Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

March, 2026

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. 09:50 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 10:00 Travel: Taxi
  • 3. 10:20 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
  • 4. 11:25 Travel: Taxi
  • 5. 11:40 Stay @ Sensoji Temple, Kappabashi Kitchenware Street
  • 6. 12:40 Travel: Taxi
  • 7. 12:55 Stay @ Shinjuku Gyoen
  • 8. 14:00 Disband @ Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gate

What Is a Private Sightseeing Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Shinjuku Gyoen

The guests were a group visiting Japan. Since it had been difficult to get in touch beforehand, this was a booking I had been somewhat concerned about, but on the day everything proceeded smoothly from start to finish. At the group's request, we traveled entirely by taxi, and perhaps because it was a Sunday, the roads were relatively empty, so I felt we were able to save time compared with traveling by train.

I guided the group mainly around three areas: the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Asakusa and the Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, and Shinjuku Gyoen. I had expected shopping at Kappabashi Kitchenware Street to take some time, but this time the guests only wanted to check out the location and planned to return another day, so it took relatively little time. As a result, at the final stop of Shinjuku Gyoen, I was able to show them a fairly wide area, including the greenhouse.

Please note that on this occasion the guests paid the admission fee for Shinjuku Gyoen themselves.

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

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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