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

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Mount Fuji Views, Owakudani, and Lake Ashi

The guests came from North America, together with one other member of the group who lives in Asia. Some years ago, one of the guests had moved from Asia to North America. On this trip to Japan, they were stopping over in Japan for a short stay on the way back from visiting Asia. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous day, spent a night in Shinjuku, and came to Hakone this morning. "I'm looking forward to going into an onsen. There are no onsen where I come from," one of them said. They planned to stay one more night in Hakone before returning home from Narita Airport.

Everyone's top request was a view of Mount Fuji.

It was a tour under cloudy skies, with occasional returning sunshine, in cold weather. At the guests' request, we changed the meeting point from the Hotel to Odawara Station.

First, from Odawara Station, we took the Hakone Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto Station. Here, we sent their suitcases to the Hotel where they would stay tonight, and set off.

We transferred between the Hakone Tozan Railway, the cable car, and the ropeway to reach Owakudani. From inside the ropeway, we were somehow able to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji through a break in the clouds.

I explained "the formation of Hakone" and "the overview and history of Owakudani." There were questions such as "When were the volcanoes of Hakone formed?", "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?", and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano?"

They bought and tasted the "black eggs." They also bought large quantities of souvenirs such as cookies, chocolate, and curry rice.

Then, by ropeway, we headed to Togendai. After waiting a little, we boarded the "pirate ship." Inside, it was full of tourists. There were questions such as "How deep is Lake Ashi? What is the water temperature?", "Can you swim in it?", and "Can you fish there?"

We disembarked at Hakone Moto-Hakone Port and went to Hakone Shrine. I explained "the history of Hakone Shrine." We skipped visiting the main hall and went to the torii gate on the lake. We took commemorative photos from the side. In front of the torii, there was a question: "Why are so many people lined up to take photos?"

We returned to Hakone Moto-Hakone Port, and transferring between the Hakone Tozan Bus and the mountain railway, we went to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained the origins of the "Open-Air Museum." We made a quick loop through the grounds. At the shop, they bought postcards.

After this, since they said they wanted to have a late lunch in Hakone-Yumoto and also walk around the shopping street, we went together to Hakone-Yumoto Station. There were also comments such as "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are clean," "It's safe and reassuring," and "Everyone is polite."

We parted ways at Hakone-Yumoto 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.