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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 08:50 Meet up @hotel MONday Premium Toyosu
  • 2. 09:10 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:00 Stay @Rikugien Garden
  • 4. 11:00 Travel: Subway (Coffee break at Shin-Ochanomizu along the way)
  • 5. 12:00 Stay @Yanaka
  • 6. 13:00 Disband @In front of Tokyo National Museum

Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Rikugien and Yanaka in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests' accommodation was a Hotel in Toyosu, which we used as the meeting point. Although the Hotel was about a 10-minute walk from Toyosu Station, we were able to use a shuttle bus, which saved time. Also, in response to the guests' request, we changed the tour start time to 9:00.

This time I guided the guests mainly around Rikugien Garden and Yanaka. As expected, the hydrangeas at Rikugien were beautiful, and I believe the guests enjoyed the quiet atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Since there was a request to be taken to the Tokyo National Museum after visiting Yanaka, I left Sansaki-zaka out of the course in Yanaka and instead guided them clockwise, focusing on Yomise-dori and Yanaka Ginza. After that, we walked toward Ueno from the direction of Tokyo University of the Arts and ended the tour in front of the museum.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassToyosu Station～Komagome Station600JPY
Section 2Free PassKomagome Station～Ochanomizu Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassShin-Ochanomizu Station～Sendagi Station0JPY
Total600JPY

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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