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

  • 8:20 Meet at hotel After sending luggage to Hakone-Yumoto Station 8:45 By bus to Gora 9:21 By cable car to Sounzan By ropeway to Owakudani By ropeway to Togendai 10:45 Pirate ship Motohakone Port 11:25 Disembark Hakone Shrine Return to Motohakone Port By bus to Checkpoint Ruins Lunch at Donburi Chaya Maruyama Bussan After stopping by Checkpoint Ruins Entrance 13:38 From Hakonemachi Port By bus 14:10 Hakone-Yumoto Pick up luggage 14:34 By train to Odawara 14:55 Disband inside the Shinkansen ticket gate Customers head to Tokyo by Shinkansen at 15:44.

What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests arrived from North America the day before and came from the airport by taxi, and today was their first full day in Japan. They set off without any sign of fatigue. This was the group's first time exploring Japan in earnest, planning to travel to various regions from here on, so I enthusiastically and enjoyably introduced shrines, temples, everyday Japanese life, and simple phrases for their reference. They listened with great interest and clearly had a good time, staying cheerful and smiling throughout. At a local specialty shop, they thoroughly enjoyed a presentation on traditional marquetry woodwork, purchased a rather high-end piece with a beautiful design, and happily took photos with the shop's president. At a shrine, they experienced the proper way to worship firsthand. They also sampled the famous black eggs at Owakudani, bringing their first day in Japan to a close.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
Total5,000JPY

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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