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. 08:55 Meet up @ Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
  • 2. 09:00 Travel: Train
  • 3. 09:55 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 4. 10:15 Travel: Train
  • 5. 11:00 Stay @ Marunouchi, Wadakura Fountain Park
  • 6. 11:25 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 11:55 Stay @ Asakusa
  • 8. 12:35 Travel: Subway
  • 9. 12:50 Stay @ Akihabara
  • 10. 13:10 Travel: Subway, Train
  • 11. 13:50 Disband @ Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour with a Licensed Guide Possible? A Guide's Report

The lobby of the hotel in Odaiba is spacious and has poor visibility, which often makes it difficult to meet up, but this time the guest noticed the description of my clothing that I had posted on the messaging app and found me before the scheduled time. Because a companion had cancelled their participation, I ended up guiding one guest.

In the first half we mainly used JR lines, but there seemed to be a signal failure on the Chuo Line, which ended up taking more time. After arriving in Marunouchi, we switched to traveling mainly by subway. Since the East Gardens were closed for the day and the guest did not do much shopping, we had a little extra time in the second half despite the trouble in the first half. For that reason, I gave a brief tour of Akihabara at the end. I then saw the guest back to the hotel before we parted ways.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainDaiba Station~Shimbashi Station330JPY
Section 2TrainShimbashi Station~Shibuya Station180JPY
Section 3TrainShibuya Station~Tokyo Station210JPY
Section 4SubwayOtemachi Station~Asakusa Station180JPY
Section 5SubwayAsakusa Station~Suehirocho Station180JPY
Section 6SubwaySuehirocho Station~Shimbashi Station180JPY
Section 7TrainShimbashi Station~Daiba Station330JPY
Total1,590JPY

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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