Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Sam
October, 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. 09:50 Meet up@Hotel
- 2. 09:55 Travel: Subway
- 3. 10:30 Stay@East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
- 4. 11:40 Travel: Subway
- 5. 12:10 Stay@Asakusa
- 6. 13:10 Lunch@Aoi Marushin
- 7. 14:05 Travel: Subway
- 8. 14:20 Stay@Akihabara, Kanda Shrine
- 9. 15:10 Travel: Subway
- 10. 15:35 Disband@In front of the National Museum of Western Art
What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Since the guests' travel agency did not provide any information about their accommodation, I asked them directly by email. I had guided a visitor from Europe just last week as well, but this time the person's English had a somewhat stronger accent, and they repeatedly asked questions while occasionally adding jokes, so I struggled a little with the conversation.
As the guests had no particular spots they wanted to visit, I had planned to guide them through the East Gardens, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine in that order. During a conversation over lunch in Asakusa, I learned that they were interested in the art museums and museums in Ueno, and they asked whether they would still make it in time to enter after the tour ended. However, going all the way to Meiji Shrine would have left little time to spare, so I changed the plan and decided to guide them to Akihabara and Kanda Shrine instead of Meiji Shrine. It seemed that one of the guests' relatives enjoys making crafts using electronic parts, and it was memorable that in Akihabara the response was better from one of the guests than from the other.
When we arrived at the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno it was still around 15:30, but there was already a long line at the ticket counter, so I guided them to the end of the line and ended the tour there.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Shinjuku Station～Otemachi Station | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Otemachi Station～Asakusa Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Asakusa Station～Suehirocho Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Shin-Ochanomizu Station～Yushima Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Ueno-hirokoji Station～Ueno Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
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.
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful…
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful guide. So knowledgable and friendly. He turned a rainy day into a great experience! We had so much fun at the sites we visited and would highly recommend him to anyone who would like to have some help navigating all of the things you can do in Tokyo. If you are even considering a guide, book a tour with him right now!
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best…
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best tour and the best tour guide ever (thank you Sam!!)! I cannot recommend this for anyone who is in Tokyo. Today was our first full day in Tokyo and we started at 9am with Sam who kindly picked us up at our hotel and reviewed our customized plan for our day. It was more than perfect.
Sam – we simply cannot thank you enough for making today a special memory for us. We hope to see you again soon!!
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!! He communicated well throughout the process and was extremely personable. He went above and beyond to meet our every wish. This was a wonderful introduction to Tokyo!!
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable and energetic. It was a pleasure touring Tokyo with him.