Kanagawa: Hakone Onshi Park & Choanji Temple — Guide Kappa

September, 2024

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

  • 10:45 Meet at Odawara Station (10:00 was the original plan, delayed due to car)
  • 11:15-12:00. Hakone Onshi Park
  • 12:30-13:00. Hakone Shrine
  • 13:30-14:30. Lunch at Lake Ashi
  • 15:00-16:00. Owakudani
  • 16:20-16:45. Choanji Temple
  • 17:00-18:30. Via Odawara, disband at Fujisawa (getting off midway)

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Over the course of the day the route took in Hakone Onshi Park at 11:15, Hakone Shrine at 12:30, Lunch at Lake Ashi at 13:30, Owakudani at 15:00, Choanji Temple at 16:20 and Via Odawara, disband at Fujisawa (getting off midway) at 17:00.

What Is a Private Car Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a lively group visiting from Europe and South America. We had initially planned to include the Hakone Ropeway and a sightseeing cruise, but since one of the guests was driving a car, these modes of transportation proved difficult, so I added the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which has parking. However, this was declined as well, and since the guests preferred history and culture, we changed the plan to places accessible only by car. For lunch, the previous day's guide who had handled Nikko had informed me that the guests were strict vegetarians, and I had made a shortlist using the Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) website. In fact, however, they were vegan, and although we moved to a different restaurant to accommodate their wishes, same-day arrangements in Hakone proved difficult.

Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Kappa

Thank you for your entry in this tour. Nice to meet you in this mail.
Your tour guide Kappa is my nickname. Kappa is a traditional, imaginary creature who came into being in Japan over 300 years ago. She is good at swimming, like me, for I like swimming. I would like to make our tour operated smoothly as Kappa does when she swims in the river or pond. It is my pleasure to introduce many aspects in our tour, especially cooking, for it is my hobby and I went to the professional cooking and SAKE school, respectively. If you have any questions or requests about Japanese cooking, of course our tour, I am very delighted to answer to you anytime!

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