Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Noripy
October, 2024
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 1. 8:00 Meet up @Hotel Hillarys Akasaka
- 2. 8:30 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Imperial Palace Front Plaza)
- 3. 9:00 @Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Marunouchi-side Station Building)
- 4. 9:30 @Rikugien Garden (including sencha tea experience at Shinsentei)
- 5. 11:00 @Meiji Shrine
- 6. 11:45 @Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 7. 12:30 @Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, FUKURAS)
- 8.13:00 Lunch @Tsujita (inside FUKURAS)
- 9. 14:15 Disband @Hotel Hillarys Akasaka
What's a Private Tokyo Tour Focused on Japanese Scents Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was visiting Japan for the first time from Europe, and joined a private Tokyo tour after their work had concluded. At Rikugien Garden, there happened to be a complimentary sencha green tea service taking place, and at Shinsentei — a teahouse not normally open to the public — a staff member gave a detailed explanation and demonstration of the tea in English, allowing us to enjoy delicious sencha. The teahouse also had tea flowers (fresh cut) arranged in a vase, and as the guest had a deep interest in plants and scents, they listened with great interest. The person who gave the explanation had also lived in Britain and explained everything clearly in fluent English, which was very much appreciated. After checking the aroma of the tea leaves, the guest carefully savored both the first and second brews, poured at the proper temperature, along with their fragrance. At the souvenir shop at Meiji Shrine, the guest compared the scents of different incense sticks. Also, when we had ramen for lunch, I introduced the black pepper on the counter, and the guest carefully checked its aroma as well. The guest mentioned, "Tomorrow I'd like to visit a botanical garden (referring to Shinjuku Gyoen) and find my favorite fragrant tree." During today's tour, we encountered this scent many times along the roadside. The favorite fragrant tree turned out to be the fragrant olive (kinmokusei). The blooming of kinmokusei in Tokyo had been later than usual this year, but it was fortunate that it coincided with the guest's visit. The guest was delighted with this fragrance. It became a tour that the guest enjoyed through the theme of "scent."
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Nagatacho Station～Sakuradamon Station | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | JR Yamanote Line Tokyo Station～Komagome Station | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Komagome Station～Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae Station～Shibuya Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station～Akasaka-mitsuke Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 780JPY | ||
Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
Best Post cruise tour ever
It was…
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
Best Post cruise tour ever
It was a GREAT TOUR with Noripy! With a family of many different ages and walking levels this was fantastic. We were picked up from our cruise in Yokohama and dropped off at Haneda airport. We had about 10 hours before our flight and it went flawlessly.
June 19, 2026
Alec T
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…
June 19, 2026
Alec T
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
Noripy was excellent! She guided us through several parts of the city: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, Sangedatsumon, Zojo-ji, Meiji Jingu, and Golden Gai. A great way to see many Tokyo sites and get acquainted with the city on your first day!
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady who managed to fit all the iconic Tokyo spots into my 6-hour tour without anything feeling rushed. She was knowledgeable, organised, and genuinely kind. Toward the end she even helped me with some shopping, which I really appreciated. A wonderful introduction to Tokyo and a guide I’d happily recommend….
Jun 3, 2026
Sara B
Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…
Jun 3, 2026
Sara B
Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Noripy gave a 5/5 tour! She provided useful instruction for public transport use, fascinating historical information, spiritual customs and current cultural practices- All with an infectious smile and never ending positive energy. Noripy’s tour allowed us to made the most of the rest of our time in Tokyo. I feel like we did 5 days of sightseeing in 6 hrs! But Noripy made sure to always check if we wanted a break. Our tour was customized for my 2 teenage kids and I, and if we saw or thought of something along the way that interested us, Noripy accommodated! I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Tokyo. And you will be extra lucky to get Noripy for your guide!