Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Noripy

What's a Private Walking Food Tour of Shinjuku and Shibuya Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was a visitor from North America, visiting Japan for the first time and exploring Tokyo on their own for this private tour. By the day before, the guest had already visited the major tourist attractions in Tokyo, so for this tour they wished to see places recommended by a friend, especially spots related to food. The udon restaurant called "Shin," located a short walk from the south exit of Shinjuku toward Yoyogi, was a place I myself had not known about until I received the guest's list of interests. When I visited for a preliminary check, I waited an hour and a half to get in. On the day of the tour there was also a very long line, and the numbered ticket issued indicated a 90-minute wait, so the guest immediately decided to give up on it. This was a natural choice so as not to eat into the rest of our tour time, but simply catching a glimpse of how popular the place was left the guest feeling satisfied.

Next we visited the basement food hall of the Takashimaya department store, where the guest seemed continually amazed and took many photos. After looking around at various things, the guest bought a few skewers of yakitori and some baked sweets. We sat on a bench next to the Busta bus terminal on the south exit side of Shinjuku Station and ate together. The weather was fine and it was not crowded, which was fortunate, and it was a refreshing time chatting together. The conversation ranged widely over shared experiences, and the guest also introduced their family through photos.

The guest maintained a very youthful outlook, and when we saw the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Godzilla Head in Shinjuku, the guest got excited, saying "So cool!" The guest is now enjoying a somewhat more relaxed lifestyle. The day after this tour, the guest planned a day trip to Kyoto to join a cycling tour of the city, so I helped purchase Shinkansen tickets at the ticket office in Shibuya.

Incidentally, the guest's visit to Japan happened to coincide with the visit of the U.S. President. The guest shared, as a funny story, an experience from the previous day when a bus trip to a place normally reachable in 20 minutes took about two hours.

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

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!