Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — 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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 09:30 Meet up @ Hotel Premier Asakusa
  • 2. 09:40 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:20 Visit @ East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
  • 4. 11:25 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 11:40 Visit @ Meiji Shrine
  • 6. 12:40 Travel: Train (JR)
  • 7. 12:45 Visit @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 8. 13:05 Travel: Subway
  • 9. 13:50 Lunch @ Aoi-Marushin
  • 10. 14:35 Visit @ Senso-ji Temple
  • 11. 15:35 Disband @ Hotel Premier Asakusa

What Does a Private Tokyo Day Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Asakusa

The guests on this tour did not use a messaging app, so I was concerned right up until the meeting time, but some of the guests arrived first and we were able to meet up without any trouble.

The spots they had hoped to visit were the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Rikugien Garden. However, the weather was poor that day, and since Rikugien is located far from the other spots, we removed it from the itinerary. On the other hand, since they had only arrived in Asakusa the previous night and had not yet visited Senso-ji Temple or Nakamise Street, I decided to guide them there at the end of the tour.

As the guests were all in good shape, I guided them all the way to the main keep area at the East Gardens. They also already had an activated Japan Rail Pass, so we used the Yamanote Line to travel from Harajuku to Shibuya.

As it was the last day of a three-day holiday weekend, both Meiji Shrine and Asakusa were very crowded. I gave a slightly more detailed explanation around Senso-ji Temple, and we parted ways in front of the Hotel.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassAsakusa Station～Otemachi Station600JPY
Section 2Free PassOtemachi Station～Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
Section 3TrainHarajuku Station～Shibuya Station150JPY
Section 4Free PassShibuya Station～Asakusa Station0JPY
Total750JPY

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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