Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

September, 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. 09:45 Meet @ Hotel Otemachi
  • 2. 09:55 Travel: Train, Subway
  • 3. 10:30 Stay @ Asakusa
  • 4. 11:30 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 11:45 Stay @ Tokyo National Museum
  • 6. 13:40 Travel: Train
  • 7. 13:50 Stay @ Akihabara
  • 8. 14:15 Disband @ Akihabara UDX

What Does a Private Tokyo Day Tour of Asakusa and the Tokyo National Museum Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. I sent a message via a messaging app to the phone number provided by the travel agency, and we were able to communicate the day before.

On the day of the tour, the guests' requested spots were Asakusa and the Tokyo National Museum. I had originally planned to guide them to Meiji Shrine, but since Ueno is closer to Asakusa, I respected the guests' wishes and changed the itinerary.

Since I could not predict how much time we would spend at the Tokyo National Museum, I wrapped up the Asakusa portion a little earlier than planned. The Tokyo National Museum was extremely crowded, hard to believe it was a weekday, partly because the final day of the special exhibition was approaching. The guests said they did not mind changing the spot if the wait was too long, but since it was such a valuable opportunity, I recommended that they view the special exhibition. The special exhibition, filled with National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, was truly spectacular. I believe the guests, who were interested in art and anime, found it very satisfying.

After viewing the Tokyo National Museum, I took the guests to Akihabara, which was close to their hotel, introduced them to a restaurant in Akihabara UDX, and then we parted ways.

I have also attached the receipt for the special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum and listed it under the facility usage fee.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainTokyo Station～Ueno Station170JPY
Section 2SubwayUeno Station～Asakusa Station180JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station～Ueno Station180JPY
Section 4TrainUeno Station～Akihabara Station150JPY
Total680JPY

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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