Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Sam

What's a Private Tokyo Tour Like for Guests Who Prefer Less Walking? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were an older group. Since I had been informed that walking long distances would be difficult, I planned the day carefully to keep the amount of walking as short as possible.

To avoid the rush hour, I suggested taking a taxi to our first stop, Nezu Shrine. From there, we walked from Yushima Station to the Tokyo National Museum. Although the distance was a little long, there were elevators and other facilities available, so I believe it was not too much of a burden.

After guiding the guests through Hamarikyu Gardens, we visited a restaurant on the 46th floor of Caretta Shiodome, a place I had been wanting to use for some time. The guests enjoyed the view from the windows. One point I would reconsider is that taking the guests from Caretta Shiodome back to their accommodation turned out to be a bit of a detour, but overall I feel I was able to guide them through a comfortable, manageable itinerary.

A notable stop on the tour was Hamarikyu Gardens. Hamarikyu Gardens is a traditional Japanese landscape garden located near Tokyo Bay, originally developed as a feudal lord's residence and duck-hunting grounds during the Edo period. The garden is known for its seawater tidal pond, whose water level changes with the tides, as well as its beautiful seasonal scenery and a charming teahouse set on an island in the pond, where visitors can enjoy matcha and traditional sweets. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers, the garden offers a striking contrast between old and new Tokyo, making it a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.

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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.