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
- 10:30 Meeting place: Ajisai Onsen Ryokan
- 10:45 Depart Koenshimo Station
- (Hakone Tozan Cable Car)
- Sounzan Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- 11:00 Arrive Owakudani Station
- Owakudani Owakudani Observation Deck
- Owakudani Black Egg Hall
- 11:30 Depart Owakudani Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- 11:45 Arrive Togendai Station
- 12:00 Depart Togendai Port
- (Hakone Sightseeing Cruise)
- 12:40 Arrive Motohakone Port
- Motohakone Lunch: Bakery & Table
- Hakone Shrine
- 13:40 Depart Motohakone Port Bus Stop
- (Hakone Tozan Bus)
- Kowakudani Bus Stop
- Kowakudani Station
- (Hakone Tozan Railway)
- 14:15 Arrive Chokoku-no-Mori Station
- The Hakone Open-Air Museum The Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 16:15 Depart Chokoku-no-Mori Station
- (Hakone Tozan Railway)
- 16:30 Arrive Gora Station
- 16:30 Disband: Gora Station
Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Hakone from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, Lake Ashi, and Hakone Shrine
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania, who run a farm back home. Their trip to Japan lasted fourteen days. After spending time in Tokyo, they moved on to Hakone this morning. They planned to stay one night in Hakone, then travel via Odawara to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, before returning to Tokyo and flying home.
They said, "We really wanted to see Mount Fuji from Hakone," and "We wanted to visit somewhere a little quieter than Tokyo." Although it was cloudy, we were able to enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.
First, we took the ropeway to Owakudani. I explained "the formation of Hakone" and "an 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 last erupt?" Everyone bought and tried the "black eggs," commenting, "The smell of sulfur is incredible."
We then continued by ropeway to Togendai Port and boarded the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise. I explained "the history and current state of Lake Ashi." It was a little chilly, but we went up to the top observation deck. They remarked, "It's a beautiful lake and it feels wonderful." There were also questions such as "Can you swim in it?" "What kind of fish are there?" and "Does it freeze in winter?"
We arrived at Motohakone Port and had a light lunch. After that, we walked to Hakone Shrine. I explained "the history of Hakone Shrine." We visited the main hall and I explained how to worship. The torii gate on the lake had a long line of people waiting to take photos, so we took pictures from the side. There was a question: "Why do so many people line up just to take a photo?"
Next, we went to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained "the origins and current state of the Open-Air Museum." Since one of the guests enjoyed art, they viewed the sculptures with great interest. At the shop, they purchased "postcards" as souvenirs.
They also commented, "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are so clean. There's no litter on the ground," and "Everyone is so polite." I saw them off at Gora Station, and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Hakone Free Pass～Hakone Free Pass | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
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.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.