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
- 10;00 Meet at the hotel, walk to Naka-Gora Station. Departure at 10:24 by cable car to Sounzan. Ropeway. Explore Owakudani and enjoy black eggs. By ropeway to Togendai. 12:00 Pirate ship. 12:40 Arrive at Motohakone. After visiting the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine, 13:20 by bus to Hakone Checkpoint Ruins. Lunch at Donburi Chaya. Shopping at Maruyama Bussan. 14:30 by bus, get off at Ninotaira. Walk to the Hakone Open-Air Museum by 15:10. 16:15 take the train from Chokoku-no-Mori Station. 16:20 Arrive at Gora Station and disband. Customers will return to the hotel on their own by cable car via Naka-Gora, taking the same route they came in the morning.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting from North America. We visited Owakudani and took the pirate ship, and from Moto-Hakone we were just able to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji (not the whole mountain, but part of it). I made the usual celebration board and took photos. At Owakudani, the guests tried the black eggs and said they were delicious. They mentioned that they often eat Japanese food back home, and they finished an entire rice bowl dish at a donburi restaurant. The presentation on marquetry (yosegi woodwork) at a local products shop was fascinating to them, and they even filmed a video, showing great admiration. They purchased a framed piece with a pattern design. The Hakone Open-Air Museum was one of their main goals, and although it came last on the route, they took many photos and thoroughly enjoyed it. During the meal, we talked about kanji characters, and the guests listened with great interest.
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 | 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