Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Tachi

Can You Do a Private Tokyo Day Tour at a Slow Walking Pace? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. In their advance messages they said they had no particular requests, and they provided information about their food preferences and their level of walking ability. When we met on the day, I presented the itinerary again, the guests happily agreed, and we started the tour. One of the guests had already downloaded the Suica app to their smartphone, while for the other guest I had them purchase a Toei & Metro combined one-day pass. One of the guests was a big fan of a Major League Baseball team, and one of the guests was originally from another region. As mentioned in the advance information, one of the guests had some difficulty walking, but they kept saying "I'm fine" while walking. It took about 40 minutes to reach our first destination, Meiji Shrine, but despite likely jet lag, they listened enthusiastically. We were lucky to see a procession of a bride and groom holding a Shinto wedding ceremony, along with their family. In Shibuya, after showing them the Hachiko statue and the scramble crossing, the guests requested to buy throat lozenges because their throats felt dry. We purchased them at a pharmacy right beside the crossing. One of the guests also stopped by a souvenir shop next to the pharmacy (the other guest waited at the planting area beside the crossing). Showing me and the shop staff a character on their smartphone, they said they wanted to buy goods of that character if available, so together with the staff we chose the items and they purchased five character goods. Because we were moving at a slow pace, I judged that we could visit only one more place, and when I asked one of the guests whether they would prefer Tsukiji Market or the East Gardens, the answer was Tsukiji Market. At Tsukiji, I guided them while explaining the ingredients and restaurant menus that came into view. Along the way, at a souvenir shop, both guests purchased shopping bags with a Japanese motif (¥2,000 each). By that time it was the moment to part ways, so I guided them to the taxi stand in front of Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple and we said goodbye with smiles.

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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!