Kanagawa in One Day: Kowakien bus stop — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan from Oceania. For some of them it was their first visit to Japan, while another had visited once before.

This time they were on a trip of about two weeks. After arriving at Haneda Airport, they traveled through Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, then went to Mount Fuji. After that, they moved to Hakone the previous evening.

Following this tour, they planned to stay in Hakone for three days and then return home from Haneda Airport.

Interestingly, everyone in the group loved history and had researched Japan in various ways before the trip.

They said they planned to visit the art museums of Hakone the following day.

It was a tour under a perfectly clear sky, almost hot. As the guests said they were not used to walking for long periods, the tour proceeded at a relaxed pace.

The tour followed their wish to "make a full loop of the main spots in Hakone."

We met at their accommodation, the Hotel.

First, we took the Hakone Tozan Bus to Gora Station. From there, we took the Hakone Tozan Cable Car via Sounzan to Owakudani.

We took commemorative photos at Sounzan. Unfortunately, Mount Fuji was hidden by clouds and could not be seen.

I explained the overview and history of Owakudani. The group tried the "black eggs" together and also visited the Geo Museum.

There were questions such as "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano?"

We took the ropeway, changing lines, to Togendai. After a short wait, we boarded the "pirate ship."

From the boat, Mount Fuji finally appeared, and the guests took commemorative photos many times.

We disembarked at Motohakone Port and strolled around Hakone Shrine and the cedar avenue.

They said, "Japan has so much greenery, which is calming. Where we live it is hot all year round, with nothing but barren land and no greenery."

We then changed buses to visit the Amazake Chaya, which they had requested.

It was not very crowded, and each of them tried "amazake," "tokoroten," "miso dengaku," "mochi," and more, then strolled again along the nearby mountain path.

From there, we took a bus to Hakone-Yumoto. We had a late lunch at a café near the station. They also bought and tried soft-serve ice cream.

They commented, "Everywhere in Japan the towns are orderly and clean. There is no litter." "Everyone is polite." "The trains are quiet, with no one making noise." "We don't see homeless people. Why is that?"

They also said, "Kyoto was crowded with tourists, but it left the strongest impression on us."

I saw them off at the Kowakuen bus stop, and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Masa

Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.