Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

July, 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. 08:50 Meet up @ Hotel Metropolitan Edmont
  • 2. 08:55 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 09:15 Stay @ East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
  • 4. 10:40 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 11:10 Stay @ Asakusa
  • 6. 12:15 Travel: Subway, Train
  • 7. 12:55 Stay @ Takeshita Street
  • 8. 13:10 Disband @ Takeshita Street

What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the East Gardens, Asakusa, and Harajuku

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Since they had Suica cards, we used both the subway and JR lines depending on the situation for getting around.

Based on the guests' requests, I guided them around the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Asakusa, and we decided to head to Harajuku at the end if time allowed. Because their accommodation was close to the East Gardens, travel did not take much time, and we had quite a bit of extra time in the first half. I explained both the East Gardens and Asakusa in relatively fine detail, but the group walked at a fast pace and did not do much shopping along the way, so in the end we were able to make time to walk along Takeshita Street together. Since they wished to shop in Harajuku after the tour, we parted ways on-site after I showed them around Takeshita Street.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayIidabashi～Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa290JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Asakusabashi180JPY
Section 4TrainAsakusabashi～Harajuku230JPY
Total880JPY

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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