Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tachi

What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like in Late Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report

[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private Tokyo tour for guests visiting from Oceania. In pre-tour communication, the guests had initially expressed interest in places such as Yoyogi Park and the National Museum in Ueno, but since they preferred to end the tour near their hotel, I recommended a visit to Hamarikyu Gardens instead. The guests were interested in all kinds of things, including culture and food, and one of them was fond of history and very knowledgeable about the films of Akira Kurosawa. They loved the atmosphere of the man-made forest and Meiji Shrine, which felt hard to believe was in the middle of the city. They seemed to have had a hearty breakfast, so at Tsukiji they only had wagyu skewers and wagyu sushi.

As the weather forecast had predicted, the lingering summer heat was severe and the humidity rose, and signs of fatigue gradually began to show in the guests. Since the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were closed that day, I guided them to the area in front of the Main Gate and Nijubashi Bridge. After a restroom break at the Outer Garden, we walked to JR Tokyo Station (staying in the shade as much as possible) and headed to the 7th floor of KITTE Marunouchi, which I recommended for its views (I also showed photos of the night view to recommend it).

At that point, the guests said, "We still have two hours left, but we would like to return to the hotel and rest after this." I noticed that the guests' second bottle of water was almost empty. When I asked, "Did the roughly 10-minute walk from the Imperial Palace Main Gate to Tokyo Station affect you more than expected?" they kindly explained, "There is nothing wrong with the itinerary at all, and we had a wonderful time. However, we only arrived at 6 in the evening the other day, and we are still not used to the jet lag and the heat and humidity here. We will be traveling around Japan (Hakone, Takayama, Kyoto, and Hiroshima) for nearly two more weeks, so we would like to be cautious today just in case."

The guests had purchased a 24-hour metro subway pass, but considering their condition, I thought it would be best for them to return to the hotel as soon as possible, so with their consent we headed to JR Tokyo Station. While waiting on the platform, they rehydrated. Although the visit to Hamarikyu did not come true this time, I happened to have a pamphlet of Tokyo gardens, which I handed over and recommended. For the guest interested in kitchen goods, I recommended information about Kappabashi Street. I safely saw the guests off from JR Shimbashi Station to the front of their hotel, and we parted ways.

This was a case where the guests' physical condition could not keep up with the lingering heat and humidity. Even when guests appear energetic at the start of a tour, I was reminded once again that I must be even more careful than before with things like going up and down stairs and walking outdoors.

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Tour Report by Tachi

Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!