Kanagawa in One Day: Odawara & Chokoku-no-Mori — Guide Masa

Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Hakone from Odawara? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. One of the guests had previously spent time in the Tokyo area in the 1970s during an earlier stay in Japan.

This time, they were on a trip of about ten days, staying mainly in the greater Tokyo area, visiting places such as Disneyland, before returning home.

It was their first visit to Hakone. Today was a one-day trip. Their accommodation was at a Hotel.

The tour took place in very hot and humid weather, with thick clouds spreading overhead (there were repeated announcements warning of possible thunderclouds developing). Unfortunately, we were not able to enjoy a clear view of Mount Fuji.

The tour followed their request: "We just want to make a full loop of the main spots in Hakone."

We met at Odawara Station.

We transferred between the Hakone Tozan Railway and the cable car, going via Sounzan to Owakudani.

I explained the overview and history of Owakudani. Everyone tried the "black eggs," and we also visited the Geo Museum.

There were questions such as "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano?"

We took the ropeway on to Togendai. After waiting a little, we boarded the "pirate ship."

They settled on the upper deck and took commemorative photos many times.

There were questions such as "How deep is Lake Ashi?" and "Can you swim in it?"

From the ship, we were finally able to see Mount Fuji appear, though a little hazy, and took commemorative photos many times.

We disembarked at Motohakone Port and strolled around Hakone Shrine and the cedar avenue. We bought sandwiches and other items at a convenience store for a light lunch.

We transferred by bus and mountain railway to the "Hakone Open-Air Museum," which had been requested.

Despite the heat and humidity, we walked around the grounds. The "foot bath" was a favorite, and they enjoyed it very much.

They also bought souvenirs at the shop.

There were comments such as "Everywhere, the streets are so orderly and clean. There is no litter lying around," "Everyone is so polite," and "Unlike when I was here before, there are now many more signs in English all over the place."

We saw them off at Odawara Station, where the tour ended.

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.