Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

October, 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 up @ Meiji Shrine, in front of the First Torii Gate
  • 2. 09:00 Stay @ Meiji Shrine
  • 3. 09:50 Move: Subway
  • 4. 10:30 Stay @ Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 5. 11:50 Move: Subway
  • 6. 12:15 Stay @ Ueno Park
  • 7. 13:15 Disband @ Ueno Park

Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji, and Ueno Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of them had been to Japan before, so the tour became mainly a matter of explaining things to the other members of the group. Since they wished to meet at the site directly, I designated the spot in front of the first torii gate of Meiji Shrine, which has plenty of space and makes it easy to spot the people you are waiting for.

The Chiyoda Line had been delayed since the morning, and there seemed to be an accident or malfunction as well, so it was completely stopped by the time we finished our visit to Meiji Shrine. With no other choice, we first went out to Shibuya Station and transferred between the Ginza Line and the Hibiya Line to head to Tsukiji, which resulted in a considerable loss of time. If we had not met at the site directly, I think it would have affected the ending time of the tour.

At Tsukiji, the guests ate more than expected, and it turned into what you might call a food tour. After strolling through Ueno Park, I showed them a nearby restaurant where they could have lunch, and then we parted ways.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Tsukiji210JPY
Section 2SubwayTsukiji～Ueno180JPY
Total390JPY

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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