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
- 12:05 (Since the Komagatake Ropeway was suspended due to strong winds) We headed from Hakoneen to Owakudani by bus. (The meeting place was the Hotel.)
- 12:50 Due to traffic congestion, it took twice as long to arrive at Owakudani. The winds at Owakudani were even stronger.
- 13:44 (Since the Hakone Ropeway was also suspended due to strong winds) We took a bus to Kojiri.
- 14:15 When we descended to Lake Ashi, the wind was not that strong, and thinking that the pirate ship surely wouldn't be suspended, we walked to Togendai only to find that the pirate ship was also suspended. It also turned out that although the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise was operating a round trip from Motohakone Port, it did not come as far as Kojiri.
- 14:30 We headed to Hakone Shrine by taxi.
- 14:50 Arrived at Hakone Shrine and worshipped.
- 15:40 After worshipping, we walked to Motohakone, and after arriving we took a break at a cafe with coffee and sweet bread.
- 16:40 We walked along the old Cedar Avenue highway toward Hakone Onshi Park.
- 17:00 Arrived at Onshi Park and strolled around.
- 18:00 We left Onshi Park and returned to Motohakone.
- 18:30 We guided the guests to the Hotel shuttle stop and dispersed.
Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like When the Ropeway Is Closed? A Licensed Guide's Report
When the ropeway and the pirate ship cruise that had originally been planned were suspended due to strong winds, it took some effort to adjust the itinerary. However, the guests did not seem particularly disappointed, and they told me they were satisfied because they were able to see a beautiful Mount Fuji, which had been their main goal.
The guests were a group of three. Some of them could hardly speak English, so at times another guest interpreted for them (from English into Spanish).
At Owakudani, perhaps because the scenery was so unusual, the guests took many photos even in the strong wind. At Hakone Shrine, they bought ema votive tablets, wrote their wishes, and hung them up. At Onshi Park, the cherry blossoms happened to be at their best, and they enjoyed this as well.
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 | Bus | Hakoneen / Izuhakone Bus～Owakudani / Izuhakone Bus | 660JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Owakudani / Izuhakone Bus～Kojiri / Izuhakone Bus | 380JPY |
| Total | 1,040JPY | ||
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.