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. 14:50 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 15:00 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 15:30 Stay @ Akihabara
  • 4. 16:55 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 17:25 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 6. 17:45 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 17:55 Stay @ Harajuku Takeshita Street
  • 8. 18:25 Travel: Subway
  • 9. 18:50 Stay @ Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo
  • 10. 19:20 Travel: Subway
  • 11. 19:50 Disband @ Tokyo Metro Hibiya Station

Title: What Is a Private Afternoon Tour of Akihabara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

There was a request in advance to delay the start of the tour because the flight was due to arrive around 12:30, so we changed the start time to 15:00. The accommodation where the guests were staying was a facility that general members of the public in Japan cannot enter, so we met in front of the entrance of the accommodation instead.

In Akihabara I usually give a brief tour of the Radio Kaikan building and Don Quijote, but this time most of the guests were fans of anime and also purchased figures at another shop, so it took more time than expected. At the Pokémon Center as well, since some of the guests showed interest, we spent more time there than usual.

After finishing the tour, I took the group to Hibiya Station on the Tokyo Metro in order to explain how to get back to Hiroo Station, the station nearest to their accommodation, and then we parted ways.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassHiroo Station~Akihabara Station600JPY
Section 2Free PassSuehirocho~Shibuya Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassShibuya Station~Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
Section 4Free PassMeiji-jingumae Station~Higashi-Ikebukuro Station0JPY
Section 5Free PassHigashi-Ikebukuro Station~Yurakucho Station0JPY
Total600JPY

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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