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
- 9:30 Meet up @ Hyatt Regency Hakone
- 9:44 – 9:47 Kamigora → Sounzan Station (Transport: Hakone Cable Car)
- 10:00 – 10:15 Sounzan Station → Owakudani Station (Transport: Hakone Ropeway)
- 10:15 – 10:45 Stay at Owakudani (photos, black eggs, etc.)
- 10:45 – 11:10 Owakudani Station → Togendai Station (Transport: Hakone Ropeway)
- 11:25 – 11:50 Togendai Port → Hakonemachi Port (Transport: Hakone Pirate Ship)
- 12:00 – 12:30 Lunch @ Cafe Komon
- 12:30 – 12:40 @ Yosegi Zaiku Uchihara
- 12:45 – 13:10 Uchihara → Moto-Hakone Port (Transport: On foot. Passing through the old Tokaido cedar avenue on the way)
- 13:35 – 13:40 Moto-Hakone Port → Amazake Chaya (Transport: Hakone Tozan Bus)
- 13:40 – 14:00 @ Amazake Chaya
- 14:03 – 14:15 Amazake Chaya → Moto-Hakone Port (Transport: Hakone Tozan Bus)
- 14:18 – 14:33 Moto-Hakone Port → Ninotaira Entrance (Transport: Hakone Tozan Bus)
- 14:40 – 15:40 @ Strolling around the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 15:50 Disband @ Hakone Open-Air Museum (Call the hotel shuttle bus and disband)
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. It was difficult to reach them in advance, but they finally replied two days before the tour, so I had to put together an itinerary at short notice. Since I already knew their accommodation, a rough itinerary was in place, so it was not much trouble.
By the day of the tour, they had already traveled to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and were surprised at how crowded everywhere was. They had only just arrived in Hakone, but they liked it because it was not so crowded and had plenty of nature.
After retirement, they had settled in a new home in North America and seemed to be enjoying life to the fullest, having also purchased a condominium on an island in the region. They had been unable to travel during the pandemic, but were finally able to visit Japan, a destination they had long wanted to see. They are currently creating a garden and planting Japanese maple trees, and they clearly love Japan very much. It was wonderful to see how much they enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of Hakone.
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 | Train | Kamigora Station～Sounzan Station | 90JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Sounzan Station～Togendai | 1,500JPY |
| Section 3 | Ferry | Togendai Port～Hakonemachi Port | 1,200JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Moto-Hakone Port～Amazake Chaya | 320JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Amazake Chaya～Moto-Hakone Port | 320JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Moto-Hakone Port～Ninotaira Entrance | 650JPY |
| Total | 4,080JPY | ||
I registered as a national guide in February 2015 and began working as an interpreter guide in 2019. I have been guiding throughout Tokyo (I was born and raised in Setagaya and went to elementary and junior high school in Aoyama, Minato-ku. I am familiar with sightseeing spots and gourmet food in this area, including Shibuya), and I now live in Kanagawa (Yokohama where I have lived more than 30 years, and Kamakura, Odawara, Hakone)
I worked for the Japanese branch of an American advertising company for over 30 years and, thus, have deep knowledge of marketing and branding.
My hobbies are travel (domestic and international) and bicycling (I have participated in the Tour de Okinawa citizens’ race every year since 2017. I ride approx. 7,000 kilometers a year). When traveling in Japan, I enjoy traditional crafts, local products, food, and sake from each region. I am also active in a band as a third hobby, performing live once a year for ten years.
As a guide, I mainly guide small groups (about 4-5 people), where I can communicate more closely and politely with them, rather than large groups.
My activity aims to deepen the understanding of Japanese traditional culture and the Japanese people among foreign visitors and to make a small contribution to making Japan the number one country to revisit in their hearts.
May 31, 2026
Carol_S
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great way to start a trip
Hidecki reached out a couple of…
May 31, 2026
Carol_S
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great way to start a trip
Hidecki reached out a couple of days to ask what landmarks we wanted to see, and then
came up with a great itinerary. Hidecki was an amazing guide, he was brilliant in imparting
the history of the areas. Cannot thank him enough. This was a great way to start our trip.
May 7, 2026
Alain_V
Viator review: Yokohama 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Belle visite
Merci beaucoup à notre guide Ideaki qui nous a permis…
May 7, 2026
Alain_V
Viator review: Yokohama 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Belle visite
Merci beaucoup à notre guide Ideaki qui nous a permis de découvrir Yokohama. Toujours
bien présent pour parfaire nos demandes.
素晴らしい訪問でした。
横浜を案内してくれたガイドのIdeakiさんには大変感謝しています。私たちの要望にしっかり応えてくれ、常にきめ細やかに対応してくれました。
Apr 16, 2026
Julia_S
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Excellent Guide made for an Excellent Tour
We enjoyed our…
Apr 16, 2026
Julia_S
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Excellent Guide made for an Excellent Tour
We enjoyed our tour because of the outstanding guide we had. Hide, our guide, contacted us in advance to determine what we wanted to see and do. Because we wanted a special lunch, he sent links for three restaurants that fit our criteria so we could select which would be best for us. He easily adjusted our itinerary if we wanted to spend a little more time somewhere or make a quick stop to buy a snack or souvenir. He gave great explanations of what sights we were visiting.
Mar 25, 2026
Jeff_M
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Short tour of a huge city
Hideiki obviously wanted to give us…
Mar 25, 2026
Jeff_M
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Short tour of a huge city
Hideiki obviously wanted to give us the best experience possible, asking many questions
about our interests and priorities.