TL;DR
First time in Japan, family of four with adventurous kids (14 & 11), and zero planning required on our part—Shuji designed and led the entire Hakone & Mt. Fuji day flawlessly. Stress-free, immersive, and unforgettable.
--
Shuji was an incredible and deeply insightful guide, and our day with him was one of the highlights of our time in Japan.
This was our first time visiting Japan, and for this portion of the trip, our travel curator—Kelly Woodruff, Founder Atlas Aurora Travel —intentionally left the day open for Shuji to design and lead. Shuji planned the entire Hakone and Mount Fuji full day (6+ hour) experience himself, and from the moment the day began, it was clear we were in expert hands.
Traveling as a family of four (my wife, our two kids—14 and 11—and myself), we were looking for something physically engaging, culturally meaningful, and completely stress-free. Shuji delivered exactly that. We had nothing to plan, manage, or figure out—our only job was to experience Japan.
Shuji picked us up promptly at our hotel in Ueno and guided us through the train system with ease, helping us board the Shinkansen and setting the tone for a smooth, well-paced day. From there, he led us through Hakone’s complex and layered transportation network—mountain trains, cable cars, ropeways, buses, and boats—without a single moment of confusion or rushing.
At Ōwakudani, Shuji took time to explain the volcanic landscape and history while we enjoyed black eggs (seven extra years of life!), black ice cream, and snacks. He knew exactly when to pause for views of Mount Fuji and when to keep things moving so the day stayed balanced and energizing.
We later crossed the crater lake on the Hakone pirate ship, where Shuji shared context about the surrounding mountains, shrines, and torii gates. When he pointed ahead and said, “We are going there!” it felt like a promise—and soon we were walking toward the Hakone Shrine.
The shrine area was fairly crowded, but Shuji navigated it thoughtfully, explaining smaller temples, rituals, and moments of meaning (including bowing before a mirror) while still giving us space to explore, take photos, and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Even after the Hakone loop concluded, Shuji continued guiding us all the way back—by bus and train—ensuring smooth transitions and a calm return to Tokyo. When we arrived at Tokyo Station, he made sure we were fully oriented near Tokyo Skytree before saying goodbye.
What stood out most was how effortless and human the entire experience felt. Instead of juggling logistics or staring at maps, we were fully present—with each other and with Japan. Shuji transformed an open day into a rich, memorable journey that we will talk about for years.
It was a priceless experience that created incredible memories for our family, and we are deeply grateful to Shuji. The next time we are in Japan, we will absolutely seek him out again.