Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — 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. 12:05 Meet up@Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku
  • 2. 12:15 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 13:00 Stay@Asakusa
  • 4. 14:25 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 14:40 Stay@Ueno Park
  • 6. 16:00 Disband@In front of JR Ueno Station

Title: What Is a Private Ueno and Asakusa Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests arrived a little late, but since they had replied via a messaging app, I was able to wait for them without any worry. The requested spots were Ueno Park and the Asakusa area. I had planned to take the guests to Asakusa first, assuming they had not yet had lunch, but since they had already eaten, I was able to guide them around Asakusa at a relaxed pace. When guiding in Ueno, I usually focus on the Tokyo National Museum, but this time I first showed the group the "Pokéfuta" Pokémon manhole covers. This is normally a spot one would simply walk past, but seeing the group take commemorative photos again and again made me truly appreciate the enormous influence of Japanese anime. After that, I gave a somewhat detailed explanation of Ueno Toshogu Shrine and other sites. In fact, Ueno Park is the very place where I first guided in English, so I continued the tour while reminiscing about those earlier days. Since the guests wished to have dinner in Ueno, I explained how to take the subway back to Nishi-Shinjuku, where the Hotel was located, and we parted ways near JR Ueno Station.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku Station～Asakusa Station260JPY
Section 2SubwayAsakusa Station～Ueno Station180JPY
Total440JPY

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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Sep 29, 2026
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Sam was a wonderful…

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Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
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Highly recommend 👍
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Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

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Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…