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. 08:50 Meet up@Hotel Premier Asakusa
- 2. 09:05 Travel∶Subway
- 3. 10:10 Stay@Shinjuku Gyoen
- 4. 11:20 Travel∶Subway
- 5. 11:40 Stay@Meiji Shrine
- 6. 12:20 Lunch@Mori no Terrace 2nd
- 7. 13:10 Stay@Takeshita Street
- 8. 13:35 Travel∶Subway
- 9. 13:45 Stay@Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- 10. 14:00 Travel∶Subway
- 11. 14:30 Stay@Hamarikyu Gardens
- 12. 15:35 Disband@Caretta Shiodome
Title: What Is a Private One-Day Cherry Blossom Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Body: The guests were a family visiting from North America. Because purchasing a day pass at Asakusa Station took a little time, we arrived at Shinjuku Gyoen later than on the previous day.
At Meiji Shrine, the restaurant was more crowded than expected, so we decided to have a light meal at the café terrace next door. Since the guests were not very hungry, this may have worked out just right.
Since not much shopping was done on Takeshita Street, we had more time to spare in the latter half. At Hamarikyu Gardens, which we visited in the afternoon, a variety of cherry blossoms not seen at Shinjuku Gyoen was in full bloom, and it was more popular with the guests than expected.
Because the guests had a reservation at teamLab at 17:00, they asked me to recommend a place where they could spend time until then, so I took them to the observation room at Caretta Shiodome as a final stop before we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Asakusa Station～Shinjuku-sanchome Station | 900JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Shinjuku-sanchome Station～Meiji-jingumae Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Meiji-jingumae Station～Shibuya Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Shibuya Station～Shimbashi Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
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.
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful…
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful guide. So knowledgable and friendly. He turned a rainy day into a great experience! We had so much fun at the sites we visited and would highly recommend him to anyone who would like to have some help navigating all of the things you can do in Tokyo. If you are even considering a guide, book a tour with him right now!
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best…
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best tour and the best tour guide ever (thank you Sam!!)! I cannot recommend this for anyone who is in Tokyo. Today was our first full day in Tokyo and we started at 9am with Sam who kindly picked us up at our hotel and reviewed our customized plan for our day. It was more than perfect.
Sam – we simply cannot thank you enough for making today a special memory for us. We hope to see you again soon!!
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!! He communicated well throughout the process and was extremely personable. He went above and beyond to meet our every wish. This was a wonderful introduction to Tokyo!!
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable and energetic. It was a pleasure touring Tokyo with him.