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 Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu
- 10:30 The Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 11:30 Lunch at Gora (Tamura Gin Katsu-tei)
- 13:00 Tea ceremony experience at Hakuun-do in Gora Park
- 14:00 Hakone Museum of Art
- 15:20 Okada Museum of Art
- 16:00 Disband at the Okada Museum of Art
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:00 at Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu and ended at 16:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at Gora (Tamura Gin Katsu-tei) at 11:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Hakone Open-Air Museum at 10:30, Hakone Museum of Art at 14:00 and Okada Museum of Art at 15:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Odawara to Hakone area by train (5,000JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 5,000JPY per person.
What Is a Private Hakone Tour Like When the Ropeway Is Closed? A Licensed Guide's Report
On the day of the tour, strong winds caused the Hakone Ropeway and the Lake Ashi sightseeing boats to be suspended, so visits to Owakudani and Lake Ashi had to be canceled.
1) Since the guests had expressed an interest in appreciating art, I quickly switched the plan to a tour of Hakone's art museums. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, they enjoyed the outdoor exhibits.
2) At the Hakone Museum of Art, I explained the relationship between Imari ware and Kutani ware, organizing their similarities and differences, and the guests understood well. They also saw the display of Jomon pottery from before the common era, and said this helped them appreciate the great length of Japanese history.
3) At the Okada Museum of Art, the guests enjoyed a collection of Japanese paintings and works based on East Asian thought.
4) For lunch, they had tofu katsu-ni at Tamura Ginkatsutei, a popular restaurant in Gora. They were pleased, saying it was different from the Japanese cuisine they had eaten before. While waiting for the lunch to arrive at the table, we folded paper cranes together, which they enjoyed.
5) Due to the poor weather, we were unable to see the view of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi that they had been looking forward to. As they were staying in Hakone the following day as well, they said they wanted to try again if the weather improved, so I explained specifically how to get there and ended the tour.
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 | Odawara～Hakone area | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu at 10:00, and the tour finished at Okada Museum of Art 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 Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone Museum of Art and Okada Museum of Art.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 5,000JPY 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?
Toru 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.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
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Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the…
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S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.