Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

February, 2025

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. 09:20 Meet up @The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
  • 2. 09:30 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:10 Visit @Meiji Jingu Shrine
  • 4. 11:10 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 11:30 Visit @Imperial Palace Outer Garden, Marunouchi
  • 6. 12:25 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 12:50 Visit @Asakusa
  • 8. 13:45 Disband @Hanayashiki Street

What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Metro Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. On this occasion, we traveled using only the Tokyo Metro.

One of their requested spots was a Japanese garden, but since it was Monday and both the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Shinjuku Gyoen were closed, I guided them through the Inner Garden of Meiji Shrine instead. Unfortunately, we did not find many seasonal flowers, so it ended up being somewhat underwhelming. On the other hand, the Imperial Palace Outer Garden and the Marunouchi area that I showed them afterward were fairly well received. They seemed interested in Nijubashi Bridge and the beautifully maintained black pines. In the courtyard of the Mitsubishi Ichigokan, the roses were already in bloom, and I felt that going out of our way to take the longer route had been the right choice.

To accommodate dietary preferences, I took the guests to a roasted sweet potato shop in front of Hanayashiki in Asakusa, and we all enjoyed roasted sweet potatoes together before ending the tour.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassRoppongi Station～Meiji-jingumae Station600JPY
Section 2Free PassMeiji-jingumae Station～Otemachi Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassOtemachi Station～Asakusa Station0JPY
Total600JPY

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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