Kanagawa in One Day: Togendai Station & Togendai Port — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, the Open-Air Museum, and Lake Ashi

The guests were visitors from North America, and it was their first visit to Japan. They were on a 14-day trip to Japan. After spending time in Tokyo, they traveled to Hakone the previous evening. After one more night, they planned to travel from Odawara to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, then return to Tokyo before flying home. During this trip to Japan, they mentioned they were planning to propose marriage. They said they really wanted to see Mount Fuji from Hakone. Originally the group was to be larger, but as some members could not join, the trip became a smaller group.

Although it was cloudy, we were able to enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.

First, we took the ropeway to Owakudani. I explained "The Formation of Hakone" and "An Overview and History of Owakudani." There were questions such as "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano? When did it erupt?" We bought and tasted the "black eggs." They remarked that "the smell of sulfur is very strong."

We continued by ropeway via Sounzan and Gora to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained "The Establishment and Current State of the Open-Air Museum." As one of the guests was a fan of Picasso, they viewed the exhibits in the Picasso Pavilion with great enthusiasm. We took our time walking around the grounds, and at the shop they bought postcards as a souvenir. They said, "It is a very calm and beautiful garden."

We then went to Moto-Hakone and walked to Hakone Shrine. I explained "The History of Hakone Shrine." We visited the main hall, and I explained how to worship. Unfortunately, the torii gate on the lake was under maintenance work involving tree cutting, so we could not approach it.

Returning to Moto-Hakone Port, we had a light lunch at a bakery and took a break.

We boarded the Hakone Pirate Ship. I explained the history and current state of Lake Ashi. They said, "It is a beautiful lake and very refreshing." They also commented, "Everywhere in Japan the towns are clean. There is no litter on the ground," "Everyone is polite," and "Hakone suits us even better than Tokyo."

We parted ways at Togendai Port.

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.