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
- 08:40 Walk from the hotel to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
- 09:25 Take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-Mori
- 10:10 Stroll around the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 11:16 Head to Sounzan via Gora
- Around 11:45 Hakone Ropeway
- Around 12:00 Arrive at Owakudani, sightseeing and lunch
- Around 13:10 Return to Sounzan by ropeway (the section toward Togendai was suspended due to a machine malfunction of the ropeway, with no prospect of recovery)
- Around 13:40 Take the cable car back up to Koenkami and enter the Hakone Museum of Art
- 14:53 Take the Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto
- 15:31 Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto
- Around 15:50 The group split into those returning to the hotel by taxi and those returning while shopping, so we gave advice to each and dispersed near the station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Walk from the hotel to Hakone-Yumoto Station. at 08:40, Take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-Mori at 09:25, Stroll around the Hakone Open-Air Museum at 10:10, Sounzan via Gora at 11:16, Take the Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto at 14:53 and Hakone-Yumoto at 15:31.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hakone-Yumoto to Gora by Free Pass (3,560JPY); Gora to Sounzan by Free Pass (0JPY); Sounzan to Owakudani by Free Pass (0JPY); Owakudani to Sounzan by Free Pass (0JPY); Sounzan to Koenkami by Free Pass (0JPY); Koenkami to Gora by Free Pass (0JPY); Gora to Hakone-Yumoto by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 3,560JPY per person.
The group of guests was traveling in Japan together as longtime friends. There was a warm and friendly atmosphere among them. Each person wanted to do different things, so it was a challenge to coordinate, but one of the guests took the lead and did a great job organizing everyone. The weather was poor (though it seems they had been able to see Mount Fuji the previous day), so we had to skip the latter half of the ropeway and the Lake Ashi cruise. However, the three places we did visit — the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Owakudani, and the Hakone Museum of Art — seemed to satisfy the guests. Some of the guests preferred vegetable-based meals, and since there was a vegetable curry available at the Owakudani restaurant, I recommended it, and they were pleased.
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 | Hakone-Yumoto～Gora | 3,560JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Gora～Sounzan | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Sounzan～Owakudani | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Owakudani～Sounzan | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Sounzan～Koenkami | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Free Pass | Koenkami～Gora | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Free Pass | Gora～Hakone-Yumoto | 0JPY |
| Total | 3,560JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Walk from the hotel to Hakone-Yumoto Station., Take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-Mori, Stroll around the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Sounzan via Gora, Take the Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto and Hakone-Yumoto.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 3,560JPY per person across 7 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?
Toshi 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.
I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no…
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no need for us to do all the advance planning.
We had Mr. Toshihisa as a guide for a day in Hakone. We might have been able to do the route ourselves but it was great to have a day with no planning, it was all done ahead of time by Toshi. We got an early start to avoid spending too much time in queues, which was great. Toshi is very knowledgeable and shared many explanations, stories and anecdotes with us, which was most appreciated. The Hakone FreePass made it very easy to navigate all of the various styles of transportation – highly recommended. Overall for us, this was a great experience.
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a…
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a beautiful tour of places I would not have found on
my own.
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi…
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi San was a very well educated and friendly guide…
he took us to all the most beautiful and scenic places.. he also was very helpful person and
made sure we had a good vegetarian lunch
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are…
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are all 70+ with 1 guest using a walker, and the guide was very
accommodating and flexible to our restrictions. Guide was knowledgeable and interesting.
Excellent English. Very good at helping us navigate the trains and subway.