Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour — Guide Hiro
January, 2025
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.
Tour Itinerary
- 8:10 Hotel meetup, 8:27 Deyama Station bus, 8:52 Miyanoshita mountain train, 9:21 Gora cable car, 9:50 Sounzan Station, substitute bus, 10:05 arrive at Owakudani, sightseeing, 11:00 Owakudani ropeway, arrive at Togendai, 12:00 Togendai pirate ship, 12:45 Motohakone Port, Hakone Shrine sightseeing, around 14:00 Motohakone bus, arrive at Hakone Checkpoint ruins
- Maruyama Bussan tour and lunch and chat, until 15:00 after passing the checkpoint, Onshi Park, cedar avenue, introduction, then disband 15:20
Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a lively group planning a trip. Both were very comfortable with travel, using their smartphones skillfully to manage transportation. However, at the time the ropeway was closed for regular inspection between Sounzan and Owakudani, so there was a role for me to play. One of the guests had already visited Hakone in 2012 and was quite familiar with the area. Even so, the view of Mount Fuji from Hakone and the traditional yosegi marquetry woodwork at a local craft shop were a first-time experience, and they were delighted. As usual, I made a congratulatory board with the guests' signatures and took photos, and they also had a video chat on a smartphone with a family member, so we had an enjoyable time together. When we reached Onshi Park, the guests suggested that since they could return with a single bus ride, they would like to relax on their own and enjoy nature there, so we ended the tour at that point and parted ways.
Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Odawara Station～Odawara Station | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
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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Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…
Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide. He answered any question we asked. He was well organised in dealing with our preferences and was able to taylor our itinerary to our interests. Overall a very enjoyable day. Would definitely recommend.
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro.…
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro. He gave us very comprehensive tour of Hakone. Did great explanation of history and explained a lot about culture of Japan. Very comprehensive.
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