Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

June, 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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 08:55 Meet up@Jeffery Skytree Residence　Tokyo
  • 2. 09:00 Move∶Bus
  • 3. 09:25 Stay@Senso-ji Temple
  • 4. 10:25 Move∶Subway
  • 5. 10:35 Stay@Ueno Park
  • 6. 11:35 Move∶Subway
  • 7. 11:45 Stay@Nezu Shrine
  • 8. 12:25 Move∶Subway
  • 9. 12:55 Stay@Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 10. 13:10 Disband@Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Can You Do a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Temples and Shrines? A Licensed Guide's Report

The meeting point for this tour was a lodging facility, but its main drawback was that it was far from any station. Since it seemed to take more than ten minutes on foot to reach either Oshiage Station or Asakusa Station, we decided to first take a bus to Asakusa Station. The bus, scheduled to arrive at 09:10, was slightly delayed, but it was not extremely crowded, and since the guests did some shopping at a convenience store during the wait, I think we were able to use our time relatively efficiently. It was also convenient that the guests had Suica cards.

As one of the guests seemed interested in temples and shrines, I mainly guided them to three places: Sensoji Temple, Ueno Park, and Nezu Shrine. Because we moved at a quick pace, we had time to spare, so I decided to guide them last to Shibuya, which they had mentioned wanting to visit for shopping after the tour, and we parted ways after crossing the intersection.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusMukojima 2-chome～Asakusa Kaminarimon210JPY
Section 2SubwayAsakusa Station～Ueno Station180JPY
Section 3SubwayYushima Station～Nezu Station180JPY
Section 4SubwayNezu Station～Shibuya Station210JPY
Total780JPY

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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Sep 29, 2026
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Sam was a wonderful…

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Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
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Highly recommend 👍
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Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

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Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…