Kanagawa in One Day: Odawara & Chokoku-no-Mori — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Day Trip to Hakone from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Mount Fuji, Owakudani, and Lake Ashi

The guests were friends visiting Japan for the second time, arriving from North America. Both mentioned that they had some physical discomfort and found it difficult to walk at a fast pace, so the tour was paced accordingly.

This time, they were on a longer trip that included two days in Tokyo (with a visit to Hakone), after which they planned to board a cruise ship departing from the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. The cruise would sail from Hokkaido along the Sea of Japan coast, stopping in Asia before disembarking, from where they planned to fly home.

They told me, "We really wanted to see Mount Fuji from Hakone." In Tokyo, they stayed at a Hotel.

Although there were clouds gathering, we were able to enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.

The guests traveled from Tokyo to Odawara by Shinkansen, and we met at the Shinkansen gate of Odawara Station.

We then took the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable car, and ropeway, passing through Sounzan to reach Owakudani. I explained "the formation of Hakone" and "the overview and history of Owakudani."

There were questions such as, "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano? When did it erupt?"

We purchased and tasted the famous "black eggs." One comment was, "The smell of sulfur is incredible."

From there, we took the ropeway to Togendai. After a short wait, we boarded the "pirate ship." The interior was almost full, including many overseas visitors.

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 went to Moto-Hakone and walked to Hakone Shrine. I explained "the history of Hakone Shrine."

We returned to Moto-Hakone Port and took a short break.

After that, we took the Hakone Tozan Bus and Hakone Tozan Railway to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained "the origins and current state of the Open-Air Museum."

We took a leisurely stroll through the grounds. At the gift shop, they purchased a "towel" as a souvenir. "It is a very calm and beautiful garden," they said.

We then took the Hakone Tozan Railway to Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto.

There were also comments such as, "Everywhere in Japan the towns are clean. There is no litter on the ground," "Everyone is so polite," and "Hakone suits us better than Tokyo."

We parted ways at the Shinkansen entrance of 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.