Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tachi

What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for an Anime Fan? A Licensed Guide's Report on Harajuku, the Imperial Palace, and Akihabara

[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day Tokyo tour for a guest visiting from Europe. According to advance communication, the guest wanted to visit the Imperial Palace, Harajuku, and Akihabara (an anime fan) and to do some shopping. Since three locations alone would leave plenty of extra time, after departing from the hotel in Shinjuku, I first guided the guest to Golden Gai and Hanazono Shrine. I learned that this was the guest's fourth visit to Japan, that the previous visit had been before the pandemic, and that the guest had stayed in Shibuya and Ueno before. The guest also mentioned having visited Akihabara the day before without finding the desired figure, and hoped to look at a different store today if possible.

Since many shops open after 11:00 on weekdays, I first guided the guest to the three malls at the Jingumae intersection on Omotesando (Harakado, Tokyu Plaza Omotesando, and Laforet Harajuku) and Cat Street. Once it was 11:00, I guided the guest to Takeshita Street, and at the Sanrio CUTE CUBE HARAJUKU store the guest purchased a souvenir for a family member. Next we entered an anime store in Harajuku, where the guest bought several items including Ghibli goods. The guest showed no particular interest in animal cafes, sweets, or light meals. At the Uniqlo Harajuku store, the guest bought a T-shirt with a traditional craftsman motif for themselves.

Since the guest seemed to like character goods such as Hello Kitty, I headed back toward Omotesando to guide the guest to KIDDY LAND (to save time, we took the subway even though it was only one stop). The guest wanted a Hello Kitty handkerchief, which was not for sale, but was able to buy a Ghibli handkerchief instead, which worked out well. At the Imperial Palace, I guided the guest to the main gate and Nijubashi bridge, where we took photos, and the guest seemed to enjoy the atmosphere.

For lunch, I guided the guest to a restaurant in the KITTE building near Tokyo Station, where the guest ordered ramen and a beer. Since the guest was traveling alone, I sat with them, but as I had a sore throat with the change of season, I limited myself to ice cream, which was easy on the throat. We headed to Akihabara by JR line and stopped by Radio Kaikan and Mandarake, but the desired figure could not be found (even after asking staff), and the guest seemed a little disappointed. We took photos at JR Akihabara Station and parted ways there. The guest could already manage a good deal of Japanese greetings and was a dedicated anime fan, whose enthusiasm was impressive.

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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!