Tokyo Instagram Spots Customized Tour — Guide Sam

November, 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. 09:45 Meet @ Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
  • 2. 09:50 Transfer: Taxi
  • 3. 10:15 Visit @ Meiji Shrine
  • 4. 11:05 Visit @ Takeshita Street
  • 5. 11:35 Transfer: Taxi
  • 6. 11:45 Visit @ Shinjuku Gyoen
  • 7. 12:45 Lunch @ Aen
  • 8. 13:40 Transfer: Taxi
  • 9. 14:20 Visit @ Asakusa
  • 10. 14:55 Visit @ Kappabashi Kitchen Town
  • 11. 15:20 Disband @ Kappabashi Kitchen Town

What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Kappabashi

I have visited the Hotel in Tokyo several times before, but I was embarrassed to learn for the first time that there is a lobby not only on the first floor but also on an upper floor. Since I had told the guests by email that I would be on the first floor, we were able to meet without any trouble, but as some people do not always check incoming emails, this is something I want to be careful about in the future.

Some of the guests preferred not to ride crowded trains and wished to travel by taxi from the very beginning. On the other hand, walking did not seem to be a problem for them, so we covered all the spots by a combination of taxi and walking.

While viewing the chrysanthemums on display at Meiji Shrine, I learned that one of the guests works with flowers, so I added Shinjuku Gyoen to our route on the spot. The guests loved taking photographs, and the various plants and buildings at Shinjuku Gyoen were very well received. The admission fee for Shinjuku Gyoen was paid by the guests.

I had planned to guide them around Akihabara at the end before taking them back to the hotel, but as they had just arrived in Tokyo from North America the day before and were still tired, we ended the tour after finishing shopping at Kappabashi.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Instagram Spots Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

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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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…