Tour Itinerary
- 10:00 Meeting place: Bansuirō Fukuzumi
- 10:11 Depart Hakone-Yumoto Station
- (Hakone Tozan Train)
- Gōra Station
- (Hakone Tozan Cable Car)
- 10:18 Sōunzan Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- 10:30 Arrive Ōwakudani Station
- Ōwakudani Ōwakudani Observation Deck
- Ōwakudani Black Egg Hall
- 11:30 Depart Ōwakudani Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- Sōunzan Station
- (Hakone Tozan Cable Car)
- 11:53 Gōra Station
- (Hakone Tozan Train)
- 12:00 Arrive Chōkoku-no-Mori Station
- Hakone Open-Air Museum Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 13:40 Depart Chōkoku-no-Mori Station
- (Hakone Tozan Train)
- Kowakudani Station
- Kowakudani Station Bus Stop
- (Hakone Tozan Bus)
- 14:50 Moto-Hakone-kō Bus Stop
- Moto-Hakone Lunch: Bakerry & Table
- Hakone Shrine
- 16:00 Moto-Hakone-kō Bus Stop
- 16:00 Disband: Moto-Hakone-kō
What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from Owakudani to Lake Ashi The guests were a group visiting from Europe. It was their first trip to Japan. This trip was a stay of about two weeks in Japan. They arrived at Narita Airport several days ago, spent a few days in Tokyo, and then came to Hakone last night. After this, they would stay one more night in Hakone tonight, then take the Shinkansen to Kyoto tomorrow. They planned to sightsee in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Okinawa, and then return to Tokyo before flying home. They expressed a wish to "visit Japan's old culture and rural towns," and said that "Tokyo is crowded and too busy." Due to bad weather since last night, the tour took place under mostly cloudy skies (with occasional light rain). Notices had been posted stating that the "ropeway may suspend operation" and that the "Hakone pirate ship is suspended due to heavy fog." First, we went from the Hotel to Gora Station via Hakone-Yumoto Station. Then we continued to Owakudani via Sounzan (at this point, the Hakone Ropeway was operating). 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 last erupt?" They purchased and tasted the "black eggs," commenting that "the smell of sulfur is incredible." (At this point, there was an announcement that the "Hakone pirate ship" was "suspended.") With no other choice, we returned to Sounzan Station and Gora Station and headed to the "Hakone Open-Air Museum." (The guests had strongly wished to board the pirate ship.) Transferring on the Hakone Tozan Railway, we went to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained "the origins and current state of the Open-Air Museum." We slowly walked around the grounds. They purchased a "towel" as a souvenir at the shop. They commented, "It is a very calm and beautiful garden," and "Some of the works on display can also be seen in other museums in Europe." We took the Hakone Tozan Bus to Motohakone Port. As they wanted lunch first, we went to "Bakery & Table." They sat down and had a leisurely lunch. They said, "This is the first time we have eaten bread since coming to Japan, and it is very delicious." After this, we went to Hakone Shrine. I explained "the history of Hakone Shrine." After paying respects at the main hall, we took commemorative photos from the side in front of the torii gate on the lake. When we returned to Motohakone Port, they spotted the "Hakone sightseeing boat" running and said, "We really want to board that boat." Upon checking, there was a plan for "about a 40-minute cruise around the lake." They requested, "We want to ride this boat and go around Lake Ashi." I agreed, saw them off as they boarded, and we parted ways. (Originally, we had planned to visit Amazake-chaya after this.) They also commented, "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are clean. There is no trash on the ground," and "Everyone is polite," adding, "But for me personally, Hakone suits me better than Tokyo."
Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Hakone Free Pass～Hakone | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
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.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.
