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

  • 8:30 Meet at the hotel. By bus to Gora Station. By cable car to Sounzan. By ropeway to Owakudani. Magnificent view of Mt. Fuji. Black eggs. By ropeway to Togendai. 10:45 Pirate ship. View the torii gate of Hakone Shrine from the ship. Disembark at Hakonemachi Port. By bus. From Ninotaira, walk to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. By train to Gora Station. Walk to Hotel Indigo. Disband at 2:10
  • The guests will go by arranged car from the hotel at 2:30 to Odawara Station. 16:06 to Kyoto by Shinkansen

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

The guests were a very friendly group from North America. They planned to return to the hotel at 2:30 and head to Odawara Station by car. However, since they had come all this way, they expressed a wish to see as many places as possible. After an open and casual discussion, we agreed to skip a sit-down restaurant meal and keep moving, which turned into a packed itinerary where we only had time for a single cup of coffee at the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Even so, as the photos show, the guests enjoyed themselves very much. During the drives between locations, I also introduced Japanese history, culture, and legends, helping them deepen their understanding of Japan at least a little.

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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