Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Sam

February, 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. 08:50 Meet up@Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station
  • 2. 09:00 Travel∶Train
  • 3. 09:40 Stay@Meiji Shrine
  • 4. 10:25 Travel∶Train
  • 5. 10:35 Stay@Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 6. 10:55 Travel∶Train
  • 7. 11:20 Stay@Marunouchi, Imperial Palace East Gardens
  • 8. 12:45 Travel∶Subway
  • 9. 13:15 Lunch@KOMEDA is □
  • 10. 14:10 Travel∶Subway
  • 11. 14:35 Stay@Asakusa
  • 12. 15:15 Travel∶Subway, Train
  • 13. 15:45 Disband@JR Tokyo Station

What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Asakusa

The guests were a group from North America. Since their hotel was close to Tokyo Station, we mainly used JR trains to get around.

We visited Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa — all classic sightseeing spots. Since the guests did very little shopping and the first half of the day went smoothly, we also stopped by Marunouchi before visiting the East Gardens. I had been told that some of the guests avoided animal products, so at lunchtime I took them to a plant-based cafe in East Ginza, but it was unexpectedly crowded. The situation seems to differ between weekdays and weekends, and I will keep this in mind for future reference.

Because the wait at the cafe took longer than expected, I kept the visit to Asakusa focused mainly on Nakamise Street. I had heard that the guests would be heading to Ise Grand Shrine after the tour, so at the end I took them to the Shinkansen ticket counter at Tokyo Station before we parted ways.

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Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainTokyo Station～Harajuku Station210JPY
Section 2TrainHarajuku Station～Shibuya Station150JPY
Section 3TrainShibuya Station～Tokyo Station210JPY
Section 4SubwayOtemachi Station～Higashi-ginza Station180JPY
Section 5SubwayHigashi-ginza Station～Asakusa Station220JPY
Section 6SubwayAsakusa Station～Ueno Station180JPY
Section 7TrainUeno Station～Tokyo Station170JPY
Total1,320JPY

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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