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 Hotel Indigo Meet – By shuttle car to Gora Station – By cable car to Sounzan – Ropeway – Owakudani – Black eggs – Ropeway – Togendai – 12:00 Pirate ship – Disembark at Hakonemachi Port – Maruyama Bussan – Lunch – Revisit Maruyama Bussan – To the checkpoint entrance – By bus – Get off at Ninotaira – On foot – Stroll around the Hakone Open-Air Museum – By train to Gora Station – Board the shuttle car – Disband at Gora Station – 16:15

Title: What Is a Family-Friendly Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The tour was arranged for a group visiting Japan, and I adapted the pace so that it worked well for the whole group. At Owakudani, one of the guests enjoyed eating two of the famous black eggs. When we boarded the pirate ship on Lake Ashi, everyone went up onto the deck while I stayed behind to watch the belongings. At a local specialty shop, the group listened intently to the explanation of the traditional puzzle boxes, and each of them purchased a magic box they liked. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the group especially enjoyed the various hands-on play areas and moved energetically around the grounds. They became so absorbed in one of the interactive net play areas that it was quite a task to get everyone to move on. The group mentioned that there are Japanese restaurants back in their home region and that they are fond of sushi, and indeed everyone handled chopsticks skillfully. They kindly thanked me for planning a course suited to the whole group.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
Total5,000JPY

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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