Tokyo Local Shopping Streets Tour — Guide Noripy

Title: What Is a Wheelchair-Friendly Private Shopping Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ginza and Roppongi

The guest was visiting Japan for the first time from North America. As the guest wished to have some time to explore independently, the guest booked this tour. Considering that the purpose was a shopping tour, I proposed shopping at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi as a wheelchair-friendly location, using the Oedo Line for transportation. Right after departure, the guest wanted coffee, so I introduced Ginza Street on the way to Cafe Paulista, but it was full and we could not get in. Two nearby coffee shops had not yet opened, so we walked to Higashi-Ginza, where I introduced the Kabukiza Theatre and then guided the guest to Tully's Coffee in the underground Kobikicho area. The guest enjoyed coffee and pancakes there. The guest showed interest in the single-act seats at the Kabukiza Theatre. On the way to Tsukiji Market Station to board the Toei Oedo Line, we passed through Tsukiji Market, where the guest saw persimmons and mentioned never having tried them before. The guest enjoyed some cut persimmon fruit.

Boarding the Oedo Line as a first experience of the Tokyo subway, we traveled to Roppongi. The guest enjoyed shopping at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi. At the Suntory Museum of Art shop, the guest purchased an incense sachet set, a furoshiki cloth with a great wave design, and other items. The Suntory Museum of Art itself was closed that day, and since there were no other visitors besides us, there was ample space for a wheelchair, allowing the guest to enjoy shopping in a relaxed manner without needing to be concerned about the surrounding space. At another shop displaying and selling Japanese ceramics, to avoid touching the fragile items, the guest got up from the wheelchair (able to stand for a short time) to browse. Afterward, for lunch, the guest enjoyed a Japanese set meal of fish, and kindly shared stories about family. Finally, I guided the guest to the Imperial Palace, which the guest very much wanted to see. On the way back, we returned to the Hotel from there without using the subway. I chose this route thinking it would be flat, but when we arrived at the Hotel, the guest showed signs of fatigue. I reflected that even though the road was flat, the sidewalk was slightly higher than the roadway, so dealing with the unevenness may have been challenging.

This time, I guided a guest using an electric wheelchair for the first time. Although I had planned and prepared the tour in advance, checking elevator entrances to the subway along the expected route and locations suitable for shopping by wheelchair, there were several points for reflection as a result. Boarding the Toei Oedo Line, which we used first, was possible without any special assistance equipment, but when boarding the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line at Roppongi Station, the gap between the train and the platform was too wide for the guest's electric wheelchair, and we could not board without a board to bridge them. When entering the ticket gate, a station attendant kindly asked us, but imagining the situation on the Oedo Line, I casually answered "It's fine." Only when we took the elevator down to the platform and actually tried to board did I recognize the difficult situation. As the guide, I had to return to the ticket gate again to ask the station attendant for assistance. As a result, the guest had to wait alone in that spot for about five minutes. I would like to make use of this experience and lesson in the future.

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Tour Report by Noripy

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!