Kanagawa in One Day: Odawara Station & Gora Station — Guide Masa

Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Odawara to Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. The main purpose of this trip was to take part in the Tokyo Marathon, which they had applied for over several years before finally being selected. The marathon was completed successfully on March 1. They arrived on a direct flight in late February, and after the marathon they spent a couple of days sightseeing around Tokyo. Today, they traveled from Tokyo to Hakone. They planned to stay one night in Hakone, then continue to Kyoto the next day, spend two days in Kyoto and Osaka, and return home from Kansai Airport.

The tour took place under clear skies in slightly chilly weather. At the guests' request, the meeting point was changed from their accommodation, the Hotel, to Odawara Station.

First, from Odawara Station, we took the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable car, and ropeway in succession to reach Owakudani. From inside the ropeway, we were 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. The guests asked 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," remarking that "the smell of sulfur is intense."

We then continued by ropeway to Togendai. After a short wait, we boarded the "pirate ship." The interior was almost fully packed with overseas tourists. Questions included "How deep is Lake Ashi? What is the water temperature?" "Can you swim in it?" and "Can you fish there?" We disembarked at Motohakone Port and walked to Hakone Shrine.

I explained the history of Hakone Shrine. They skipped the main hall visit and instead purchased a charm, and we took commemorative photos from the side of the torii gate on the lake. In front of the torii, they asked, "Why are so many people lined up to take photos here?"

Returning to Motohakone Port, we took the Hakone Tozan Bus and railway to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained the origins of the "Open-Air Museum." We made a quick round of the grounds and bought postcards at the shop.

After this, at the guests' request to check in to the Hotel early, we headed to Gora Station. I arranged by phone for the Hotel's pickup car to come to Gora Station. They commented, "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are so clean," "Everyone is so polite," and "Getting away from the crowds of Tokyo, I was able to relax for the first time in a while." We parted ways in front of Gora 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.