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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 09:00 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 09:05 Transfer: Subway
  • 3. 09:15 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 4. 09:35 Transfer: Subway
  • 5. 09:45 Stay @ Meiji Shrine
  • 6. 10:45 Transfer: Subway
  • 7. 11:10 Stay @ Imperial Palace (exterior), Tokyo Station
  • 8. 11:40 Transfer: Subway
  • 9. 12:10 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
  • 10. 12:40 Stay @ Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 11. 13:10 Transfer: Subway
  • 12. 13:35 Stay @ Asakusa
  • 13. 14:50 Transfer: Subway
  • 14. 15:00 Disband @ Tokyo Metro Ueno-hirokoji Station

What Can You See on a Fast-Paced Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America who wanted to see as many places as possible, so we kept a brisk pace throughout the day.

For guests who are leaving Tokyo the following day, I take them to the Imperial Palace even on a Monday or Friday if they wish. I show them the exterior of the Tatsumi Yagura and Fujimi Yagura turrets and give a compact explanation of Edo Castle, which is often surprisingly well received, and this time as well the guests seemed to enjoy it.

Since the guests seemed to like sushi, we had lunch at Tsukiji. The itinerary was quite packed: in the morning we visited the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace (exterior), and Tokyo Station, and in the afternoon Tsukiji and Asakusa. Even so, it was still before 3:00 p.m. when we returned to Asakusa Station. The guests said they knew how to get back to their hotel on the Ginza Line, so I accompanied them as far as Ueno-hirokoji Station along the way and we parted inside the train.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassGaienmae～Shibuya900JPY
Section 2Free PassShibuya～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae～Otemachi0JPY
Section 4Free PassTokyo～Tsukiji0JPY
Section 5Free PassTsukiji～Asakusa0JPY
Section 6Free PassAsakusa～Ueno-hirokoji0JPY
Total900JPY

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.

Request Booking

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 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 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

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…