Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Shinji
November, 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
- 11:30 Meet at Hotel; hotel check-in 12:00 Departure 12:30 Hakone Open-Air Museum 15:15 Arrive at Togendai 15:50 Board Lake Ashi Pirate Ship 16:30 Motohakone Port 16:50 Amazake Chaya 17:40 Disperse at Odawara Station
What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were scheduled to meet at 11:00 after arriving at their hotel in Hakone around 10:00, but they were delayed, so the meeting time was moved to 11:30, and after a further delay the tour began at 12:00. As a result it became a hurried tour, but the guests were in good spirits and enjoyed it throughout. There was no time for lunch, and to save even more time we skipped the visit to Owakudani, but the guests were able to fully enjoy the Lake Ashi pirate ship and the amazake teahouse, so they seemed satisfied. The guests had arrived in Hakone that morning (around midday) and were staying one night before heading to Kyoto the next day, so within this tight schedule I believe we made the most of the limited time available. I am attaching the photo we took at the end, which I think shows a satisfied expression.
Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Odawara Station Bus Terminal～Miyanoshita Bus Stop | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
Before I started the guiding job in 2022, I had worked for private companies and been engaged in overseas business, which led me to be stationed in various English-speaking countries. Taking advantage of such experiences and also wishing to reciprocate the kindness extended to me during my career, I have decided to help visitors to Japan enjoy their stay and obtained a national guide license.
I am very honored and pleased to assist guests from overseas and enjoy seeing them having a great time visiting interesting spots in Japan and learning about the country. I look forward to serving more new guests and seeing them smile at the end of my private tours.
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For those not wanting to read my entire post, let me say if you are going to Hakone, consider hiring Shinji. He is marvelous!
We went to Hakone, a notable spa town and a popular tourist destination due to its many hot springs being within view of nearby Mount Fuji, the most visited mountain in Japan. With our guide Shinji we visited the Hakone open air Museum, Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, Hakone, Japan, and took the Lake Ashi Cruise. Shinji’s knowledge about the sites, trains, cable cars, cruise, history, culture and languages (Japanese and English) made for a most efficient and memorable experience. Lastly, Shinji was very patient, as our getting to Hakone took more time than we expected, and adaptable, as we made the necessary adjustments to visit every relevant site we had hoped for. Great trip with a great guide!