Tokyo Customized Half-Day 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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 09:55 Meet @ Hotel Intergate Tokyo Kyobashi
  • 2. 10:00 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:20 Visit @ East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
  • 4. 11:40 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 12:10 Visit @ Asakusa
  • 6. 14:00 Disband @ Kaminarimon-dori

Title: What Can You See on a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour of the East Gardens and Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. I was visiting the meeting-point hotel for the first time, but since it was a small hotel, meeting up was easy. The initial list of desired spots included Meiji Shrine, but since the guests were planning to visit SHIBUYA SKY the following day, I recommended visiting the shrine at that time instead, so for this tour we focused on the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Asakusa. Since walking at a comfortable pace did not seem to be an issue, I guided the guests all the way to the Honmaru area of the East Gardens. In Asakusa, on the other hand, we took a break at a café before heading to Sensoji Temple. The guests enjoyed shopping, and especially at a tenugui (hand towel) shop on Orange Street, they purchased many items. In Asakusa, I feel that the best shops are actually found just off the main Nakamise shopping street. At the end, I took the guests to a recommended tempura restaurant on Kaminarimon Street before we parted ways.

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Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayKyobashi Station～Otemachi Station180JPY
Section 2SubwayOtemachi Station～Asakusa Station180JPY
Total360JPY

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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