Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

July, 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. 09:45 Meet up @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
  • 2. 10:00 Travel: Subway
  • 3. 10:45 Visit @ Imperial Palace East Gardens (Ninomaru Garden)
  • 4. 12:00 Travel: Subway
  • 5. 12:25 Visit @ Sensoji Temple
  • 6. 13:40 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 14:40 Disband @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya

Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like for a Group? A Licensed Guide's Report

This was a tour confirmed on July 1, two days before the tour date. Given the short lead time, I was a little concerned about whether I would be able to communicate sufficiently with the guests, but the representative of the group contacted me early so I could hear the details, and on the day everyone arrived early at the meeting point in the hotel lobby.

From the advance emails, I had learned that the itinerary should be kept short, so I took care to shorten the course. Nezu Shrine was among the requested spots, but I limited the guiding to the East Gardens and Sensoji Temple. Even at the East Gardens, I did not go into the main keep area and focused the guiding mainly on the Ninomaru Garden. At the final stop, Shibuya Station, some had trouble getting the Suica to respond properly, so it took time to exit the station, but despite the heat I was able to safely see the group to the hotel.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayShibuya～Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa290JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Shibuya260JPY
Total760JPY

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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