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

  • 8:30 Meet at hotel 9:01 Hakone-Yumoto Train Gora Station 10:00 Cable car Sounzan Ropeway Owakudani Ropeway Togendai 12:00 Pirate ship 12:25 Disembark at Hakonemachi Port Lunch at Donburi Chaya Then Maruyama Bussan shopping Hakone Checkpoint Ruins Old Tokaido Cedar Avenue 14:16 Bus from Onshi Park Ruins 15:00 Get off at Onsenba Iriguchi Dismissal Guests return to the inn on their own,

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

The guests had previously spent time in Japan and were quite familiar with the country, but this was their first visit to Hakone. They mentioned that the scenery of Hakone reminded them of their home region in North America, and perhaps out of a sense of familiarity, they took many photos from the car window. The route was a basic one, covering the ropeway, the pirate ship, and the Hakone Checkpoint, but there were few other visitors today, so the guests were able to enjoy the entire itinerary at a relaxed pace. They greatly enjoyed the presentation at the local specialty shop and bought some souvenirs. At a rice-bowl restaurant, one of the guests wanted to have grilled eel over rice, and they enjoyed Japanese food along with beer, and treated me as well. At the checkpoint and the cedar avenue, they truly felt the atmosphere of the Edo period. The bus, which is usually full, was nearly empty today, so we returned in a relaxed manner as well.

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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