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. 09:05 Meet up @ The Westin Tokyo
2. 09:10 Travel: Train, Subway
3. 09:40 Stay @ Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building North Observatory
4. 09:50 Travel: On foot
5. 10:05 Stay @ Cross Shinjuku Vision (3D giant cat)
6. 10:10 Travel: Train
7. 10:15 Stay @ Meiji Jingu Shrine
8. 11:15 Stay @ Takeshita Street, Cat Street (moving)
9. 11:55 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Starbucks SHIBUYA TSUTAYA 2F (break)
10. 12:45 Disband @ Shibuya Scramble Square

What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya

Although the guests arrived at the hotel lobby a little late, everything proceeded smoothly from there until the end of the tour. The guests were visiting from North America. One of the guests was an experienced travel planner who had prepared a perfect itinerary in advance, so I only needed to make a few minor adjustments. For the first stop at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building North Observatory, we used the subway only on the way there, since Tochomae Station on the Oedo Line is the nearest station. From there to the cat screen at the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, we walked, as the travel time was not much different. Since the itinerary the guest had prepared had quite a bit of flexibility, after visiting Meiji Shrine I suggested walking through Takeshita Street and Cat Street. As I had been told they had reserved SHIBUYA SKY tickets for 13:00, I guided them to the elevator of the building housing that facility a little early before we parted ways.

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Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	Ebisu Station～Yoyogi Station	170JPY
Section 2	Subway	Yoyogi Station～Tochomae Station	180JPY
Section 3	Train	Shinjuku Station～Harajuku Station	150JPY
Total			500JPY

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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