Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Marky

Title: What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Yanaka

The weather was clear and sunny, warm enough to work up a light sweat. I met the guests in the hotel lobby at 9:00. Since the hotel was in the Higashi-Ginza area, we walked to the Tsukiji Outer Market. We had coffee and breakfast at a café in front of the outer market, then headed into the market itself. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, the guests enjoyed sweets, sea urchin, yakitori, and eel, and also purchased a kitchen knife. After that, we traveled from Higashi-Ginza to Hibiya, and I guided the group from the Nijubashi Bridge into the East Gardens. We strolled from the main keep to the Ninomaru Garden, exited through the Hirakawa Gate, and headed to Takebashi Station.

The guests had been most looking forward to Asakusa. They purchased a folding fan as a souvenir at Nakamise, had a light snack of takoyaki and fried chicken from the street stalls, and then received goshuin stamps at both Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine in a goshuin book they said they had bought in Kyoto. We had originally planned to go from Ueno Park to Yanaka next, but since the guests wanted to save Ueno Park for last, we took a taxi directly to Yanaka to save time. In Yanaka, they again spent more than 30 minutes purchasing reasonably priced souvenirs such as folding fans and kitchen knives. Since Asakusa had finished earlier than scheduled, we had some time to spare, but places like the Toshogu Shrine in Ueno Park were only open until 17:00. At the guests' request, they wanted advice on planning their own tours for the following days, so we spent the remaining time resting at a Starbucks in Yanaka, discussing their upcoming destinations, and chatting. As there was still a little time before the 18:00 end time, and they mentioned they were heading to a hotel, I guided them by train to Tokyo Station, one stop before Yurakucho, and finished at 18:00.

From our prior communications, I had also provided information covering their journey to Tokyo, including Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. I supported them by confirming hotel cancellations and changes, and a few days before the tour I helped change a reservation at a high-end sushi restaurant, so quite a bit of time was spent outside the actual tour itself. They were very grateful, and the guests were both very kind, our conversations flowed easily, and it was a truly pleasant group to spend time with. This was a trip marking their 25th anniversary, planned two years in advance, and I believe I was able to help create lasting memories. By assisting with various things, I was also able to broaden my own knowledge in many ways.

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Tour Report by Marky

Nice to meet you. I’m Masayuki. Please call me Marky. After three years’ experience as a non-licensed guide, I took out the guide license as a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I have been living in Tokyo for over 25 years in total with some intervals. Not to mention famous historical places such as East gardens of the Imperial Palace, which is the former Edo castle, Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji temple and Ueno Park, I can show you around other places in Tokyo and surrounding areas. My policy is that I make in-depth research of the destinations even if I am not familiar with the place. Tokyo does not stop changing and continues to be renewed while it keeps traditions and remnants of the history. It is very exciting to know the things of the city. I am looking forward to guiding you and exploring this marvelous place.