Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide May
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.
Tour Itinerary
- 1. 12:00 Meet up ＠Hakone Kowakien Tenyu (The meeting time was pushed back by one hour due to circumstances)
- 2. 12:05～12:15 By bus to the front of the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 3. 12:15～14:15 ＠Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 4. 14:15～14:45 By bus from Ninotaira to Owakudani
- 5. 15:00～16:00 ＠Owakudani
- 6. 16:00～16:25 ＠By Hakone Ropeway to Togendai
- 7. 16:25～17:00 By route bus (transfer at Miyagino) to Gora Station
- 8. 17:00～18:00 Pottery experience ＠Gora Pottery Studio
- 9. 18:00～18:15 By taxi to Hotel Kowakien Tenyu
- 10. 18:30 Dismiss ＠Hotel Kowakien Tenyu
Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour with a Pottery Experience Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. The booking came through a travel agency, and since I had received guest information in advance, the tour proceeded smoothly on the day. However, at departure they suddenly expressed a wish to try a Japanese pottery experience. Same-day reservations were difficult, but one workshop in Gora was able to accommodate them, so I booked a slot there for 17:00. The guests were very taken with the first stop, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and stayed for more than two hours, which made the rest of the itinerary tight, but we managed to make it in time for the 17:00 pottery session. One of the guests enjoys pottery as a hobby and skillfully made a hand-pinched vase (they arranged to have it shipped to their home country). Upon returning to the Hotel, I presented a pair of Mount Fuji sake cups as a wedding gift, and the guests were delighted! As noted in their review, I believe they were very satisfied.
This private Hakone day tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is a winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best.
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 | Hakone Kowakien Tenyu～Front of the Hakone Open-Air Museum | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Ninotaira Iriguchi～Owakudani | 540JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Owakudani～Togendai | 1,500JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Togendai～Miyaginobashi | 780JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Miyaginobashi～Gora Station | 200JPY |
| Total | 3,250JPY | ||
Hi, I’m May, your guide in Tokyo. Welcome to Japan!
I have been grown up in Tokyo and working here for more than 45 years, so I’m sure I can share the best attraction of Tokyo with you, such as food, cultural and historic sites, sub-culture, shopping, and nightlife.
Besides the tour guide, I have been working for a travel agent for more than 30 years, I can advise you the travel plan of not only in Tokyo but all over Japan.
I had lots of guests from all over the world here in Tokyo, and most of them gave me great and wonderful review.
I’m sure I can meet all of your demand and expectations, and am ready to welcome you to Japan with the best “Omotenashi” mind, or hospitality.
Sep 19, 2026
Plumb72
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Sep 19, 2026
Plumb72
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Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Our guide ‘May’ had emailed us several times to work out exactly what we wanted to see in Tokyo. He was great, very funny and helpful. He even found us a vegan restaurant where we had lunch, you could tell he was a bit apprehensive himself as a self confessed carnivore but he tried it anyway. It was a great introduction to Tokyo.
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Charlene_E
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Charlene_E
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You get to experience moving around in Tokyo’s subway. We were explained to the shrines and temples.
Aug 31, 2026
labrinir2016
Excellent- best in class.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We booked a private tour…
Aug 31, 2026
labrinir2016
Excellent- best in class.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We booked a private tour with May for our second day in Tokyo, and it was easily one of the best decisions we made on our trip. Tokyo can feel overwhelming at first because there is so much to see and the city is enormous, but May made the entire day feel effortless, fun, and incredibly memorable.
We started at Tsukiji Outer Market and Honganji, then went to Asakusa, where we explored Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine and stopped for lunch. May did such a wonderful job explaining the history, traditions, and proper etiquette along the way. It made visiting these places so much more meaningful than simply walking through them on our own.
From there, we visited Meiji Jingu Shrine before ending the day in Shibuya, where we experienced the famous Scramble Crossing and Center-Gai. It was such a great mix of old and new Tokyo—from peaceful, traditional temples and shrines to some of the busiest and most energetic parts of the city.
One of the most valuable parts of the tour was having May teach us how to navigate Tokyo’s trains and subway system. It felt intimidating when we first arrived, but after spending the day with him, we felt so much more comfortable getting around on our own for the rest of the trip. That alone was invaluable.
What really sets May apart is how knowledgeable, thoughtful, and personable he is. He shared so much about Japanese culture, customs, history, and everyday life, and we loved being able to ask questions throughout the day. He also tailored the experience to us, gave us great recommendations for the rest of our trip, and knew exactly where to stop for the best photos.
May is an exceptional guide and such a genuinely lovely person to spend the day with. If you are visiting Tokyo, especially for the first time, I cannot recommend booking a tour with him enough. We saw so much, learned so much, and left feeling far more confident exploring Tokyo on our own. It was absolutely one of the highlights of our Japan trip. Five stars without hesitation!
Jul 16, 2026
fernandorM8865OM
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Memorable day
We had a great time. Our guide Meiji “May” made our day memorable. Excellent sites and great food, May is very knowledgeable of the sites, has very good English and had very nice details during the tour. Ahh and he has all the nice spots for pictures identified. The restaurant he took us for lunch was excellent, we tried an amazing hoto udon.