Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

January, 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. 08:55 Meet@Hotel by Marriott Tokyo Ginza
  • 2. 09:00 Travel∶Subway
  • 3. 09:25 Visit@East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
  • 4. 10:30 Travel∶Subway
  • 5. 11:00 Visit@Asakusa
  • 6. 12:05 Lunch@Aoi Marushin
  • 7. 12:40 Travel∶Subway
  • 8. 12:55 Visit@Ueno Park
  • 9. 13:20 Travel∶Subway
  • 10 13:30 Disband@Azumabashi

What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's East Gardens and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. Since they did not have a Suica or similar transit card, they purchased a one-day Tokyo Metro pass at Higashi-Ginza Station, which was the nearest station to their accommodation. As the guests had requested in advance, I guided them through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Asakusa, where we took a lunch break. Since their accommodation was in Higashi-Ginza and travel time was short, we had quite a bit of extra time in the latter half of the tour. One of the guests was interested in Ueno Zoo, so I took them to Ueno Park once, but since the pandas were likely to be sleeping, we decided not to enter the zoo. Instead, we headed back to Asakusa toward Tokyo Skytree, which was their next point of interest, and I ended the tour after explaining the walking route around Azumabashi Bridge.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassHigashi-Ginza Station～Otemachi Station600JPY
Section 2Free PassOtemachi Station～Asakusa Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassAsakusa Station～Ueno Station0JPY
Section 4Free PassUeno Station～Asakusa Station0JPY
Total600JPY

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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