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. 09:30 Meet @ Hotel Annex Rokku
  • 2. 09:50 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:20 Stay @ Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
  • 4. 11:25 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 12:00 Stay @ Yanaka
  • 6. 12:50 Travel: Train
  • 7. 13:20 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 8. 13:45 Disband @ Shibuya Scramble Square

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Including a Japanese Garden? A Licensed Guide's Report

The meeting point Hotel was one I had visited before, and I confirmed again that because it is a bit far from Asakusa Station, it takes quite a while to reach the subway.

In advance emails, the guests had listed Shinjuku Gyoen and Shibamata as desired spots, but since Shinjuku Gyoen is closed on Mondays, I guided them to Koishikawa Korakuen instead. The water lilies seemed to be starting to close their blossoms a little, but I could still confirm that several were in bloom. The lotus flowers also had a few large blossoms open, which was more than enough for taking photos. Shibamata is far from other spots, and there are rumors that it is not very welcoming to tourists, so I took the guests to Yanaka instead.

Since one of the guests wished to go shopping in Shibuya after the tour, I showed them the Shibuya crossing at the end and guided them to the restaurant floor of Scramble Square before we parted ways.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayAsakusa Station～Iidabashi Station210JPY
Section 2SubwayIidabashi Station～Sendagi Station210JPY
Section 3TrainNippori Station～Shibuya Station210JPY
Total630JPY

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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