Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Hiro
December, 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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 11:00 Odawara Station Meet 11:30 Odawara Station by train to Hakone-Yumoto 12:12 by train to Kowakudani Station then by bus to Hakonemachi Port 13:50 Lunch at Hotoriya 14:30 by bus from Hakonemachi Port to Moto-Hakone Hakone Shrine 15:35 from Moto-Hakone to Hakone-Yumoto arrive 14:20 16:40 by train arrive Odawara 16:55
- Accompany to the Shinkansen ticket gate and part ways at 17:05 (Customers will go via Shinagawa to Shinjuku on the 17:15 Kodama)
What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like from Odawara? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a very cheerful and lively group visiting Japan for the first time. Although it was a short stay, they chose Hakone, which I greatly appreciated. They liked trains, so they rode the red mountain railway from Hakone-Yumoto and experienced the switchbacks. They were impressed by how clean Japan is, with no litter, and by how comfortable and hygienic the restrooms are. At a lakeside restaurant, the guests enjoyed grilled dango together. At Hakone Shrine, I explained in advance the connection between shrines, temples, and daily life in Japan, and they visited the red torii gate and the shrine itself, saying it was a good learning experience. As it was a 6-hour course starting from Odawara Station, the actual sightseeing time was limited, but they enjoyed it.
Regarding transportation costs, a receipt is required for amounts over 1,000 yen. The fare between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-Yumoto is 1,210 yen, but this was on a regular public bus with no receipt. Therefore, instead of Moto-Hakone to Hakone-Yumoto 1,210 + Hakone-Yumoto 360 = 1,570, I calculated and reported Moto-Hakone to Ohiradai 940 + Ohiradai to Odawara 510 = 1,450, which is 120 yen less.
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～Kowakudani | 710JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kowakudani Station / Hakone Tozan Bus～Hakonemachi Port / Hakone Tozan Bus | 820JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Hakonemachi Port / Hakone Tozan Bus～Moto-Hakone Port / Hakone Tozan Bus | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Moto-Hakone Port / Hakone Tozan Bus～Ohiradai / Hakone Tozan Bus | 940JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Ohiradai～Odawara | 510JPY |
| Total | 3,200JPY | ||
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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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
Jun 8, 2026
JasonB6980
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hiro-san knows Hakone!
Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…
Jun 8, 2026
JasonB6980
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hiro-san knows Hakone!
Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing us to the area of Hakone – leading us on a great tour of several requested destinations. We were lucky to see Mt. Fuji at the top of the ropeway, had a fun ride on a pirate ship on Lake Ashi, enjoyed a fantastic lunch at a local restaurant, and picked up some great souvenirs at a puzzle-box store which have wowed our family and friends. One of the great things that Hiro did throughout the day was to educate and amuse us with numerous pictures, stories, and lessons from his backpack. It felt like Hiro-san was part of our family that day and we can’t imagine having tried to experience Hakone’s great sites without him.
Jun 7, 2026
Tourist31988989961
Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
Great Day and Tour
Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…
Jun 7, 2026
Tourist31988989961
Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
Great Day and Tour
Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed visiting the beautiful gardens and shrines. Hiro was a great guide. Having him guide us made the day stress free and much more enjoyable. It was interesting learning about Japan and the culture. I would definitely recommend this tour and visiting Kamakura.