Tokyo in Half a Day: The KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku & Shibuya — Guide Danda

Title: What's a 2-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like Before a Ski Trip? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nezu Shrine, Yanaka, Ueno, and Shibuya

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I guided a group visiting from Oceania. The moment I arrived at the hotel, the lobby was so packed with international visitors that I gave up trying to spot them myself, so I described my appearance to the guests and had them find me instead. Since they would spend most of their stay in Japan at ski resorts in Hakuba, Rusutsu, and Niseko, they had not done any research about their two days in Tokyo, so they asked me many questions about the city.

At the start of the tour, I was asked, "We're going to Hakuba on Wednesday, so could you show me which train to take?" (it later turned out this was actually a mistake and it was meant to be Monday). I wrote down on paper the route from Shinjuku Station to Omiya Station and then from Omiya Station to Nagano Station, and stressed, "Please be very careful not to make a mistake," to which they replied with a laugh, "Wow, there are that many lines? I'm not sure I'll be okay."

At Nezu Shrine, they enjoyed passing through the red torii gates and were moved by the beauty of the main hall building and the red and white plum blossoms. In Yanaka, they were delighted by the ordinary residential streets along with the traditional Japanese beauty the area retains. At Hanazono Inari Shrine in Ueno, they felt lucky to see the weeping plum and winter cherry blossoms and took photos. The flowers looked beautiful against the blue sky, and the weather today was wonderful.

We were originally planning to go to Asakusa last, so I was standing on the Ginza Line platform heading toward Asakusa when the guests asked, "Where are we going next? What about Shibuya?" I replied, "Oh, weren't you going there after the tour?" and asked, "Which would you prefer, Asakusa or Shibuya?" They said, "Definitely Shibuya," so the final destination became Shibuya. From the second floor of Magnet by Shibuya109, they filmed the crossing with great interest, and then walked across the intersection with a big smile, saying to themselves, "This is so Australian." Since they said, "We're going to enjoy Shibuya after this, so please tell us how to get back to the hotel," we went back to JR Shibuya Station, purchased tickets to Shinjuku Station in advance, and I showed them the Yamanote Line platform before ending the tour. They said, "It was so much fun, thank you," and, "One of my family members works at a travel agency, so I'll tell them about you." I was very happy that they enjoyed it.

At the ski resorts, they apparently ski more than twenty runs a day at full pace (even in my younger days, twelve or thirteen was about my limit). When I asked how they had such strong legs despite being around the same age as me, they said, "We usually get around by car, but there's a beach nearby, so we train by walking." They were a warm and talkative group, and I hope they thoroughly enjoyed Japan's powder snow.

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Tour Report by Danda

Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.