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

  • 8:45 Hotel meet-up, route briefing, 9:30 pirate ship from Hakonemachi Port, 10:05 Togendai, ropeway to Owakudani, ropeway to Sounzan, cable car to Gora, mountain train to Chokoku-no-Mori, get off 12:00 Hakone Open-Air Museum (Chokoku-no-Mori Museum), lunch inside the museum, then 13:40 depart Chokoku-no-Mori, 14:19 Hakone-Yumoto, 14:40 arrive Odawara, after supporting the purchase of Shinkansen tickets to Tokyo, disband at 14:50

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

The guests were a very friendly group from Oceania, and we got along very well, sharing a love of jokes. Although they had ridden the pirate ship on their own the day before, today they boarded it again while I shared the legend of Kuzuryu, and they thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent view of Mount Fuji from the Hakone Ropeway. They were also impressed by the legend of Princess Kaguya associated with Mount Fuji. The scenery of Owakudani was unusual to them, and they took many photos while I explained the meaning behind the atmosphere of Owakudani. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, they enjoyed the beauty and harmony with nature, as well as the panoramic view from the Stained Glass Tower and the early-blooming cherry blossoms. Today they headed to Tokyo by Shinkansen.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara 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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