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.
Tour Itinerary
- 1. 09:50 Meet up @ Hotel Metropolitan Edmont
- 2. 10:00 Travel: Subway
- 3. 10:30 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 4. 11:45 Travel: Subway
- 5. 12:05 Stay @ Tsukiji Uogashi
- 6. 12:35 Lunch @ Tsukiji Uogashi Shokudo
- 7. 13:20 Travel: Subway, Train
- 8. 14:00 Stay @ Odaiba
- 9. 14:30 Travel: Train
- 10. 15:00 Stay @ Excelsior Caffé Wing Shimbashi Station
- 11. 15:25 Travel: Subway
- 12. 15:40 Stay @ Akihabara
- 13. 16:10 Travel: Subway
- 14. 16:45 Disband @ Hotel Metropolitan Edmont
Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. The group arranged the itinerary to match the wishes of some of the guests, so it turned out a little different from the usual route.
At the East Gardens, we were still able to enjoy the cherry blossoms. The day was as cold as midwinter with strong wind and rain, but this was the best spot for taking photos. Since the group's food preferences varied, at Tsukiji I took them to a food court for a lunch break.
Although I have visited Odaiba many times as a meeting point, this was my first time guiding there. Surprisingly, the Gundam statue was quite well received. However, the wind here was so strong that it was almost impossible to walk while holding an umbrella. Before heading to Akihabara, we decided to take a break at Shimbashi Station, which was very convenient on a day of bad weather since there is a coffee shop underground. In Akihabara I gave only a brief explanation, and finally I saw the group off at their Hotel before we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Iidabashi Station～Otemachi Station | 900JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Otemachi Station～Tsukiji Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tsukijishijo Station～Shiodome Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shiodome Station～Daiba Station | 330JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Daiba Station～Shimbashi Station | 330JPY |
| Section 6 | Free Pass | Shimbashi Station～Suehirocho Station | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Free Pass | Suehirocho Station～Iidabashi Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 1,560JPY | ||
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.
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful…
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful guide. So knowledgable and friendly. He turned a rainy day into a great experience! We had so much fun at the sites we visited and would highly recommend him to anyone who would like to have some help navigating all of the things you can do in Tokyo. If you are even considering a guide, book a tour with him right now!
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best…
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best tour and the best tour guide ever (thank you Sam!!)! I cannot recommend this for anyone who is in Tokyo. Today was our first full day in Tokyo and we started at 9am with Sam who kindly picked us up at our hotel and reviewed our customized plan for our day. It was more than perfect.
Sam – we simply cannot thank you enough for making today a special memory for us. We hope to see you again soon!!
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!! He communicated well throughout the process and was extremely personable. He went above and beyond to meet our every wish. This was a wonderful introduction to Tokyo!!
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable and energetic. It was a pleasure touring Tokyo with him.