Kanagawa: Hakone-Yumoto Station — Guide Masa

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

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They were on a 14-day trip to Japan and had already visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. The previous evening, after sightseeing around the Mount Fuji area, they had arrived in Hakone. They planned to stay one more night in Hakone, then return to Tokyo and fly home. They said, "Yesterday we only caught fleeting glimpses of Mount Fuji, which was disappointing. Today we hope to see Mount Fuji in its full, beautiful form."

The tour took place under cloudy skies all day, with occasional light rain. Unfortunately, we were not able to see Mount Fuji.

First, we walked from the Hotel to Hakone-Yumoto Station, then transferred to reach the Open-Air Museum. On the way, I explained the history and characteristics of Hakone. I explained the origins and current state of the Open-Air Museum, and we strolled slowly through the grounds. They said they were looking forward to the Picasso Pavilion. They viewed the sculptures with great interest and took many photographs.

From there, we traveled via Gora and Sounzan, then took the ropeway to Owakudani. I explained the origins of Hakone, its history as a hot spring and summer resort area, and an overview and history of Owakudani. They asked questions such as, "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano? When did it last erupt?" They purchased and tried the famous "black eggs," saying they were "extremely delicious."

We then took the ropeway to Togendai Port and boarded the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise. I explained the history and current state of Lake Ashi. Although it was a little chilly with light rain, we went up to the top observation deck. We arrived at Hakonemachi Port and visited the Hakone Checkpoint. I explained what a checkpoint was in the Edo period, the Five Highways, and the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration.

Here we had lunch at a soba restaurant. They said that since coming to Japan, they had "come to love soba." We took a bus to Motohakone Port, then walked to Hakone Shrine. They remarked, "We have seen many shrines and temples in Kyoto, but this one is truly in the midst of nature, and it is wonderful." They also commented, "Everywhere in Japan the towns are clean. There is no litter on the streets," "There are no trash cans around," and "Everywhere you go the greenery is beautiful. In our home region there is a lot of dry land."

We took a bus to Hakone-Yumoto Station, where the tour concluded.

Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour 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.