Tokyo Japanese Gardens Private Tour — Guide Tachi

Title: What's a Private Garden-Focused Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America who had requested, in pre-tour messages, to see as many gardens as possible and to travel by taxi. Based on this, I sent a proposed itinerary in advance. At the meeting point, we confirmed the plan again and, with the guests' understanding that they would cover the taxi fares, we began the tour by taxi.

We arrived at the Shinjuku Gate of Shinjuku Gyoen and purchased tickets with the senior discount (from this year, ID presentation is no longer required) before entering. It turned out that one of the guests volunteers as a garden guide at a local garden back home and has even appeared on YouTube. As we walked through the garden, we stopped here and there to check the names of trees, plants, and flowers, and I also looked them up using the photo function on my smartphone. The other guest, who also loves nature, cheerfully enjoyed the stroll.

After leaving the Japanese garden, we took a taxi from the taxi stand in front of Sendagaya Station on the JR line to Meiji Shrine. The guests had already visited Meiji Shrine two days earlier on a bus tour on a rainy day, so this time we entered from the North Approach and I guided them to the Inner Garden. We viewed the South Pond (where lotuses were blooming, and water striders were mistaken for mosquitoes), the Iris Field (with some flowers at their peak), and Kiyomasa's Well (they were surprised by the coldness of the spring water and the many visitors).

Perhaps because taxi travel was smooth on a holiday, we progressed ahead of schedule and moved on to Hamarikyu Gardens. In the tidal pond, fish jumped several times, and many jellyfish were drifting on the water's surface. We rested briefly at Fujimi Hill, and I introduced the ruins of the falconry facility and the Takeshiba water gate. The guests were captivated by the branch shape of the three-hundred-year-old pine.

For lunch, I guided them to a restaurant inside a nearby commercial mall, where the guests each ordered a fried chicken set meal. At the East Gardens, we entered from Hirakawamon Gate to the Ninomaru Garden, where they admired the golden carp and the many pines. After exiting the Otemon Gate, I showed them to a nearby taxi stand, and we parted with smiles and a hug.

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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!