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
- 08:30 Depart from Hotel.
- 08:41 Take the mountain train to Gora, then the cable car to Sounzan, followed by the ropeway to Owakudani.
- Around 10:00 Arrive at Owakudani, take a stroll.
- 10:40 Depart Owakudani by ropeway to Togendai.
- 11:25 Board the pirate ship, depart from Togendai Port.
- 11:50 Arrive at Hakonemachi Port, visit the Maruyama Shop for parquet woodwork, then head to Hakone Checkpoint.
- 12:20 Leave the checkpoint and head to Hakone Onshi Park.
- 13:10 From Onshi Park, pass through the old road cedar avenue to Moto-Hakone.
- 13:00 Lunch at Hakone Bakery.
- Around 13:45 Head to Hakone Shrine.
- Around 15:00 After visiting the shrine, return to Moto-Hakone.
- Around 15:45 Take the bus from Moto-Hakone Port to Hakone-Yumoto.
- Around 16:15 Arrive at Yumoto Station and disband.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The weather was hazy throughout the day, and Mount Fuji occasionally became hidden from view, but for the most part we could see it clearly all the way to the summit, so the guests were very satisfied. Thanks to starting a little earlier, we were able to move around smoothly without the crowds and long queues at the ropeway that I had been worried about. At Owakudani, the guests enjoyed the scenery as well as the black eggs and the black soft-serve ice cream. At the Hakone Checkpoint, the guests listened to my explanations with great interest. At Onshi Park, some cherry blossoms still remained, so this too was enjoyed. The guests also visited Hakone Shrine (and the Kuzuryu Shrine annex) with evident interest. In the end, the guests told me they had a very enjoyable and satisfying day.
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 | Hakone-Yumoto～Gora | 460JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Gora～Sounzan | 430JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Sounzan～Togendai | 2,000JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Togendai Port～Hakonemachi Port | 1,700JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Moto-Hakone Port／Hakone Tozan Bus～Hakone-Yumoto Station／Hakone Tozan Bus | 1,160JPY |
| Total | 5,750JPY | ||
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.