Tokyo: Rikugien Garden — Guide Maddie
April, 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
- 7:00 Hotel
- 7:30~9:00 Sensoji Temple – Sumida Park stroll
- 9:30-11:00 Rikugien Garden
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Sensoji Temple – Sumida Park stroll at 7:30 and Rikugien Garden at 9:30.
Title: What's an Early-Morning Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Asakusa and Rikugien Garden in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, who had already enjoyed cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Nara, and Uji, and had also visited the blossoms at Chidorigafuchi and Ueno Park.
Because they wanted to walk while the sights were still quiet, they had booked an early-morning tour, so we took a taxi to Sensoji Temple and then strolled from Sensoji through Sumida Park. Fortunately the weather was fine and the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms had not yet fallen, and for about an hour and a half, with a break at a cafe along the way, the guests took their time admiring the various cherry blossoms, taking photographs, and enjoying a relaxed pace.
Next we took a taxi to Rikugien Garden, where the guests slowly and thoroughly enjoyed the grounds. The guests both loved gardening, and our conversation flowed as they told me about their own garden while we looked at various plants such as camphor trees, flowering crabapple, wisteria, azaleas, camellias, pine, and cherry. Along the way, at the Fukiage Teahouse, they enjoyed seasonal flower-shaped nerikiri sweets with light matcha tea.
After Rikugien Garden, the guests took a taxi to the Hotel, where we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Hello!
I’m Maddie, an English-speaking tour guide.
As a guide, I have been attending bus tours, Tokyo walk-around tours, and also, sumo wrestling tournaments tours.
I have lived in Tokyo for nearly 30 years and have enjoyed walking around this city, full of wonder, mixture of nature and artificial structures. I am happy to share my experience with you.
My hobbies are reading books including Manga, watching films including Anime. I like to watch various sorts of sports. I like to visit museums. And I am a tea ceremony practitioner, so I am quite familiar with green tea (matcha) and Japanese sweets.
I am looking forward to seeing you!
Jun 4, 2026
vadk2026
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo2026
We had an excellent 6-hour walking tour around Tokyo with Maddie.…
Jun 4, 2026
vadk2026
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo2026
We had an excellent 6-hour walking tour around Tokyo with Maddie. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the city’s history and culture come alive with interesting stories and local insights. The tour was well-paced, organized, and tailored to our interests. We saw so much in a short time and learned things we would never have discovered on our own. Highly recommend Maddie for anyone visiting Tokyo!
May 30, 2026
Heather_O
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Perfect intro to Japan!
We had a 4 hour private tour on…
May 30, 2026
Heather_O
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Perfect intro to Japan!
We had a 4 hour private tour on our first morning in Tokyo, and it was the perfect introduction to Japan! We had been contacted by our guide Maddie before the tour, and we told her a few of the places we wanted to visit. She helped us navigate the train station and walked us through all the areas we wanted to see, as well as many other stops along the way that we wouldn’t have seen without her. Maddie was very knowledgeable and friendly, and spoke very clear English. She knew exactly which routes to take, and we would have taken at least twice as long if we tried to go to all those areas without her. She was a great guide and we wished we could have taken her along for the rest of our trip!
May 29, 2026
jasonbO4660LV
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Afternoon in west Tokyo
Maddie was an excellent, knowledgeable guide who maintained…
May 29, 2026
jasonbO4660LV
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Afternoon in west Tokyo
Maddie was an excellent, knowledgeable guide who maintained flexibility as requirements
changed dynamically.
May 8, 2026
sebastianzO2366GR
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great
We had a good time walking with Maddie through Tokio. She…
May 8, 2026
sebastianzO2366GR
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great
We had a good time walking with Maddie through Tokio. She provided us with a lot of
interesting facts and was always kind and helpful. Even with spontaneous ideas.