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

  • 10:00 Meet at hotel lobby. 10:26 Depart by bus from Onsenba Entrance, arrive Sounzan 10:50. Take ropeway to Owakudani. 12:00 From Owakudani to Togendai. 12:40 Pirate Ship.
  • 13:05 Hakone-machi Port. Lunch at Donburi Chaya. Maruyama Bussan. Hakone Checkpoint Ruins. Old Highway Cedar Avenue. Stroll along Lake Ashi. 15:37 In front of Hakone Branch Office, by bus.
  • Arrive Onsenba Entrance 16:15. Confirm disembarkation. Disband.

What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were very warm and easygoing, and we interacted comfortably, almost like family throughout the day. At Owakudani, the hoped-for view of Mount Fuji was not visible, but the guests enjoyed the famous black eggs. On the pirate ship cruise, although it was very foggy, the guests spent the whole time on the upper deck enjoying the green scenery. At Hakonemachi Port, the guests returned to a childlike spirit and enjoyed feeding the carp and ducks. At a donburi teahouse, the guests tried Japanese food and praised it, telling the owner how delicious it was. At a local specialty shop, the guests were impressed by a demonstration of marquetry woodwork and purchased a puzzle box as a souvenir. At the checkpoint and the cedar-lined avenue, the guests experienced Japanese history, relaxing and feeling like samurai.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
Section 2BusOnsenba Entrance / Izuhakone Bus~Sounzan Station Entrance / Izuhakone Bus900JPY
Total6,900JPY

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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