Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

April, 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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 09:55 Meet up @ Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
  • 2. 10:05 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:50 Stay @ Nezu Shrine
  • 4. 12:00 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 12:30 Stay @ Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
  • 6. 13:00 Lunch @ Kutora
  • 7. 13:50 Stay @ Sensoji Temple
  • 8. 14:20 Travel: Subway
  • 9. 15:30 Disband @ Meiji-jingumae Station

Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Visiting Nezu Shrine, Asakusa, and Harajuku? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. As one member of the group had become unwell and could not join, I guided the rest of the group. At Shinjuku Station, everyone purchased a one-day subway pass.

The first place I took them was Nezu Shrine, which was in the middle of its azalea festival. The azalea garden was extremely crowded, so we decided not to enter. Even so, I believe the flowers could be enjoyed well enough from outside the garden. The guests seemed to have a strong interest in the shrine and in Shinto, so we ended up spending a longer time there than expected. This was my first time using the eel restaurant in Asakusa, but I found it reasonably priced and easier to get a seat than at a long-established tempura restaurant. As we had spent more time than planned up to this point, I kept the explanation of Senso-ji Temple brief.

In the latter half, at Shinjuku-sanchome Station, I showed them the location of a department store with an Apple Store and restaurants, and finally took them to Harajuku, where we parted ways.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassShinjuku Station～Nezu Station900JPY
Section 2Free PassNezu Station～Asakusa Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassAsakusa Station～Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
Total900JPY

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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