Kanagawa: Odawara Station & Miyanoshita Station — Guide Masa

What's a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from Odawara to the Hakone Open-Air Museum

The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although they had visited Japan several times before, this was their first trip to Hakone. On this occasion, their purpose was to visit Japan and one other Asian destination. They had arrived the previous night, stayed one night in Tokyo, and came to Odawara this morning. After spending another night in Hakone today, they planned to take the Shinkansen the next day, sightsee in the Kansai area, and then continue on to their next destination in Asia before returning home.

The tour took place under clear skies, but thick clouds hung over Mount Fuji, so we were unable to see it. It was a clear but slightly chilly day for the tour. At the guests' request, the meeting point was changed from their accommodation, Hotel, to Odawara Station.

First, from Odawara Station, we transferred between the Hakone Tozan Railway, the cable car, and the ropeway to reach Owakudani. I explained "The Formation of Hakone" and "An Overview and History of Owakudani." There were questions such as "When were the volcanic groups of Hakone formed?" "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano?" The guests bought and tasted the "black eggs" and remarked, "The smell of sulfur is incredible."

Next, we took the ropeway to Togendai. After a short wait, we boarded the "pirate ship." Inside, it was almost full of visitors from overseas. There were questions such as "How deep is Lake Ashi? What is the water temperature?" "Can you swim in it?" and "Can you fish here?"

We disembarked at Moto-Hakone Port and walked to Hakone Shrine. I explained "The History of Hakone Shrine." After visiting the main hall, we took commemorative photos from the side, in front of the torii gate on the lake. In front of the torii, there was a question: "Why are so many people lining up to take photos?"

We returned to Moto-Hakone Port and went to an amazake teahouse. I explained about the "Tokaido." They ordered amazake and tokoroten.

Returning to Moto-Hakone Port, we transferred between the Hakone Tozan bus and the mountain railway to reach the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained the origins of the "Open-Air Museum." We made a quick circuit of the grounds. At the shop, they bought a "towel" as a souvenir. At the convenience store in front of Chokoku-no-Mori Station, they purchased "onigiri," an "egg sandwich," and other items.

The guests also commented, "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are clean. There is no litter." "Everyone is so polite." and "I've been able to relax for the first time in a while. I want to enjoy the hot springs." We parted ways in front of Miyanoshita Station, the nearest station to their accommodation.

Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Masa

Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.