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

  • 10:20 Meet After the meeting, depart by car at 10:30 Arrive at Sounzan at 10:40 Ropeway Owakudani Ropeway Togendai 12:00 Pirate ship 12:25 Arrive at Hakonemachi Port
  • By car Get off at Sekisho-ato (Checkpoint Ruins) Maruyama Bussan Lunch at Donburi Chaya Introduce the checkpoint entrance 13:50 By car Hakone Shrine Red Torii Gate 14:20 By car to the Hakone Open-Air Museum Arrive at 14:40
  • Stroll around the museum 16:15 By car to the hotel 16:25 Disband at the front desk

What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Lake Ashi, the Open-Air Museum, and Local Crafts

The tour was a celebration trip for the group. It was clear how much they cared for one another. One of the guests had visited Japan ten years earlier and had only been able to see Mount Fuji for about two seconds, so there were high hopes this time, but unfortunately it was not visible on this occasion. Even so, the guests enjoyed the natural beauty of Hakone. They enjoyed a marquetry (yosegi) woodcraft presentation at a local shop, and at the photo corner all of them returned to a childlike spirit and took pictures. At a local rice-bowl restaurant, they ordered a variety of dishes and enjoyed the meal by sharing everything with one another. While seated together, I introduced kanji and the Japanese language, which they listened to with great interest. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, they also tried the foot bath and spent a relaxing time.

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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