Kanagawa: Gora Station & Choanji Temple — Guide Leo
August, 2026
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 @ Hotel
- 10:15 Gora Station
- 10:50 Owakudani
- 11:15 Owakudani Station
- 12:00 Board Pirate Ship @ Togendai Port
- 12:40 Lunch @ Taisho
- 14:30 Hakone Shrine
- 15:20 Motohakone Port
- 16:00 The Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 17:15 Choanji Temple
- 18:00 Arrive at Gora Station → Tour Ends
What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had just arrived in Japan the previous day and came directly to Hakone from the airport. They showed particular interest in Hakone Shrine and asked many enthusiastic questions about topics such as the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism. They also had a strong interest in food, and at a local restaurant they were willing to try dishes with distinctive flavors such as eel and pond smelt, which they thoroughly enjoyed. As we had time to spare, we ended at Choanji Temple in Sengokuhara. In the cemetery at the back, the conversation grew lively, expanding from Japan's unique grave and burial customs all the way to the Imperial Family. It was very memorable how they remained enthusiastic and asked so many questions right until the end, making it a truly enjoyable tour.
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 | Gora Station～Sengoku | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
Hello! I’m Ryosuke—please call me Leo.
I’d love to help you create great memories in Japan, especially around Tokyo and my hometown, Hiroshima.
I once traveled 44,000 km by bicycle across four continents (every continent except Australia!). There’s a chance I might even have passed through your hometown. Through that journey, I learned not only how wonderful travel can be, but also the things travelers should watch out for.
With that experience, I’m sure I can help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Let’s have a great time exploring Japan together!
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our…
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our guide, was very knowledgeable regarding the culture and history of each site we visited. And for lunch he found a delicious authentic Ramen counter restaurant. It was a really nice day with great memories.
Jul 24, 2026
893cydneyh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best Tour Guide
We had an incredible 6-hour tour…
Jul 24, 2026
893cydneyh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best Tour Guide
We had an incredible 6-hour tour with Leo, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Tokyo! We were visiting Japan to celebrate my daughter’s birthday, and Leo made the day even more special from start to finish. From the moment he picked us up at our hotel until he dropped us off, everything was seamless, thoughtful, and perfectly planned.
Our first stop was a beautiful temple, where Leo explained the traditional hand-washing ritual before entering. We also tossed a coin to make a wish, and learning the meaning behind these customs made the experience so much more meaningful.
Afterward, Leo took us to an amazing sushi restaurant called Kura, where we had a delicious meal. We also visited the famous Shibuya Crossing, explored the Pokémon Center, and picked up some wonderful souvenirs. Traveling around Tokyo by train with Leo was an experience in itself—he made navigating the city so easy while teaching us so much about Japan, its history, traditions, and culture.
One of the sweetest surprises was that Leo gifted my daughter and me beautiful traditional Japanese fans to celebrate her birthday. It was such a thoughtful gesture that meant so much to us and is something we’ll always remember.
Leo was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, kind, and personable. He answered every question I had and shared fascinating insights throughout the day that we never would have learned on our own. His passion for Japan shines through in everything he does, and he made sure both my daughter and I had an unforgettable experience.
If you’re visiting Tokyo and looking for a guide who is professional, friendly, and genuinely cares about making your experience special, I cannot recommend Leo enough. We will absolutely recommend him to our friends and family, and the next time we’re in Japan, we won’t hesitate to book another tour with him. Thank you, Leo, for making my daughter’s birthday trip so memorable!
May 25, 2026
llindgren0604
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A seamless experience
Leo was a great tour guide. We got…
May 25, 2026
llindgren0604
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A seamless experience
Leo was a great tour guide. We got to do and see all of the major Hakone sites. It was a
perfect day.
May 21, 2026
lyndapI1304ZZ
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking guide in Hakone
Unfortunately the weather restricted some of our…
May 21, 2026
lyndapI1304ZZ
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking guide in Hakone
Unfortunately the weather restricted some of our options, but Leo adapted the tour and we
had a fantastic time.