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
- 9:40 Hakone Prince Meet, during the tour start meeting, the customer asked that they wanted to buy tickets for the Odawara-Kyoto section on the Shinkansen departing at 6:56 tomorrow, but since online booking is only available from 11:00 onwards, they wanted to buy them at the station. Identifying the issues as securing the tickets and securing a taxi, I explained to the customer. Before today's tour, I proceeded to address these matters in advance, requesting the hotel to arrange an early morning taxi (fortunately the arrangement was made). Next, took the hotel shuttle bus to Odawara Station, and after securing the tickets, returned to Hakone by taxi, then after the ropeway, took another taxi to the hotel, arranged the luggage shipment, and again by taxi stopped by Moto-Hakone to make a dinner 🍴 reservation, then
- via Maruyama Bussan, Hakone Checkpoint, and the old road cedar avenue, returned to the reserved restaurant and dispersed at 17:00
What Is a Private Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani and the Old Cedar Avenue
As noted in the route, this became a completely unplanned itinerary, but by first addressing the guests' pending concerns and following up with the original sightseeing afterward, each issue was resolved step by step, which increased the guests' sense of reassurance and allowed them to enjoy the tour. Since the guests were interested in nature walks and experiencing history in Hakone, we focused on the volcanic natural beauty of Owakudani and the historic cedar avenue along the old highway, and I also introduced historical crafts at a local shop, where the guests purchased items such as a hanging scroll with marquetry artwork. The guests thoroughly enjoyed the cedar avenue, saying it was exactly the kind of nature-filled Japanese scenery they had hoped to see. After dinner at a restaurant, I introduced the hotel shuttle bus at 18:30, which the guests understood and accepted. Some of the guests moved separately with another group.
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 | Other | Sounzan～Togendai | 0JPY |
| Total | 0JPY | ||
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.