by this.

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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!