Tokyo: Senso-ji Temple & Imperial Palace — Guide Seizo

Title: What Is a Private Wheelchair-Accessible Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Shibuya

The guests were a group visiting from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They planned to sightsee in Tokyo and around Mount Fuji before continuing on to Kyoto. Because one member of the group used a wheelchair, all travel apart from the initial visit to Asakusa was done by taxi. (The taxi fares were all covered by the guests, so there were no transportation costs advanced by the guide.) The booking had been made by one of the guests, who understood that this was a walking tour, but another member of the group had initially thought it would be a tour by private vehicle. Since we needed to arrive at the tea experience venue by 9:50 for the reserved tea ceremony, and because moving with the wheelchair took extra time, we had to keep the visit to Sensoji Temple short. Normally the guide is not permitted to accompany guests during the tea experience, but because one of the guests used a wheelchair, a staff member at the venue asked the guide to join and provide assistance, so I stayed with the group and helped. The guests greatly enjoyed the tea experience. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. In Shibuya, due to a sudden heavy downpour, we made only a short stop before returning to the guests' accommodation. Although the afternoon brought unfortunate heavy rain, I believe the guests were satisfied with the tea experience and the rest of the tour.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Tour & Tea Ceremony with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Seizo

I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto