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

  • 9:45 Meet at hotel, discuss itinerary. 10:15 Take bus from Ten-yu to Sounzan. Ropeway to Owakudani. Ropeway to Togendai. 12:00 Pirate ship. 12:25 Disembark at Hakonemachi Port. Maruyama Bussan. Hakone Checkpoint ruins, Old Cedar Avenue. Lunch at Donburi Chaya. 14:30 From the checkpoint ruins, take bus to Moto-Hakone. Hakone Shrine red torii gate. Afterwards, Moto-Hakone. 15:30 Arrive at Yunessun by bus. Drop off at hotel. 16:00 Dismissal

Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like from Haneda Airport? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests arrived at Haneda Airport at 5:00 in the early morning and traveled by car to their hotel. Despite the tight schedule of a 10:00 meeting right after finishing breakfast, they spent the whole day energetically. Although Mount Fuji was not visible, they thoroughly enjoyed the natural scenery of Owakudani and Lake Ashi, which was very different from where they come from in North America. They were impressed by the marquetry (yosegi-zaiku) presentation at a local shop and made their first purchase in Japan there right after arriving. They were fine with Japanese food and enjoyed soba noodles. At the Hakone Checkpoint, I talked about the shogun, the emperor, Edo, and Kyoto. We took photos near the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine, and the day came to an end. Since they would be staying the next day as well, I introduced the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and I also let the hotel staff know and asked them to provide support.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
Section 2BusTen-yu / Izuhakone Bus~Sounzan Station Entrance / Izuhakone Bus220JPY
Total5,220JPY

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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