Tokyo in One Day: @ TOKYO BUSINESS CLINIC — Guide Hide

Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour with Asakusa and Cherry Blossoms Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

Today's guests were visitors from North America who had spent around 20 hours traveling to reach Tokyo. When I asked about the motivation for making such a long journey to Japan, they said they had a strong interest in cultural experiences. While confirming the tour details at the meeting point at the Hotel, one of the guests mentioned that their finger had been caught in a car door at the airport before departure, and hoped to have it looked at after visiting Asakusa. Soon after arriving in Asakusa, we checked at the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center about hospitals where English was spoken and insurance could be processed. We decided to do some sightseeing first and then head to a business clinic in Ueno afterward. The cherry blossoms at Sensoji Temple were about 70% in bloom and had become beautifully full. We enjoyed Sensoji, stopping for ningyo-yaki at Nakamise and visiting a dango shop on the way back, and walked as far as Sumida Park to check the blossoms, which looked to be about 50% in bloom there. After leaving Asakusa, we went to a hospital, which was not on the original itinerary at all, but since it was a priority, I decided to stay with them until it was finished. At the first hospital they were not able to receive full treatment and were referred elsewhere, so they were seen at an emergency clinic in Kanda. While waiting at the hospital, I was able to explain how to get around Hakone, which they were planning to visit, and we also talked about culture, religion, and other topics. The day ran considerably longer than planned, but it turned out to be a day for which the guests were very grateful.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Hide

I registered as a national guide in February 2015 and began working as an interpreter guide in 2019. I have been guiding throughout Tokyo (I was born and raised in Setagaya and went to elementary and junior high school in Aoyama, Minato-ku. I am familiar with sightseeing spots and gourmet food in this area, including Shibuya), and I now live in Kanagawa (Yokohama where I have lived more than 30 years, and Kamakura, Odawara, Hakone)
I worked for the Japanese branch of an American advertising company for over 30 years and, thus, have deep knowledge of marketing and branding.
My hobbies are travel (domestic and international) and bicycling (I have participated in the Tour de Okinawa citizens’ race every year since 2017. I ride approx. 7,000 kilometers a year). When traveling in Japan, I enjoy traditional crafts, local products, food, and sake from each region. I am also active in a band as a third hobby, performing live once a year for ten years.
As a guide, I mainly guide small groups (about 4-5 people), where I can communicate more closely and politely with them, rather than large groups.
My activity aims to deepen the understanding of Japanese traditional culture and the Japanese people among foreign visitors and to make a small contribution to making Japan the number one country to revisit in their hearts.