Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tachi

What's a Private Full-Day Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, Nezu, Yanaka, and Sensoji

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. In advance, they had requested Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, Nezu, and Sensoji. The tour was originally scheduled to begin at 13:00, but considering the business hours of Tsukiji and the Nakamise shopping street at Sensoji, I proposed a 12:00 start, and they agreed. They seemed very much looking forward to visiting Japan and were quite excited even at our meeting. In contrast, my own throat inflammation had not healed, so I began the tour speaking somewhat more softly than usual while pacing myself.

At Tsukiji, I introduced one shop after another as they caught our eye, and the guests enjoyed some steamed buns. One of the guests showed interest in knives as souvenirs for friends, so I introduced several well-known shops (the guests plan to return another day). Next was the East Gardens. Thanks to the recent hit drama "SHOGUN," almost no explanation was needed about the shoguns or Edo Castle (though I briefly explained about the Imperial Household). The East Gardens are compact and beautiful, and everyone was pleased. One of the guests seemed to specialize in plants and trees and spoke about them one after another (though to a guide with no knowledge of gardening, it all sounded like an alien language). No matter how much water I drank, the dryness and inflammation in my throat did not improve, so with the guests' understanding, I continued the tour wearing a mask.

In Nezu, I guided them to two shrines. After that, I showed them Snake Alley and the Yanaka shopping street (it was a Wednesday, so some shops were closed). Despite the light rain, we made the most of it and walked through the cemetery, Tennoji, the Ueno-Sakuragi area, and on to Ueno Park — truly a walking tour. When one of the guests was about to buy chopsticks at the Yanaka shopping street, I stopped them, saying, "I'll take you to a proper chopstick shop!" so we headed to Kappabashi. We arrived close to 5:30, and many shops were near closing, so for both the knife shop and the chopstick shop we only confirmed their locations (the guests plan to return another day).

When we arrived at Sensoji, the grounds were already lit up. It was good to be able to show them a scene different from the daytime view. Finally, I sent them information by email about how to return to their accommodation, recommended sightseeing spots in the Kanto area, and the nearest station where they could purchase the 72-hour Tokyo Metro pass for foreign tourists, and we parted ways. I felt apologetic that I was not in the best condition, but the guests seemed to understand, and I was relieved to receive a postcard from them as we said goodbye.

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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!