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

  • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
  • 9:10 From Sounzan Station, take the ropeway to Owakudani
  • 9:25 Owakudani
  • 9:50 From Owakudani, take the ropeway to Togendai
  • 10:45 Take the pirate ship to Hakonemachi Port
  • 11:20 Shopping at the souvenir shop
  • 12:00 Guide (not needed) from the entrance of the Hakone Checkpoint
  • 12:30 Lunch
  • 13:15 Stroll along the Old Tokaido Road
  • 13:40 Hakone Shrine
  • 14:20 Depart for the hotel
  • 14:50 Arrive at the hotel, guide ends

Private Hakone Day Tour Report from a Japan Guide Agency Licensed Guide: Lake Ashi, Owakudani, and Hakone Shrine

The guests were a group visiting from North America. Interestingly, I had studied English for two months before going abroad at a university in North America, and it turned out that one of the guests had been a professor at that very university. In addition, an ancestor of the group had emigrated to North America from Hiroshima, and since I am from Hiroshima myself, what an amazing coincidence! Today we were lucky to see Mount Fuji beautifully from both the ropeway and Owakudani. The guests were also impressed by the volcanic activity at Owakudani. On the pirate ship, they relaxed in a first-class cabin. Since I had heard from the travel agency that some of the guests enjoyed shopping, I introduced two souvenir shops, and indeed we spent a long time shopping 😅. I guided them through the Hakone Checkpoint and the old Tokaido road, then Hakone Shrine, the Peace Torii Gate, Kuzuryu Shrine, and the Anzan Sugi cedar. At the last spot, famous for blessings related to children, the guests prayed earnestly.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1OtherSounzan~Togendai1,500JPY
Section 2OtherTogendai~Hakonemachi Port1,200JPY
Total2,700JPY

My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.

Jul 16, 2026
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Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge

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A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.

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