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

  • 9:30 Meet at Odawara Station HFP purchase support Train Cable car to Sounzan Ropeway to Owakudani Ropeway to Togendai 12:00 Pirate ship 12:25 Disembark at Hakonemachi Port Maruyama Bussan yosegi marquetry shopping Lunch at Denbei Soba From Hakonemachi Port, 13:45 bus to Hakone-Yumoto Train to Odawara Station 15:44 Board Shinkansen and finish.

What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ropeway, Pirate Ship, and Owakudani

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Even though it was near the end of their two-week trip, they were very energetic. The weather was unfortunately poor, but thanks to their cooperation we moved quickly and I was able to guide them on both the ropeway and the pirate ship. At Owakudani, however, I sensed the risk that operations would be suspended due to strong winds, so right after they bought the famous black eggs, we headed immediately to Togendai. As expected, the ropeway was suspended just afterward. The pirate ship was the same, being suspended right after the boat following ours. At Maruyama Bussan, the guests enjoyed the presentation and each did some shopping. Some of the guests had studied Japanese together at university. They seemed to have forgotten quite a lot, but they enjoyed using the few words they remembered.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
Total5,000JPY

I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
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