Kanagawa in One Day: Odawara & Hakone-Yumoto — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour from Odawara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan from Oceania. The group had originally been expected to be smaller, but on the day we met, they informed me that additional members had joined, making a larger group in total. This trip to Japan was a 16-day journey. They had first arrived at Kansai Airport, then traveled through Hiroshima, Osaka, and Kyoto, arriving in Hakone this morning. Their stay in Hakone was only for today. This evening they would move on to Tokyo (staying near Disneyland), and after three days there, they planned to fly home. Everyone's top wish was to see the view of Mount Fuji. One of the guests walked slowly and needed to proceed at a gentle pace. The tour took place in cold, cloudy, and very windy weather.

First, from Odawara Station, we took the Hakone Tozan Railway, the cable car, and the ropeway in succession up to Owakudani. I explained "the formation of Hakone" and "an overview and history of Owakudani." There were questions such as "When did the volcanic group of Hakone form?", "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?", and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano?" They purchased and tasted the famous "black eggs." Since each of them moved around at their own pace, it was difficult to keep everyone together and manage the progress of the itinerary.

Next, we took the ropeway to Togendai. After a short wait, we boarded the "pirate ship," which was packed with tourists inside. Despite the cold wind, they stayed up on the upper deck the whole time and took many commemorative photos. There were questions such as "How deep is Lake Ashi? What is the water temperature?", "Can you swim in it?", and "Can you fish here?" We disembarked at Hakone Moto-Hako Port and went to Hakone Shrine. I explained "the history of Hakone Shrine." After visiting the main hall, we went to the torii gate on the lake. Regarding the torii, there was a question: "Why are so many people lining up to take photos?"

We returned to the port, then took the Hakone Tozan Bus and the mountain railway to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained the origins of the "Open-Air Museum." Everyone entered and made a quick circuit of the grounds. After this, we went to Odawara Station via Hakone-Yumoto. There were comments such as "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are so orderly," "It feels safe and secure," and "Everyone is so polite." We parted ways at Odawara Station.

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.