Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

July, 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. 09:55 Meet up @ Hotel Shin-Okubo
  • 2. 10:00 Travel: Train, Subway
  • 3. 10:30 Stay @ Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
  • 4. 11:30 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 12:00 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Main Store
  • 6. 12:30 Stay @ Tsukiji
  • 7. 13:30 Travel: Subway
  • 8. 13:50 Stay @ Tokyo Tower
  • 9. 14:40 Disband @ Tokyo Metro Kamiyacho Station

What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Koishikawa Korakuen, Tsukiji, and Tokyo Tower

As I had anticipated from the location of the Hotel, the guests were part of a group visiting Japan. Since they wished to purchase a 3-day subway free pass, we first traveled from Shin-Okubo Station to Takadanobaba Station, where I guided them to a staffed counter where the pass could be purchased.

The guests seemed interested in Japanese gardens, so I chose Koishikawa Korakuen as our first stop, as it is easily accessible from Takadanobaba Station. In summer, Koishikawa Korakuen is often plagued by mosquitoes, and this time everyone got bitten, but the insect repellent spray I had brought from home proved somewhat helpful.

Since lunch and the explanations at Tsukiji finished a little earlier than expected, I took them to Tokyo Tower at the end, and we parted ways at Kamiyacho Station on the way back.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShin-Okubo Station～Takadanobaba Station150JPY
Section 2SubwayTakadanobaba Station～Iidabashi Station180JPY
Section 3SubwayIidabashi Station～Shintomicho Station180JPY
Section 4SubwayTsukiji Station～Kamiyacho Station180JPY
Total690JPY

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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