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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 09:30 Meet up @ Aloft Tokyo Ginza
  • 2. 09:35 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:05 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
  • 4. 11:15 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 11:40 Stay @ Meiji Shrine
  • 6. 12:45 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 13:00 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 8. 13:05 Disband @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing

What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the East Gardens and Meiji Shrine

The email address the guests had registered turned out to be a work account, so it was somewhat difficult to reach them just before the tour, but we were able to meet on time without any trouble. Originally I had planned to guide the group through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and then Tokyo Tower, but since I learned that one of the guests was experiencing back pain and found long walks difficult, we discussed it and decided to visit Meiji Shrine instead, as it involves fewer slopes. Even so, at the East Gardens we were able to make our way all the way to the Honmaru area. The guests said they would have lunch in Shibuya and that guiding would be fine to conclude at that point, so I showed them the platform for the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line for their return trip and ended the tour at the Scramble Crossing.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayHigashi-Ginza Station～Otemachi Station180JPY
Section 2SubwayOtemachi Station～Meiji-jingumae Station210JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae Station～Shibuya Station180JPY
Total570JPY

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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