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∶50 meet 10:11 depart Hakone-Yumoto by train 11:09 depart Gora by cable car to Sounzan by ropeway to Owakudani 12:00 by ropeway to Togendai 12:40 pirate ship 13:20 Motohakone-ko lunch after Hakone Shrine red torii gate 14:55 depart Motohakone by express bus arrive Hakone-Yumoto Station 15:25 15:30 disband

What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like on a Foggy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Asia, and I had prepared a celebratory board for them. Visiting Japan had been their dream, and they were deeply impressed by how clean and how kind everything was in Japan. They also had a great interest in Japanese culture, and conversation started right away even while on the train, where another fellow traveler who happened to sit next to us joined in, and we all had an enjoyable time together. Unfortunately the weather was poor, and today not only Mount Fuji but even the ropeway was hidden in fog. Since they do not eat meat, we made up for it a bit with the black eggs, which were fine for them. The fresh greenery around the pirate ship on Lake Ashi was magnificent, and the guests said it reminded them of the scenery back home. For lunch we went to an Italian restaurant, where I shared some stories about kanji characters, and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station0JPY
Total0JPY

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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