Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Asakusa — Guide Danda

Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I guided a group visiting from North America who had already enjoyed a Shinjuku tour, a sumo show, the Pokemon Center in Shibuya, and Madame Tussauds in Odaiba. Today it unfortunately rained, so we strolled on wet ground, but the guests hardly seemed to mind. While walking from the hotel to the station, one of the guests told me, "I like this pace, but the others walk slowly," and when we turned around, indeed some of the group were farther behind. So throughout the day, while chatting as we walked, I kept an eye on the walking speed and made sure to keep the rest of the group in sight. On the Oedo Line, one of the guests became interested in an advertisement (spotting the words "I am donut?" among the job listings), so before heading to Meiji Shrine we visited the always-crowded I am donut? Harajuku branch. "Oh, good idea!" they said, taking a commemorative photo with a smile. In Harajuku, when I mentioned, "There are many animal cafes here," and introduced a cat cafe on the fourth floor near the station, one of the guests rather strongly asked, "It's raining, so let's go in here," but we proceeded to Meiji Shrine as planned. At Meiji Shrine, rather than talk about the shrine itself, the conversation somehow turned lively around tuition fees, and eventually even to the question, "What's the connection with Meiji chocolate?" (Maybe next time I'll bring some Meiji chocolate.) On the Ginza Line heading to our final destination, Asakusa, since they planned to go to Akihabara after the tour, I handed one of the guests a map and exit guide for Akihabara Station along with information on shops related to Pokemon and retro games that they had requested. One of the guests had been playing Pokemon GO the whole time and was looking forward to Akihabara. In Asakusa, we went from Azumabashi through the underground arcade and Shin-Nakamise Street, avoiding the rain a little, then through some back streets while I introduced a few shops, and made our way to the main hall. Since they hadn't had lunch, I thought a little something for their stomachs would be good, so they tried the melon bread from Kagetsudo on the west approach and the square meat burger from Kadomatsu. Both were well received, but when I asked, "Which one would you like to eat again?" the answer was, "The square meat burger, for sure — I wanted a second one." Finally, we saw Nakamise and Kaminarimon, and I took them to Gonpachi for lunch, where we parted ways.

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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.