Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Akey

Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like on a Busy Holiday Weekend? A Licensed Guide's Report

The contract called for an 11:00 meeting at the local Hotel, but to allow enough time to enjoy Hakone, I judged that an earlier local meeting was necessary and changed it to 9:45 at the Hotel. However, the group not only departed late from Tokyo, but also had to wait for the next bus at Odawara Station because the first bus was over capacity. They also rode one stop past their bus stop and had to come back, arriving at the Hotel at 11:50 (more than two hours late). After checking in and leaving their luggage, we set off toward Gora, had a vegetarian lunch, took the cable car to Sounzan, and spent about 50 minutes waiting to transfer to the ropeway. Since there would be a similar waiting time for the cable car at Owakudani, and it was unclear whether we could make it in time to board the pirate ship, I considered skipping the stop at Owakudani. But having come all the way to Hakone, it would have been a shame not to see Owakudani, so we got off, briefly viewed Owakudani and Mount Fuji, waited 50 minutes for the ropeway, and made it onto the last pirate ship.

The plan had been to have dinner at Hakonemachi Port and then return to the Hotel, but the guests said they preferred to skip dinner and return to the Hotel, so I accompanied them to the bus transfer stop and parted ways there. Guiding a group of guests who moved about independently, including some in wheelchairs, during the crowded holiday weekend was challenging in terms of time management and meals, but I think they were able to enjoy it in the end. During peak season, however, just reaching Owakudani took all our effort, and due to the late arrival and the heavy crowds of tourists in Hakone, we were unable to visit the planned open-air sculpture museum or Hakone Shrine. Even so, being able to see Owakudani and ride the cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship meant things went relatively well.

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Tour Report by Akey

Hello, new friends! I’m Akio Yasui. I was born in Kyoto City and graduated from Doshisha University in Kyoto and moved to Tokyo for working. I used to work for international companies as a marketing advertising specialist. I have been to fourty five different countries until now and been to all prefectures in Japan.
I have deep knowledge of both traditional and modern culture of Japan based on my experience in Kyoto, Tokyo and their surrounding areas such as Kamakura, Nikko, Nara, Osaka. I can design exclusive and the optinum itineray for you and guide you not only to ordinary tour courses but also casual or hidden locations. My task is making you enjoy Japan and like our culture and people. Let me guide you any where you want to visit and enjoy Japan together.