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

  • 11:40 Meet at Kowakien 12:00 By bus to Sounzan Ropeway (very crowded) to Owakudani, by ropeway to Togendai 13:20 Pirate Ship 13:45 Hakonemachi Port, lunch at Donburi Chaya, then via Hakone Checkpoint Ruins, steep former checkpoint cedar avenue, to Moto-Hakone Port, Lake Ashi shore. From this point on, the customers requested to disband as they know the way back to the hotel and want to explore at their own pace. 15:45 Disbanded

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

The guests were visitors from South America. As usual, I made a celebratory board for them and took a photo. The guests stood out considerably in their presence and bearing, so much so that when I asked if they were in the movies, they laughed and denied it. Along the way, other people also asked me the same question. After enjoying the natural beauty of Hakone, at lunch each of the guests had a serving of sake. I was a little concerned, but they said it was very delicious. There we also talked about kanji, which they listened to with great interest, and we had an enjoyable time. After the checkpoint and the cedar avenue, when we arrived at the shore of Lake Ashi where the red torii gate is visible, Mount Fuji was perfectly beautiful that day. From there, the guests said they could return to the Hotel on their own and wished to spend the rest of the time by themselves, so they gave me a generous tip and we parted ways.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
Total6,000JPY

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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