Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Sam

September, 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. 07:50 Meet up @ Hotel Resol Akihabara
  • 2. 08:00 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 08:40 Stay @ Nezu Shrine
  • 4. 09:30 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 09:45 Stay @ Rikugien Gardens
  • 6. 10:45 Travel: Train
  • 7. 11:10 Stay @ Yanaka
  • 8. 12:10 Lunch @ Risaku
  • 9. 12:55 Travel: Subway, Train
  • 10. 13:20 Stay @ Ryogoku Kokugikan
  • 11. 14:10 Travel: Train
  • 12. 14:30 Disband @ JR Akihabara Station Showa-dori Exit

Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Nezu and Yanaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Europe. Since they already had Suica cards, we used the subway and JR lines depending on the route. Both were able to walk quite well, so we kept a steady and comfortable pace throughout the day.

They seemed to prefer relatively quiet places, so I adjusted the itinerary at the last minute, removing Sensoji Temple and allowing more time in the Nezu and Yanaka areas. The onigiri cafe we used for lunch can sometimes get crowded and require a wait, but on this day there happened to be open seats, so we were able to take our lunch break right away.

I had assumed the Sumo Museum in Ryogoku would be open ahead of a tournament, but it turned out to be closed that day. I worried that ending the tour there had been a mistake, but by coincidence a sumo association gathering and the health check-ups for juryo-ranked wrestlers were being held at the Kokugikan. As a result, the guests were able to film videos of real sumo wrestlers, which turned into a delightful surprise. Finally, I saw them off at Akihabara, where we parted ways.

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Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayAkihabara～Naka-okachimachi180JPY
Section 2OtherYushima～Nezu180JPY
Section 3SubwayTodaimae～Komagome180JPY
Section 4TrainKomagome～Nippori150JPY
Section 5SubwaySendagi～Shin-ochanomizu180JPY
Section 6TrainOchanomizu～Ryogoku150JPY
Section 7TrainRyogoku～Akihabara150JPY
Total1,170JPY

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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