Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Nobu

Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Shibuya, and the Imperial Palace

The guests were visitors from North America who were scheduled to join a cruise ship tour a couple of days later. They had apparently not read the message I sent in advance and had assumed the tour would include a private car. When I explained that this was a walking tour and that, in principle, we would use public transportation to get around, they became displeased, saying they could not walk long distances. Even so, I explained the details of the information I had sent beforehand and told them that it would be fine to travel by car if they preferred, but that they would need to cover the cost. They accepted this, called an Uber, and we began the tour.

As I carefully guided them through Senso-ji Temple, their mood gradually improved, and by the time we headed to Shibuya, the atmosphere had become quite relaxed. After showing them the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, I asked what they would like to do next, and they said they wanted an early lunch. Since they wished to have sushi, I took them to a sushi restaurant. They seemed to really enjoy the sushi here, which lifted their spirits even more, and at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, where the tour concluded, they said, "Today was a lot of fun. Thank you very much."

Miscommunications sometimes occur before a tour, but as with today, there are many cases where the situation can be turned around and the guests end up satisfied in the end. Experiences like this remind me of both the joy and the challenge of being a guide.

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Tour Report by Nobu

Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
Nobu