Kanagawa: Take photos at Owakudani — Guide Atsushi

Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, Komagatake, and Mount Fuji Views

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They arrived in Japan in April and traveled to Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa, reaching Hakone two days before the tour.

We had discussed and agreed on the itinerary in advance based on their requests. However, on the day itself, they mentioned that they had already visited Hakone Shrine and the Hakone Open-Air Museum using a 3-day free pass, so after meeting up we discussed changing the itinerary.

Since they wanted to take many photos in scenic locations, I proposed Mount Komagatake as an alternative. As the Hakone Free Pass could not be used there, I explained that it would cost an additional 4,000 yen or so per person, and we agreed on the revised itinerary.

In the end, I believe the itinerary greatly satisfied the guests' wishes.

We were also blessed with a clear, cloudless day, and they enjoyed the unusual scenery of the Owakudani Nature Research Path, Mount Fuji clearly showing itself along the way, the old townscape around the checkpoint, the natural scenery of the cedar-lined path, and the sweeping panorama from Mount Komagatake, taking many photos and videos.

At the marquetry (yosegi zaiku) shop, they asked the staff many questions and carefully examined the items. In the end they purchased chopsticks, insisting that both the wood used and the craftsmanship had to be Japanese.

The one challenge I felt was with the Owakudani Nature Research Path tour.

The Japanese guide for the tour starting at 10:00 that day did not speak English, so I interpreted for the guests. About half of the explanation covered safety precautions, the history of the volcano, and the scenery, which I was able to interpret. However, the other half consisted of trivia-style topics understandable only to Japanese people, which went over very well with the Japanese participants but were very difficult to interpret. I was told that there are also several National Guide-Interpreters among the Nature Research Path guides, so if other guides join this tour, it would be a good idea to check in advance.

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

Tour Report by Atsushi

Hi everyone! I’m Atsushi.
Born in the historic fishing port of Shiogama in Miyagi Prefecture and raised in Tokyo and Kanagawa, I’ve spent my life immersed in Japanese culture.
During my six years in the countryside as a university student, I fell in love with hiking and visiting temples.
After graduating with a master’s degree in agricultural science, I spent 40 years in R&D at a food manufacturing company before transitioning from part-time guiding to becoming a full-time professional tour guide at the end of 2025.
My true passion lies in Japan’s rich culinary and sake traditions.
I specialize in FIT tours around Tokyo and Hakone, and I even lead sumo culture tours!
I’m dedicated to making your journey truly unforgettable, and I look forward to helping you get the absolute most out of your stay in Japan.
I can’t wait to meet you!