Tokyo in One Day: Conrad Tokyo & Shinjuku Gyoen — Guide Danda

Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, and Shinjuku

The guests were a lovely group from North America with a wonderful, warm rapport. They mentioned an interest in history (especially shrines and temples) and food, so at Tsukiji they had many questions (they seemed keen to see the auction at Toyosu, so I explained they should go early by taxi to arrive by 5:30). At Yonemoto Coffee, they were eager to try the coffee and placed an order. Honganji Temple was holding a memorial service, so unfortunately we could not approach the altar area, but they were interested in offering incense and using the purification fountain and gave both a try. At Namiyoke Shrine, after my explanation, they mentioned that they eat a lot of eggs, so they enjoyed taking a commemorative photo in front of the egg monument.

We kept Shibuya brief and headed toward Harajuku Station, but after boarding the Yamanote Line at Shibuya Station, I was startled when a person forced the closed doors open to get off and even tried to push one of the guests out. Fortunately nothing serious happened, but it was truly regrettable that the guests were made to feel uncomfortable, and it was extremely poor conduct.

At Meiji Shrine, they were interested in the waka poetry and wrote their wishes on an ema votive tablet. On Takeshita Street, they were fascinated by the animal cafés and considered which ones to visit on another day. On the way back we passed Togo Shrine, where, as expected, they enjoyed the beautiful koi in the pond. When I asked to take a photo of them with the koi, they happily took a commemorative photo in the same way, which was very heartwarming.

Things were going well up to that point, but I completely forgot that Shinjuku Gyoen is closed on Mondays, for which I was truly sorry (a lesson learned). As a silver lining, they were able to shop in the basement food hall of the Isetan department store in Shinjuku and had time on the rooftop to ease their hunger.

Since their dinner spot for the day was Kagurazaka, one of my favorite areas, I shared how to get there and recommended some well-known and favorite restaurants, and I was also able to give details on the Fukagawa area as a destination for the following days (since we could not visit a garden today, I recommended Kiyosumi Garden, along with Fukagawa Fudodo, and, as they liked Japanese sake, Orihara Shoten, all of which the guests recorded on their phones).

In Kabukicho, they were surprised when I explained the host clubs with their many signs, and when I introduced a fugu restaurant on the way to Golden Gai, one of them said they wanted to eat it while the other reacted with reluctance to a poisonous fish, which made for an amusing exchange to observe. The guests were very lively and refreshing, never sitting down no matter how many seats were open on the train and walking rather than standing still on escalators. Despite my mistake, I received words of gratitude at the end, which I will take as encouragement for the future.

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

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.