Tokyo in One Day: Jidaiya Meiji-kan & Chidorigafuchi — Guide Danda

Title: What's a Full-Day Private Kimono and Asakusa Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I guided a group visiting from North America. The tour began with a request to change the meeting point to a kimono rental shop in Asakusa, since the guests wanted to explore Asakusa while wearing kimono. They seemed to enjoy taking their time at each location, and I often helped with photography, while everyone enjoyed the different spots in their own way. At lunchtime, one of the guests began to feel discomfort in their toes from the traditional zori sandals and clearly did not want to walk any further, so I and another one of the guests went to the rickshaw stand at the rental shop and took a rickshaw to the lunch location. There, we switched passengers, and some of the guests rode the rickshaw back to the shop (a trial fare of 5,000 yen). After changing back into regular clothes, it was heartwarming to see everyone happily poking their heads through the holes of a white monument along the Sumida River for photos. At Sumida Park, the guests rested on the lawn while enjoying strawberry daifuku. They wanted to go to Kappabashi by taxi, so we walked to the taxi stand near Tokyo Skytree. Along the way, when I explained sumo at the Naruto stable, one of the guests amusingly asked, "Can I open the door and peek inside?" At Kappabashi, we entered a knife shop, where the guests were looking for something to cut vegetables. After trying out 7-8 knives with test cuts (using up all the daikon meant for test cutting), the one that felt best turned out to be expensive, so they chose based more on price than anything else. Since we spent quite a long time there, I talked a lot with the shop staff, and I was reminded that specialized knowledge is essential. Personally, it was an educational visit to the knife shop. Finally, there was a strong wish to see the illumination at Chidorigafuchi, so we took the subway there. Even though they had visited Shinjuku Gyoen and Shibuya Sky the previous day, this was their first time on the subway (they had traveled by taxi the day before), and one of the guests was delighted to finally ride it. I concluded the tour by introducing an Indian restaurant, Mumbai, recommended by the Indian Embassy, as a place for dinner. They were a calm and very close-knit group.

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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.