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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 09:10 Meet up @ Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
  • 2. 09:15 Travel: Yurikamome, subway
  • 3. 10:10 Stay @ Asakusa
  • 4. 11:45 Travel: subway
  • 5. 12:15 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
  • 6. 13:10 Stay @ Wadakura Fountain Park
  • 7. 13:30 Travel: subway
  • 8. 13:40 Disband @ In front of Yurakucho Marion

A Private Tokyo Day Tour: Asakusa, the East Gardens, and Ginza — A Licensed Guide's Report

Because the hotel had a spacious lobby, I waited for the guests near the elevators, but there seemed to be many other guests also departing at 9:00, so the elevators were crowded and the guests arrived about 10 minutes late.

The guests were a group visiting from a French-speaking region of North America. Their requested spots were Asakusa, the East Gardens, and Shibuya. At the East Gardens, I skipped the main keep area to save time, but during the first half in Asakusa, one of the guests became very absorbed in shopping, which used up more time than expected, making it difficult to include Shibuya. When I asked again about their interests, I learned that they were interested in Ginza, so after guiding them through the East Gardens, I took them from the Kikyo-bori moat to Tokyo Station, and at Ginza Station I explained how to take the Yurikamome line back to the hotel before we parted ways.

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Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainDaiba Station～Shimbashi Station330JPY
Section 2SubwayShimbashi Station～Asakusa Station210JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station～Otemachi Station180JPY
Section 4SubwayTokyo Station～Ginza Station180JPY
Total900JPY

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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