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
- 10:00 Hotel meetup
- 10:40～11:20 Owakudani stroll
- 12:00～12:40 Lake Ashi cruise on pirate ship
- 12:50～13:40 Hakone Shrine round trip
- 13:50～14:30 Lunch at Kinuhiki no Sato
- 15:10～16:00 Hakone Open-Air Museum stroll
- 16:00 Tour ends at the Open-Air Museum
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kanagawa began at 10:00, when the guide met the guests at Hotel meetup, and finished at 16:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at Kinuhiki no Sato at 13:50.
From there the group visited Owakudani stroll at 10:40, Lake Ashi cruise on pirate ship at 12:00, Hakone Shrine round trip at 12:50 and Hakone Open-Air Museum stroll at 15:10.
Public transport for the day came to 6,000JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Today's guests were visitors from North America who chose Hakone as the final stop of their long trip through Japan. Before visiting Hakone, they had traveled to Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Kyoto, and they said every day had been very hot.
On the day of the tour, in contrast to the recent extreme heat, the temperature was lower and the weather was very pleasant. Rain started falling in the afternoon, but we were able to continue the tour comfortably by working around the breaks between showers.
We visited Hakone's most representative spots, and among them, Hakone Shrine and the Hakone Open-Air Museum seemed to leave a strong impression. The guests enjoyed the sacred and quiet atmosphere of Hakone Shrine, surrounded by greenery. As for the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the guests seemed to enjoy visiting art museums in general, so it was a perfect way to bring the tour to a close.
For lunch at Kinuhiki-no-Sato near Moto-Hakone Port, the guests enjoyed kinuhiki udon and katsu-ju. One of the guests had a strong interest in food, and we had a lively conversation ranging from traditional Japanese cuisine to cuisines from around the world.
Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Hakone～Hakone | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel meetup at 10:00, and the tour finished at Tour ends at the Open-Air Museum at 16:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 10:00 to 16:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Owakudani stroll, Lake Ashi cruise on pirate ship, Hakone Shrine round trip and Hakone Open-Air Museum stroll.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 6,000JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Atsushi is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kanagawa itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
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!
Jul 27, 2026
25stephn
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Highly recommend this tour!
Atsushi was an absolutely phenomenal…
Jul 27, 2026
25stephn
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Highly recommend this tour!
Atsushi was an absolutely phenomenal guide, and we had an incredible day. He was so accommodating and willing to change plans to suit our needs. We had the best time and really loved everything he planned for us to do. He’s also a great conversationalist!
Jul 23, 2026
melanierK3084ZH
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Wonderful Senso-ji tour
Atsushi was a wonderful guide! My…
Jul 23, 2026
melanierK3084ZH
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Wonderful Senso-ji tour
Atsushi was a wonderful guide! My family and I really enjoyed our tour of Senso-ji combined with a food tour. He made our trip special.
May 30, 2026
M3248YQLinda
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I was travelling with my…
May 30, 2026
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Introduction to Tokyo
I was travelling with my mother & thought a walking tour in the heritage areas of Tokyo would be a great introduction on our first day. Our guide Asushi put together an itinerary based on our preferences & to suit the needs of my 83 yr old mother. Asushi was a caring & generous guide who wanted to make the most of our day. We enjoyed hearing about his life, family & faith, giving us a greater understanding of Japanese culture.
Apr 18, 2026
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We had a great half-day tour of Tokyo with…
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Half-day in Tokyo
We had a great half-day tour of Tokyo with Atsushi, who was very friendly and
knowledgeable. Half a day is only enough to scratch the surface but Atsushi was able to
accommodate and tailor the tour to our interests. Would recommend.