Tokyo in One Day: &Here Tokyo Ueno & Meiji Shrine — Guide Danda

What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nezu, Yanaka, Harajuku, and Shinjuku

I guided a group visiting from Europe. Beforehand, all communication was handled through the travel agency, and I confirmed the destinations when we met at the hotel on the day. They wanted a combination of old Japanese streetscapes and modern areas, so the itinerary became Nezu Shrine, Yanaka, Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine, and Shinjuku. At Nezu Shrine, we passed by the many people lined up just as they were the day before (today the azalea garden admission had dropped to 500 yen), and we simply admired the azaleas from the outside, which was more than enough. The red torii gates were especially popular, with plenty of photos being taken. As we walked the usual Yanaka course toward Nippori, we were always able to chat with someone along the way, making it a delightful stroll. The younger members of the group asked me all sorts of questions and chatted freely, which warmed my heart, and I was amazed by their high level of English. Since I often talk with guests about English education in Japan, I actually had some of the guests try a Japanese university common English test and a prefectural high school entrance English exam on the train between Nippori and Harajuku. Both said it was "easy" and completed them with no trouble. It reminded me again of the shortcomings of English education in Japan, but it was interesting to hear about schools and education. The guests were very curious and asked all kinds of little questions, and since I was interested in their home region as well, I was able to ask them various things in return, making it a win-win. The most amusing moment this time was at Meiji Shrine, when we stopped at the water purification basin. One of the guests asked, "Why do you rinse your mouth, and what does it mean?" and I answered, "To cleanse impurities and purify distracting thoughts such as greed and anger." One of them said, "That's perfect for me. I'll have to rinse with water every day, then," and the group laughed heartily about how they can get angry easily. When I added, "Now you've become a kinder person," some of the guests burst into laughter again. This is how the whole tour went — always chatting with someone, and full of laughter all day. During the final farewell, some of the guests said, "At first I was nervous about what kind of person you'd be, but I quickly relaxed and had a great time," and, "Instead of the ordinary sightseeing spots (though to us they are ordinary), it was wonderful to hear enjoyable stories from many different angles." The others smiled and said "thank you" in Japanese. I was truly grateful to spend the day with such a wonderful 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.