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
- 9:00 Meeting place: Hyatt House Shibuya (Shibuya)
- 9:20 Depart Hyatt House Shibuya
- (Minivan: Driver Hayama)
- (via Odawara-Atsugi Road)
- 11:25 Sounzan Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- 12:00 Arrive Owakudani Station
- Owakudani Owakudani Kurotamago-kan
- Hakone Geomuseum
- 12:;40 Depart Owakudani Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- 13:00 Arrive Togendai Station
- 13:15 Depart Togendai Station
- (Lake Ashi・Hakone Pirate Ship)
- 13:55 Arrive Motohakone Port
- (Minivan: Driver Hayama)
- 14:00 Hakone Shrine
- (Minivan: Driver Hayama)
- Motohakone Hakone Shrine
- 14:30 Depart Hakone Shrine
- (Minivan: Driver Hayama)
- 15:00 Arrive Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Hakone Open-Air Museum Restaurant in Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 16:30 Depart Hakone Open-Air Museum
- (Minivan: Driver Hayama)
- (via Gotemba)
- 18:30 Hyatt House Shibuya (Shibuya)
- 18:30 Dismissal: Hyatt House Shibuya entrance
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at Hyatt House Shibuya (Shibuya), and finished at 18:30. The day ran to 9 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Hyatt House Shibuya at 9:20, Sounzan Station at 11:25, Owakudani Station at 12:00, Togendai Station at 13:00, Motohakone Port at 13:55, Hakone Shrine at 14:00, Hakone Open-Air Museum at 15:00 and Hyatt House Shibuya (Shibuya) at 18:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Sounzan Station to Motohakone Port by Free Pass (5,000JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 5,000JPY per person.
Private One-Day Hakone Tour from Tokyo: A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. This was a trip of about ten days. After arriving at Haneda Airport and staying in Tokyo for several days, they planned to visit Kyoto before returning to Tokyo and then flying home.
This booking came through a travel agency, which passed along two requests: that great care be taken with regard to food, and that the guests not be burdened with repeatedly having to "line up to buy tickets" for the various rides in Hakone.
It was a very hot and humid day for the tour. Although there were clouds overhead, we were able to catch a view of Mount Fuji.
The tour followed the guests' wish to "circle around all the main spots in Hakone."
We departed from the accommodation in Shibuya. However, due to a delay in the guests' preparations, the departure itself was about 20 minutes behind schedule. As usual, there was heavy traffic from Yokohama-Machida to Ebina, so it took more than two hours to arrive.
In the car, I introduced myself and gave an overview of Hakone.
We drove to Sounzan, and from there took the cable car to Owakudani.
I explained the overview and history of Owakudani. Everyone tried the "black eggs," and we also visited the Geo Museum.
There were questions such as "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it erupted recently?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano?" They bought souvenirs at the shop, especially "yosegi" marquetry (they mentioned that there is a similar craft in their home region).
We continued by ropeway to Togendai. After a short wait, we boarded the "pirate ship." We took a spot on the upper deck and took many commemorative photos.
There were questions such as "What is the water temperature?" "How deep is Lake Ashi?" and "Can you swim in it?" We took many photos on board.
We disembarked at Motohakone Port, moved by car to Hakone Shrine, and walked to both the main hall and the torii gate in the lake. The line for photos in front of the torii was so long that we gave up on taking a picture there.
After this, we drove to the "Hakone Open-Air Museum."
Since the guests said they were hungry, we went to the restaurant inside the museum. I had been a little concerned, but without any issue at all they ordered "pizza," "pasta," and "Caesar salad" (with the comment, "We eat this all the time.").
We toured the Hakone Open-Air Museum briefly. They took photos here and there. They also bought many souvenirs at the shop.
From here, after checking the traffic conditions, we headed back via Gotemba.
There were comments such as "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are orderly and clean. There's no litter on the ground." "Everyone is polite." "The subways in the city are really well maintained."
We arrived at the Hotel later than scheduled and parted ways there.
Click here for more details: Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo by Car with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Sounzan Station～Motohakone Port | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hyatt House Shibuya (Shibuya) at 9:00, and the tour finished at : Hyatt House Shibuya entrance at 18:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 9 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 18:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hyatt House Shibuya, Sounzan Station, Owakudani Station, Togendai Station, Motohakone Port, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Open-Air Museum and Hyatt House Shibuya (Shibuya).
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?
Masa 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 Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.