Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Danda

What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Cruise Ship Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kabukicho, Asakusa, and Shibuya

I guided the group who came from North America. They had been traveling around Japan by cruise ship, with Tokyo as the final port of call, making it effectively their last day. The pre-tour communication was the most extensive I have ever had, with 38 exchanges. The majority of these were about a geisha experience, and I think only two or three were about the tour itself. It started with "Do you know any geisha in Shimizu Port?" and, after I introduced Miyakodori, where I had trained last year, I repeatedly explained what a geisha experience is and where Miyakodori fits in, and let them decide on the outline. Mr. Kawamura of Miyakodori was truly wonderful to work with (thank you). Since I was worried about cancellation fees, I spoke with Miyakodori and had the guests' credit card registered in advance. I had also declined the request to escort them to Miyakodori, but on the day they asked, "Could you please do it after all?" so I took it on as an extension after the [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) tour had ended, arriving at Miyakodori at 19:15, 15 minutes before the banquet, greeting the proprietress and Mr. Kawamura, and finishing there.

Now, as for the tour itself, in the case of a cruise, visits to each region are done by bus tour, so they had complaints that they could only go to fixed, standard places. On the other hand, the [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) tour received the evaluation that it was "the best because we can go wherever we want to go." As a result, the plan I had proposed during the few exchanges about the tour quickly fell apart, and it became Kabukicho, Asakusa, and Shibuya, with me adapting flexibly in each place. In Kabukicho, everyone's eyes lit up, saying "This is an interesting place," with many questions, and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, taking bizarre commemorative photos with some young men in front of a pufferfish restaurant. It seemed the group might head to Golden Gai after the geisha experience. In Asakusa, although they spent all their time searching for souvenirs, they also listened with interest to my introduction of Senso-ji Temple. In addition, we approached five Japanese female university students wearing kimono, obtained their permission, and took commemorative photos (thank you). So, after going well over time and having lunch (originally it was supposed to be Tsukiji), we headed to Shibuya because they wanted to "see the most crowded place in Japan." When they looked at it from Mark City, they said "Well, shall we head back to the hotel?" but when I suggested that since we came all this way, why not walk it, they said "Really? Then by all means," and everyone enjoyed the Shibuya Crossing. Everyone truly enjoyed themselves from the heart for six hours, so I also had a wonderful time being with them.

However, the shopping requests were sudden and quite scattered among everyone: "I want to buy a kitchen knife," "I want to buy a suitcase near the hotel," "I want to buy a backpack," "I want to go to the Bape store," "I want to buy golf clubs." I managed to clear everything except the golf clubs, but it was quite tiring. (When I was told they wanted to go to the Bape store on the Yamanote Line heading back to the hotel in Shinjuku, I honestly wished they had told me earlier, but since I was told "It's a souvenir for my child," I took the other guests to a place they knew in Shinjuku (the [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) tour ended there) and then returned to Shibuya.) But the guests were satisfied, which was the most important thing. I am also looking forward to the report on the geisha experience.

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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.