Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Sam

August, 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. 08:25 Meet @ Toei Subway Ushigome-Yanagicho Station, outside the ticket gate
  • 2. 08:30 Transfer: Subway
  • 3. 08:50 Visit @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
  • 4. 10:10 Transfer: Subway
  • 5. 10:35 Visit @ Asakusa
  • 6. 11:45 Lunch @ Yoroiya
  • 7. 12:20 Transfer: Subway
  • 8. 13:05 Visit @ Meiji Shrine
  • 9. 13:55 Visit @ Takeshita Street
  • 10. 14:15 Disband @ Jingumae Intersection

Title: What's a Private Full-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Higashi Gyoen, Asakusa, and Harajuku

The guests were visitors to Japan staying at a private rental, so the meeting point was set at Ushigome-yanagicho Station, close to their accommodation. Otemachi Station turned out to be surprisingly nearby, which made the travel easier than expected.

At the East Gardens (Higashi Gyoen), I guided them, as on the previous day, to the bamboo grove beside the main keep's large lawn. It is a slight detour, but since the reaction from guests is so positive, I would like to keep incorporating it into the course whenever there is enough time.

Since they seemed to enjoy ramen, I took them to Yoroiya, a popular shop in Asakusa. We were fortunate to visit in the morning before it got crowded.

At every spot we avoided spending too much time, and the tour progressed steadily from start to finish. I heard that they had a reservation at a cafe in Omotesando after 4:00 p.m., so after guiding them along Takeshita Street, we parted ways at the Jingumae intersection.

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Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayUshigome-Yanagicho Station～Otemachi Station220JPY
Section 2SubwayOtemachi Station～Asakusa Station180JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station～Meiji-jingumae Station260JPY
Total660JPY

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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Jul 21, 2026
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Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
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Excellent tour of Tokyo!
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