Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — 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. 09:50 Meet@Hotel New Otani Tokyo
  • 2. 09:55 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:25 Stay@Shinjuku Gyoen
  • 4. 11:45 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 12:40 Stay@Nezu Shrine
  • 6. 13:15 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 13:30 Stay@Yanaka
  • 8. 14:25 Travel: Subway
  • 9. 14:55 Lunch@Kamiya Bar
  • 10. 15:30 Stay@Asakusa
  • 11. 16:25 Disband@Kaminarimon

Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen, Yanaka, and Asakusa

The guests were visitors from North America. They arrived early at the meeting point, so we were able to start smoothly.

The first stop, Shinjuku Gyoen, offered perfect cherry-blossom-viewing weather, quite different from two weeks earlier. The plum blossoms and Kanzakura cherry blossoms were in full bloom at the same time, so we naturally ended up staying longer. There was no strong wind like the day before, and I believe the guests enjoyed taking photos.

Since I had heard that one of the guests liked street food, I recommended several options in Yanaka, but they did not eat much. I suggested some in Asakusa as well, but in the end we adjusted to a preference to sit at a bar and have some drinks, so we stopped at Kamiya Bar for light snacks and beer. Since I had also heard that the guests enjoyed drinking, after guiding them through Sensoji Temple I introduced some spots along Hoppy Street and we parted ways in Asakusa.

For this tour, the admission fee to Shinjuku Gyoen was paid by the guests.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassAkasaka-mitsuke Station～Shinjuku-sanchome Station600JPY
Section 2Free PassShinjuku-sanchome Station～Nezu Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassNezu Station～Sendagi Station0JPY
Section 4Free PassSendagi 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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Jul 21, 2026
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