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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 9:00 Meet at hotel. 9:24 By bus to Sounzan. By ropeway to Owakudani. 10:15 By ropeway to Togendai. 10:45 Pirate ship. 11:25 Motohakone Port.
  • After strolling along Lake Ashi, by bus to Hakone Checkpoint, Maruyama Bussan, lunch at Donburi Chaya, Hakone Checkpoint, Cedar Avenue, then from in front of Hakone Branch Office, 13:57 by bus getting off at Yunessun. Accompany to the hotel front desk and disband at 14:30

Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like in the Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for a trip. Their cheerfulness brightened the poor weather, which was a relief for me as well. There were few tourists, so the ropeway was essentially private. At Owakudani, visibility was poor due to thick fog, but everyone enjoyed the black eggs. The pirate ship was unusually quiet, so the guests could relax comfortably. At a local products shop, they were not familiar with the marquetry (yosegi-zaiku) woodwork, so their reaction was all the greater, and they enjoyed the presentation with cheers of delight. They bought a secret puzzle box as a souvenir. At a soba restaurant, they finished their soba completely, and they enjoyed my stories about kanji. At the checkpoint and the cedar avenue, the rain actually added to the atmosphere, and they were able to reflect on old Japan. A notable stop on the tour was Owakudani in Hakone. Owakudani is a volcanic valley created by the eruption of Mount Hakone thousands of years ago, and it is known for its active sulfur vents and hot springs. One of its most famous attractions is the black eggs (kuro-tamago), which are boiled in the naturally hot spring waters, turning their shells black, and are said to add years to one's life when eaten. On clear days, the area also offers views of Mount Fuji, making it one of Hakone's most popular sightseeing spots.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
Section 2BusKowakien / Izuhakone Bus~Sounzan Station Entrance / Izuhakone Bus270JPY
Section 3BusMotohakone / Izuhakone Bus~Hakone Checkpoint Site / Izuhakone Bus220JPY
Total6,490JPY

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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