Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Sam

August, 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. 08:30 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 08:40 Move∶Subway
  • 3. 09:25 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 4. 09:45 Move∶Subway
  • 5. 10:00 Stay @ Meiji Shrine
  • 6. 11:45 Move∶Subway
  • 7. 12:15 Stay @ Tsukiji Uogashi
  • 8. 12:40 Lunch @ Sushizanmai Annex, Yonemoto Coffee
  • 9. 14:20 Move∶Subway
  • 10. 14:35 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens (Ninomaru Garden)11. 15:40 Disband @ Toei Subway Otemachi Station

What Is a Private Group Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji, and the Imperial Palace East Gardens

The guests were a large group visiting from Europe. This was an assignment given to me right before the tour date, so there was no time to discuss the itinerary in advance, and I prepared to guide them mainly along the standard course. Since the Hotel was close to Daimon Station, the guests purchased a one-day subway pass at the station.

I had expected that, because of the large group size, we would spend more time than usual at each spot, and that is exactly how it went. As it happened to be a group with many smokers, we took cigarette breaks at Meiji Shrine and Tsukiji. The guests ate a great deal and also wanted a coffee break after their meal, so we ended up staying about two hours at Tsukiji alone. After finishing the tour of Tsukiji, as it felt a bit incomplete to end there, I suggested guiding them briefly through the East Gardens, and we strolled through the Ninomaru Garden together. In the end, we extended the time a little and parted ways at Otemachi Station on the Toei subway.

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Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassDaimon～Shibuya900JPY
Section 2Free PassShibuya～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae～Tsukiji0JPY
Section 4Free PassTsukiji～Otemachi0JPY
Total900JPY

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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Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
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