Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

July, 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. 08:50 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 09:10 Travel: Train
  • 3. 10:10 Stay @ Rikugien Garden
  • 4. 11:35 Travel: Train
  • 5. 11:45 Stay @ Nippori, Yanaka
  • 6. 12:40 Travel: Subway
  • 7. 12:50 Disband @ Tokyo Metro Otemachi Station

A Private Tokyo Walking Tour of Rikugien and Yanaka: A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America, and they seemed accustomed to hot weather. We took appropriate breaks along the way, including a light meal at a bakery, so I believe they were able to enjoy the tour until the end without getting too tired. However, since one of the guests could not walk quickly, I paid attention to staying toward the back so that we would not become too spread out, especially at stations.

Because they planned to visit the famous spots on a separate tour, they requested that I take them to places that most people do not usually go, so I decided to guide them through Rikugien and Yanaka. Both were well received, but I felt the reaction at Rikugien was especially positive. Compared with other gardens, Rikugien has a lot of shade and is usually not very crowded, so I think it is a great spot for hot summer days.

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Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShiomi Station～Komagome Station230JPY
Section 2TrainKomagome Station～Nippori Station150JPY
Section 3SubwaySendagi Station～Otemachi Station180JPY
Total560JPY

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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