Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

December, 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. 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome
  • 2. 10:05 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:40 Visit @ Meiji Shrine
  • 4. 11:50 Visit @ Cat Street
  • 5. 12:25 Visit @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 6. 12:40 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 13:25 Visit @ Senso-ji Temple
  • 8. 14:15 Disband @ Senso-ji Temple Kaminarimon Gate

Title: What's a 4-Hour Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Harajuku, and Asakusa

The guests were a group visiting Japan. There were some moments where the English was a little difficult to catch, so listening carefully was needed at times.

The guests had listed several local shopping streets in the Shibuya area as places they wished to visit, but since these were outside the planned itinerary from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) and far from the other spots, we decided to skip them. However, since Cat Street can be used as a route from Harajuku to Shibuya, I chose to guide the group on foot along that path while moving between the two areas.

Since traveling directly from Shibuya to Asakusa takes about 40 minutes, I usually include another stop in between, but this time it was a 4-hour tour and there was not enough time to spare, so we took the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to its final stop. After visiting Senso-ji Temple, I took the group to Kaminarimon-dori, which has many restaurants, and we parted ways there.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayShimbashi～Meiji-jingumae Station / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo180JPY
Section 2SubwayShibuya～Asakusa260JPY
Total440JPY

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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