Kanagawa: Board the cable car at Gora — Guide Middy

What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report on Mount Fuji Views, the Pirate Ship, and Mishima Skywalk

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Before arriving at the hotel, Mount Fuji was clearly visible on the live camera. Based on that, I decided to take the route from Gora to Togendai. Neither Sounzan Station nor Owakudani Station was very crowded yet, so we were able to sightsee at a relaxed pace. Mount Fuji was visible for the first time in a while, and we were able to take great photos from the "Chikyu no Tani" terrace, which opened that very day. We also tried the famous black eggs. We were able to board the ropeway toward Togendai Station without much of a line either. From Togendai Port we boarded the pirate ship and had lunch at Moto-Hakone. In our prior discussion, the guests had expressed a preference for the Mishima Skywalk over the Open-Air Museum, so we traveled from Moto-Hakone to the Mishima Skywalk by bus. Blessed with clear weather, we had beautiful views of Mount Fuji, Suruga Bay, and the Izu Peninsula from the Skywalk. We could also watch people doing the zipline alongside. We relaxed on the terrace surrounded by fresh greenery and returned to Moto-Hakone by bus. We had intended to return to Gora from Moto-Hakone by bus and train, but one of the guests' phone was running low on battery and could not display the free pass screen, so the guests wished to return by taxi. We took a taxi from Moto-Hakone back to the hotel and ended the tour. The tour ended early at the guests' request. This was because we had already visited all the planned sightseeing spots and the younger members of the group were getting tired. Also, since we traveled by taxi, there was no need to change between buses and trains, and we arrived at the hotel early.

As for the guests' reactions, they enjoyed the varied terrain, noting that where they come from the land is flat and there are no such dramatic landscapes; the younger members of the group enjoyed it too. Blessed with clear weather, I think it was a good tour. My point of reflection was lunch: Ashinoko Chaya had good views and the food was not bad, but the menu centered on rice-based set meals, and there was no fried chicken or other items that younger guests tend to like, so one of the younger members of the group only ordered edamame and french fries. I would like to research dining spots that also have menu items that appeal to younger guests.

Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Middy

My name is Midori Katayama. I have been working as a national licensed English-speaking tour guide since 2024. I have guided group bus tours as well as FIT guests. I truly enjoy showing visitors from overseas the wonderful places in Japan and sharing our culture with them.

I live in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is located just south of Tokyo and offers great sightseeing destinations such as Yokohama, Kamakura, and Hakone. There are four people in my family—my husband, my son, and my mother. My son has already moved out and lives on his own, so now the three of us live together.

I also study tea ceremony, and I look forward to sharing Japanese culture with all of you.
Thank you very much, and I hope to see you soon.