Kanagawa: Walk to Kowakien bus stop — Guide Middy
September, 2024
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 Barhotel Hakone Kozan lobby, tour begins
- 8:30-8:35 Walk to Kowakien bus stop
- 8:41-8:46 Take the sightseeing facility loop bus to Gora Station
- 9:06-8:56 From Gora Station to Sounzan Station by cable car
- 9:10-9:30 From Sounzan Station to Owakudani Station by ropeway
- When we left Sounzan Station, it was foggy and we could barely see our surroundings, but as we approached Owakudani Station, the view opened up. I thought it would be empty in the morning, but many elementary school students on a school trip arrived and it became lively.
- 9:30-10:00 Owakudani free time. We could clearly see Mt. Fuji, so we were able to take lots of wonderful photos.
- 10:00-10:30 From Owakudani Station to Togendai Station by ropeway
- We could see Mt. Fuji here as well.
- 10:30-10:45 Togendai. We decided to take the 10:45 pirate ship. Applying what Andy taught in the recent training, I recommended first class to the guests, and we decided to take first class. After a while, a group of elementary school students on a school trip arrived, took a commemorative photo by the lakeside, and boarded the same ship, so I was glad we chose first class.
- 10:45-11:25 By pirate ship from Togendai Port to Motohakone Port
- The guests were delighted to spend time relaxing in the first class cabin. Since lunch was planned at Motohakone, they looked at the menus of several restaurants that I had printed out in advance on the ship, and decided on Hotel de Yama.
- 11:30-12:30 Toured Hakone Shrine on foot. Kyudo (Japanese archery) practice was underway at the martial arts hall on the grounds, so we watched from outside. We climbed up to the main hall to pay our respects and then moved to Hotel de Yama.
- 12:30-13:30 Japanese lunch at Hotel de Yama. The husband had the 3000 yen seafood bowl set. The wife had the 2200 yen nigiri sushi. This is a calm restaurant with a view of Lake Ashi, and we could dine leisurely without waiting outside. The prices are somewhat high, but meals in the 2000 yen range are also available, so I recommend it for adult guests who value atmosphere.
- 13:30-14:00 Walk from Hotel de Yama to Motohakone bus stop
- 14:00-14:20 By bus from Motohakone bus stop to Ninotaira-iriguchi bus stop
- It started raining when we got off the bus.
- 14:00-14:15 Walk from Ninotaira-iriguchi to the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 14:20-16:00 Toured the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- The rain got stronger around the time we entered, so I asked at the entrance if umbrellas could be borrowed, and they said they could be borrowed at the reception of the main gallery inside. So I borrowed two, one for each guest. The guests were impressed that the museum's exhibits were more substantial than expected, and both of them enjoyed it very much.
- 16:00 We had planned to return to the hotel from here, but the guests said this was fine, so we parted ways in front of Chokoku-no-Mori Station.
What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The tour began early in the morning from a hotel in Hakone, so the guests were able to see a beautiful view of Mount Fuji from Owakudani. Before meeting the guests, I checked the conditions on the Hakone live camera, and since Mount Fuji was visible from around Lake Ashi and from Mount Kintoki as well, I had hoped for a good view — and it turned out even better than expected, which was a relief. Since it was a weekday in September and relatively uncrowded, we were able to board every attraction without waiting. The tour progressed much faster than planned, so I considered adding one more sightseeing spot, but the guests said they had seen everything on the itinerary and were satisfied. It was my first time using the first-class option on the pirate ship, but with a free pass it only costs 700 yen, so I felt it was not expensive. The guests were a calm and lovely group, and I greatly enjoyed the many conversations we had.
Note: Just before meeting the guests, I twisted my right foot while walking near the Kowakien area. There was some pain, but I was relieved to finish the tour safely. When I went to the hospital after returning home, I was diagnosed with a fracture below the little toe of my right foot. Since this occurred before the tour, I am wondering whether this would fall outside the coverage of the insurance.
Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Odawara Station～Odawara Station | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
My name is Midori Katayama. I have been working as a national licensed English-speaking tour guide since 2024. I have guided group bus tours as well as FIT guests. I truly enjoy showing visitors from overseas the wonderful places in Japan and sharing our culture with them.
I live in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is located just south of Tokyo and offers great sightseeing destinations such as Yokohama, Kamakura, and Hakone. There are four people in my family—my husband, my son, and my mother. My son has already moved out and lives on his own, so now the three of us live together.
I also study tea ceremony, and I look forward to sharing Japanese culture with all of you.
Thank you very much, and I hope to see you soon.
Apr 27, 2025
202travelor
Magical birthday!
Tripadvisor review: Yokohama 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Middy arranged a bespoke day in Yokohama for my husband’s…
Apr 27, 2025
202travelor
Magical birthday!
Tripadvisor review: Yokohama 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Middy arranged a bespoke day in Yokohama for my husband’s birthday. We enjoyed the
waterfront and the very special go parlor match with Yokohama’s champion, followed by a
dim sum finale in Chinatown.
Sep 22, 2024
M-N-M-FAB4
Perfect Day And we saw Mt Fuji
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a pleasant…
Sep 22, 2024
M-N-M-FAB4
Perfect Day And we saw Mt Fuji
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a pleasant experience with Midori. She navigated the logistics and also suggested a perfectly timed experience before it got crowded. We saw Mt Fuki in all its glory which we know is not guaranteed. She followed the weather. When the boat got crowded she suggested we consider upgrading to a higher class for a small supplement. She was right. She suggested the Hakone Freepass and she was right. She gave us choices for lunch. As first time visitors Hakone can be intimidating and with the realization we may only get to Hakone once, we booked this tour and was not disappointed. And, we enjoyed learning about our guide Midori, a retired teacher. She can customize your itinerary to your interests. She planned the day perfectly so much that she felt bad we had time left and wanted to introduce more options for us.