Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — 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. 08:10 Meet up@Hotel Metropolitan (Ikebukuro)
  • 2. 08:15 Travel∶Subway
  • 3. 08:55 Visit@Nezu Shrine
  • 4. 09:50 Travel∶Subway
  • 5. 10:15 Visit@Asakusa
  • 6. 11:45 Travel∶Subway
  • 7. 12:15 Visit@Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji Uogashi
  • 8. 12:45 Lunch@Koragumi
  • 9. 13:50 Travel∶On foot
  • 10. 14:10 Disband@Ginza 4-chome Intersection

What Is an 8:00 AM Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests arrived a little late, which caused me some concern. Since there is also a Hotel in Iidabashi, I worried that they might have gone there by mistake, but I was relieved when we successfully met at 08:10.

On tours starting at 8:00, I often take guests to Nezu Shrine before guiding them to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace or Sensoji Temple, and this time as well it was very well received. In the early morning hours it is still uncrowded, and I think it is an excellent spot for taking photos.

The guests seemed to enjoy grilled crab, so for lunch I chose a restaurant where they could have a seafood barbecue. I had planned to guide them through Hamarikyu Gardens at the end of the tour, but since I learned that the guests were interested in Ginza, we walked from Tsukiji toward Ginza and parted ways at the Ginza 4-chome intersection.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayIkebukuro～Todaimae210JPY
Section 2SubwayNezu～Yushima180JPY
Section 3SubwayUeno-hirokoji～Asakusa180JPY
Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Tsukiji290JPY
Total860JPY

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.

Request Booking

Jul 21, 2026
G848SWmaribelm
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
The tour experience…

Jul 16, 2026
Cezary P
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour of Tokyo!
Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

Jul 9, 2026
Michael_C
Tokyo tour
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

Jun 18, 2026
David_W
Viator review: Tokyo Tsukiji Food & Culture 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Fish Market Tour
Great tour. Got to see…