Tour Itinerary
- 1. 09:50 Meet up @ Hotel
- 2. 10:00 Travel: Taxi
- 3. 10:20 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 4. 11:25 Travel: Taxi
- 5. 11:40 Stay @ Sensoji Temple, Kappabashi Kitchenware Street
- 6. 12:40 Travel: Taxi
- 7. 12:55 Stay @ Shinjuku Gyoen
- 8. 14:00 Disband @ Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gate

What Is a Private Sightseeing Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Shinjuku Gyoen The guests were a group visiting Japan. Since it had been difficult to get in touch beforehand, this was a booking I had been somewhat concerned about, but on the day everything proceeded smoothly from start to finish. At the group's request, we traveled entirely by taxi, and perhaps because it was a Sunday, the roads were relatively empty, so I felt we were able to save time compared with traveling by train. I guided the group mainly around three areas: the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Asakusa and the Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, and Shinjuku Gyoen. I had expected shopping at Kappabashi Kitchenware Street to take some time, but this time the guests only wanted to check out the location and planned to return another day, so it took relatively little time. As a result, at the final stop of Shinjuku Gyoen, I was able to show them a fairly wide area, including the greenhouse. Please note that on this occasion the guests paid the admission fee for Shinjuku Gyoen themselves.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
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.
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 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 guide. So knowledgable and friendly. He turned a rainy day into a great experience! We had so much fun at the sites we visited and would highly recommend him to anyone who would like to have some help navigating all of the things you can do in Tokyo. If you are even considering a guide, book a tour with him right now!
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 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best tour and the best tour guide ever (thank you Sam!!)! I cannot recommend this for anyone who is in Tokyo. Today was our first full day in Tokyo and we started at 9am with Sam who kindly picked us up at our hotel and reviewed our customized plan for our day. It was more than perfect.
Sam – we simply cannot thank you enough for making today a special memory for us. We hope to see you again soon!!
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!! He communicated well throughout the process and was extremely personable. He went above and beyond to meet our every wish. This was a wonderful introduction to Tokyo!!
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…
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 and energetic. It was a pleasure touring Tokyo with him.









