Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

June, 2024

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. 09:20 Meet up @THE LIVELY Tokyo Azabu-Juban
2. 09:35 Travel: subway, train
3. 10:45 Stay @Tobu Railway Kawagoe Station
4. 11:10 Travel: bus, walking
5. 11:30 Stay @Kawagoe Castle Nakanomon Moat Ruins
6. 11:40 Stay @Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten
7. 12:35 Lunch @Kanmi Sabo Kasuga
8. 13:00 Stay @Candy Alley, Toki no Kane (Bell of Time)
9. 13:35 Travel: bus
10. 14:00 Travel: train, subway
11. 15:05 Disband @Tokyo Metro Korakuen Station

What Is a Private Half-Day Tour of Kawagoe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The day before the tour, I received a message through the front desk of the guests' accommodation letting me know that it would be difficult for them to get to Kawagoe Station on their own, so I decided to pick them up at their hotel on the day. Because of this, we met about an hour earlier than originally planned. This additional hour of guiding was paid to me directly by the guests.

Since it was a short tour of about four net hours, I limited the number of spots we visited. If it had been a six-hour tour, I would have taken them to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine after visiting the Honmaru Goten of Kawagoe Castle, but since they preferred to prioritize their meal, I guided them straight to lunch. The restaurant I chose this time is a personal favorite of mine, and they seemed very satisfied with the unusual sweet potato somen.

As they had requested to return to the hotel by around 14:30 if possible, we left Ichibangai (the main old-town street) at about 13:30, and at Korakuen Station on the Tokyo Metro I explained how to get back to Azabu-juban Station, and we parted ways there.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Kawagoe Station～Fuda no Tsuji	210JPY
Section 2	Bus	Nakacho～Kawagoe Station	210JPY
Total			420JPY

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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