Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tachi

Title: What Is a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Asakusa

I had the pleasure of guiding a group visiting from Europe who are very experienced travelers, taking family trips around ten times a year (for example, a cycling tour in Hoi An in Vietnam, a glacier tour in Argentina, and Bangkok in Thailand, which they said was simply hot). In advance they let me know that they preferred a relaxed walking pace, had no particular destination requests, and would be staying in Shibuya after touring around various parts of Japan, so a Shibuya tour was not needed. The day before, one of the guests kindly sent a reminder about the day's attire (after an earlier tour, I had replied describing what I would be wearing that day so they could recognize me).

At the meeting point, after reconfirming the itinerary, I began the tour while being mindful of the walking pace and of keeping a comfortable distance from the guests. After explaining the background of Golden Gai in daytime, we headed to the subway. I had them purchase a 24-hour metro pass (one of the guests lost theirs partway through and repurchased it), as their JR Pass would only become usable the day after next, and we went to Meiji Shrine, which was holding its autumn grand festival. Meiji Shrine was even busier than usual, and afterward we walked to Takeshita Street in Harajuku. The micro-pig cafe was clearly a novelty to them.

It was just lunchtime, so we first aimed for a tonkatsu restaurant, but it was full, and I guided them to a nearby omurice restaurant instead (I confirmed with the guests that Western-style Japanese food was fine). I was kindly invited to sit and chat with them as well. For such well-traveled guests, the Japanese garden at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace was a familiar sight — while living in Amsterdam for over a decade, they had a friend with a residence featuring a Japanese garden, so they were already well acquainted with the basic composition and meaning of Japanese gardens.

Since we had time to spare, I added an unplanned visit to Yanaka. We walked through the shopping street, but perhaps because it was only their second day in Tokyo and they were holding off on purchases, they did not seem to buy anything. To make the most of it, we passed through the residential area near the Tsuiji-bei walls (I explained to the guests that we would keep our voices as low as possible so as not to disturb residents' daily lives, and they agreed) and made our way to Nippori Station (I explained that we would use the JR Yamanote Line, and they agreed and purchased separate tickets).

Finally, I guided them directly to the main hall of Senso-ji Temple, and shared what I thought would be useful information about Nikko, which they planned to visit a few days later, as well as the route back to their accommodation in Shinjuku (to convey this accurately, with the guests' consent I used my smartphone to check a transit app, email, and a memo app). We then parted ways.

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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!