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
- 10:30 Meet up with guests at the hotel
- 10:45 Japanese tea experience at Hakuun-do in Gora Park
- 11:50 Owakudani
- 12:40 Lake Ashi pirate ship (Togendai Port >> Motohakone Port)
- 13:00 Lunch at Unagi Hasegawa (near Motohakone Port)
- 14:30 Hakone Shrine
- 15:20 Narukawa Art Museum
- 16:30 Disband at Kowakidani Station
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. Tour Details and Guest Reactions At the request of the guests, who wanted as authentic a Japanese experience as possible, we began at the rustic Hakuun-do teahouse in Gora Park, where they enjoyed matcha and Japanese sweets (yomogi manju). They were especially delighted that yomogi is a herb unique to Japan and admired how well it paired with the sweet red bean paste.
Light rain fell throughout the day, and above Gora the fog was so dense that the steam vents at Owakudani were only faintly visible, while Mount Fuji could not be seen at all. Since the guests had been looking forward to seeing Mount Fuji, they seemed disappointed. Hoping to lift their spirits, I checked their dining preferences and guided them to a famous eel restaurant on the shore of Lake Ashi. As it was a type of Japanese cuisine they had never tried before, they were very satisfied.
After the meal, we walked to Hakone Shrine, where they enjoyed the cedar-lined approach and the solemn atmosphere of the shrine steps. They were also very interested in my explanation of the "a-un" of the two guardian lion-dogs in front of the main hall.
As the rain continued and it was cold outdoors, we added a visit to the Narukawa Art Museum, which had not been originally planned, to view Japanese paintings. I explained that the pigments used in Japanese painting are made by mixing mineral powder—rock crushed to less than 10 microns—with deer glue, so that unlike Western oil paintings, the colors do not fade. I also explained that there are many types of brushes used in Japanese painting, and that the smooth texture of the brush hair creates the delicate touch of these works. After viewing the works of contemporary Japanese painters, they came to appreciate the unique beauty of Japanese painting and commented that "the impact was greater than we had imagined."
We then took a bus from Motohakone Port to Kowakidani Station, where I saw off the guests as they returned to Gora on the Hakone Tozan Railway, bringing the tour to an end.
2. Notes (Information Sharing) 1) For the teahouse experience at Hakuun-do (750 yen/person), guides who presented their National Guide-Interpreter license were provided matcha and Japanese sweets free of charge. 2) When guests purchased first-class tickets for the Lake Ashi pirate ship, the accompanying guide could be upgraded to first class free of charge by presenting the National Guide-Interpreter license. (With the Hakone Free Pass, boarding is in standard seats.) 3) At the Narukawa Art Museum, National Guide-Interpreters were admitted free of charge.
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 | Train | Hakone Free Pass～Hakone Free Pass | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru…
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru was an AMAZING host and tour guide. He went above and beyond with communication prior, during, and after to make sure my Son and I had an incredible experience. He was unbelievably knowledgeable and catered the tour to what we wanted as well. The sushi breakfast was unreal! Learning all about both Toyosu and Tsukiji markets was an experience we will never forget. 10 out of 10 for sure!!
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
This was our first time visiting a fish market, and from the time we booked the experience, Toru-san has been amazing. He helped us get to Toyosu market, where the tuna auction takes place, at the right time to get the best views and explained everything about how the auction works and made sure we didn’t miss anything. (You will need a knowledgeable tour guide because everything happens so fast and you might miss it!) We learned so much during such a short time about how the delicious tuna you eat at a sushi restaurant ends up in front of you. After the auction Toru-san took us to Okame, a great sushi restaurant, where we got to experience delicious sushi breakfast. Our next stop was Tsukiji market, and again we got to try all sorts of food and learn more about the market and got to meet some of the vendors. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. If you are interested in cooking, Japanese cuisine, or know someone home, this tour will give you the opportunity to do some shopping for unique souvenirs.
We had to get to Toyosu market before 5 am, and while you might think it’s too early, but why not do something fun and delicious with your jetlag? It was so worth it and I’m glad we chose to spend our first morning in Tokyo with Toru-san. The other advantage of being so early was that the market was not as crowded and we got to enjoy our time without having to wait in line.
Thank you, Toru-san!
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
The tour was great. We got to learn a lot about sushi and really enjoyed our time in the
market as well.
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was…
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was a fantastic guide and made our experience one to remember. He picked us up
from the hotel and clearly knew how to be there early to get a good view. He also took us to
a delicious sushi place thereafter which the whole family enjoyed.