Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

June, 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. 08:55 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 09:05 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 09:35 Stay @ Hakusan Shrine
  • 4. 10:15 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 10:30 Stay @ Nezu Shrine
  • 6. 11:15 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 11:40 Stay @ Asakusa
  • 8. 13:00 Disband @ Asakusa

What's a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hakusan Shrine, Nezu Shrine, and Asakusa

The hotel lobby was quite spacious, so it took a little time to find the guests, but since it was an open lobby with good visibility, we were able to gather safely before the start time.

It was my first time guiding at Hakusan Shrine, but since it was not very crowded, it felt like a suitable first stop. That said, for a 6-hour tour, I think I would have taken the guests to Rikugien, which has more highlights. When going from Hakusan to Nezu Shrine, I usually have the guests ride the subway for just one stop and then walk from Todaimae Station.

I had thought there might be a little extra time in the latter half, but since the guests purchased ukiyo-e prints and other items in Asakusa, the tour ended almost exactly on schedule, and afterward I traveled part of the way back together with the guests who were heading to Shibuya.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassTochomae Station～Hakusan Station900JPY
Section 2Free PassHon-Komagome Station～Todaimae Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassNezu Station～Asakusa Station0JPY
Total900JPY

Tour Report by Sam

Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

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