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
- 6:40 Meet, 6:50 Start from hotel by private car, 8:50 Mt. Fuji 5th Station, then Mt. Fuji Oniwa hiking, 10:15 Depart Oniwa, 11:00 Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, 12:00 Depart there, Purchase food at convenience store on the way, Eat in the car, 12:40 Oshino Hakkai, 13:40 Depart there, 15:30 Arrive at hotel
Title: Can You See Mount Fuji on a Cloudy Day? A Licensed Guide's Private Fuji, Kubota Itchiku Museum, and Oshino Hakkai Tour Report
The guests hoped to see Mount Fuji, but it was cloudy and the mountain was not visible from the lower areas. I suggested that if we went up to the 5th Station, we would be above the rain clouds, so we headed straight there to give it a try. The plan worked, and the guests were moved and grateful to see a magnificent view of Mount Fuji. Before visiting Oshino Hakkai as the guests had requested, I proposed the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum. After a video introduction, the guests viewed the exhibits and enjoyed experiencing a part of Japanese art. At Oshino Hakkai, we went up into the observation deck, and the harmony between the old traditional houses and nature felt very Japanese, so the guests took many photos, just as they had at Mount Fuji.
The tour finished 30 minutes earlier than scheduled, but I had informed the guests at Oshino Hakkai that we might finish early, and they preferred to arrive back earlier so they could prepare for their departure to Kyoto the next day, so this had already been agreed upon.
Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo by Car with Licensed Guide
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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Jun 30, 2026
G2432BLtimothyc
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
6 hour tour of Hakone
we had a great experience with…
Jun 30, 2026
G2432BLtimothyc
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
6 hour tour of Hakone
we had a great experience with our guide, Hiro. Despite the weather not cooperating (rain),
Hiro was great about making adjustments so that we could see as much as Hakone as
possible.
Jun 25, 2026
T7734IPbrandons
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in hakone
Niro was perfect for us. He was…
Jun 25, 2026
T7734IPbrandons
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in hakone
Niro was perfect for us. He was flexible for our first time in Hakone and the kids enjoyed it
Jun 8, 2026
JasonB6980
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hiro-san knows Hakone!
Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…
Jun 8, 2026
JasonB6980
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hiro-san knows Hakone!
Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing us to the area of Hakone – leading us on a great tour of several requested destinations. We were lucky to see Mt. Fuji at the top of the ropeway, had a fun ride on a pirate ship on Lake Ashi, enjoyed a fantastic lunch at a local restaurant, and picked up some great souvenirs at a puzzle-box store which have wowed our family and friends. One of the great things that Hiro did throughout the day was to educate and amuse us with numerous pictures, stories, and lessons from his backpack. It felt like Hiro-san was part of our family that day and we can’t imagine having tried to experience Hakone’s great sites without him.
Jun 7, 2026
Tourist31988989961
Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
Great Day and Tour
Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…
Jun 7, 2026
Tourist31988989961
Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
Great Day and Tour
Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed visiting the beautiful gardens and shrines. Hiro was a great guide. Having him guide us made the day stress free and much more enjoyable. It was interesting learning about Japan and the culture. I would definitely recommend this tour and visiting Kamakura.