Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Noripy

Can You Do a Private Tokyo Tour Before a Cruise from Yokohama? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. This tour was a Tokyo sightseeing trip making use of the time just before boarding a Japan sightseeing cruise ship departing from Yokohama. They traveled from a hotel in Yokohama to Tokyo by taxi, and we met under the Japanese national flag on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station. First, I introduced Tokyo Station. Then, while discussing where to end the tour, we decided that returning to Yokohama by Shinkansen would be smooth and would also let the guests experience the bullet train, so we purchased tickets to Shin-Yokohama and I introduced the entrance on the Yaesu side. We then walked to Nihombashi Station and took the Tozai Line to Takebashi Station. This first subway experience was somewhat surprising for some of the guests, who normally travel only by car in daily life. Going down the stairs also posed a physical burden, along with some psychological strain, so from that point on we decided not to use public transportation and to travel by taxi as much as possible to reduce the walking distance.

First, we entered the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, which had been a top point of interest, through the Hirakawamon Gate. The guests strolled leisurely through the Ninomaru Garden, and they seemed especially captivated by the beauty of the long-tailed nishikigoi. To keep the walking as flat as possible, I only explained the site of the former castle keep and, without climbing the slope, we headed toward the Hyakunin Bansho, the Doshin Bansho, and the Otemon Gate. At a shop just before it, the guests purchased chopsticks bearing the imperial crest, and they also stamped a commemorative seal on the East Gardens leaflet to keep as a souvenir.

Considering how the walking had gone up to that point, I had judged that visiting Meiji Shrine and the National Museum would be difficult, and the guests themselves requested that we remove the National Museum from the plan. Since one of the guests had many dietary considerations, we decided to move to the Shin-Marunouchi Building, which offered many options within a flat walking distance, to have lunch. I showed them the entire restaurant floor, and the guests chose Franz Club, a German restaurant, since they wanted Western-style food. It was fortunate that we could be seated without waiting. They ordered items such as Milanese-style cutlet and pretzels, and one of the guests ordered a beer, and they were very satisfied. They emphasized how clean Japanese towns are and asked what lay behind this, so I talked about the Japanese education system in which students themselves clean their classrooms after class, as well as home education and environmental education. Within that conversation there were also questions about values such as frugality and thrift, and the topic developed into Bushido. The conversation grew lively, and after lunch there was no time left to visit Meiji Shrine, and we also needed to make sure not to miss the already-issued 4:12 Shinkansen departing from Tokyo Station.

So, we viewed places easily accessible by taxi, such as Tokyo Tower and the Niten-mon Gate of the Yushoin Mausoleum at Zojoji Temple, from the taxi window, and arrived at the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station shortly after 3:30. On Character Street, some of the guests purchased souvenirs for their grandchildren. Finally, I saw them off on the platform to make sure they could board their reserved Nozomi train, and we parted ways.

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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!