Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Noripy

Can You Do a Private, Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour of Roppongi and Aoyama in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time. The day before the tour, upon arriving in Japan, they had made their way from Narita Airport to their hotel in the Mejiro area using public transportation, transferring from the Keisei Liner to the Yamanote Line. They live near the west coast of North America, and since they normally live surrounded by nature, they expressed how much they looked forward to traveling to big cities with very different environments, such as New York and Tokyo. They planned to spend about four days in Tokyo and also to visit Kyoto and Osaka. Based on their request for a tour of unusual, less crowded places—excluding Yanaka, the Imperial Palace, and Shibuya, which they planned to visit on another day—I guided them mainly around Roppongi, including Aoyama Cemetery and Nogi Shrine.

Since their hotel was right next to Gakushuin University, I explained that today we would visit the shrine dedicated to Maresuke Nogi, who had once served as its president, and we boarded the Yamanote Line from Mejiro Station. We transferred to the Oedo Line at Yoyogi Station and headed to Roppongi Station. First, while introducing Roppongi Hills, I guided them to the stone monument marking the birthplace of Maresuke Nogi at its foot. Next, we went to Aoyama Cemetery. I had already set a fairly slow walking pace from the start, but because one of the guests was experiencing pain, we frequently looked for benches to sit and rest. Given these walking conditions, I had wanted to show General Nogi's grave but gave up on that idea, and instead we visited the grave of Eizaburo Ueno, associated with the Hachiko monument, before heading to the National Art Center, Tokyo. At the guests' request, one of them waited at the café on the first floor while I guided the other up to the third floor.

At Tokyo Midtown Roppongi that followed, they enjoyed lunch at an udon restaurant, having cold udon topped with tempura. We then visited a supermarket, and while enjoying mitarashi dango and a chocolate pie purchased there, we had a pleasant chat at a terrace table. One of the guests began to feel that visiting any further places would be too difficult and was inclined to return to the hotel. Since Nogi Shrine was only about a ten-minute walk away and part of the group wished to visit, they discussed it together, and only part of the group visited Nogi Shrine while the other continued to wait at the outdoor table over tea.

Because they wanted to learn the proper way to worship at a shrine before visiting shrines in Kyoto, I was able to explain this at Nogi Shrine. I also shared the life of General Nogi, including his relationship with Emperor Meiji, and at the adjacent Nogi Residence next to the shrine, they were able to see the room where he met his end. They observed everything with great interest and asked questions about the Russo-Japanese War and the background of his suicide by sword. As promised, we returned and reunited within 40 minutes, and from there we all returned to the hotel together. Although we were not able to visit Hamarikyu Gardens and Tokyo Tower as originally planned, the guests seemed very satisfied with the tour.

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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!