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

  • 9:00 Hotel Meet Itinerary introduction 9:32 By bus to Gora 9:51 By cable car to Sounzan By ropeway to Owakudani By ropeway to Togendai 12:00 Pirate ship 12:40 Moto-Hakone Lake Ashi shore By bus to Hakone Checkpoint Ruins Station Maruyama Bussan shopping Donburi Chaya Lunch 14:31 By bus to The Hakone Open-Air Museum Entry after 15:00 16:37 From Chokoku-no-Mori Station to Gora Station Explain how to request the hotel service car and disband at 17:00

Title: What's a Private Hakone Day Tour with Mount Fuji Views Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The night before the tour, both the guest and the local travel agency contacted me about a change of hotel. When I confirmed the details on the day, the reason was that Japanese-style futon bedding was not suitable for one of the guests, so the accommodation had been changed. The group was a very family-oriented one. Mount Fuji was overwhelmingly impressive, and the guests forwarded photos to friends back home to share their delight. At the presentation of the secret puzzle boxes, the guests cheered with excitement, thoroughly enjoyed it, and did a lot of shopping. At a donburi teahouse, the master kindly prepared a rice bowl dish that was slightly off the regular menu, which pleased the guests, and everyone took photos together. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, one of the guests was thrilled with the jungle gym, and it felt a little sad to have to bring that to an end. Although we went a little over time, the whole tour felt like it passed in the blink of an eye.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
Total6,000JPY

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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