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.
Tour Itinerary
- 8:30 Meet at Odawara Station
- 9:25 Board the mountain railway at Hakone-Yumoto Station
- 10:20 Board the cable car at Gora Station
- 10:40 Board the ropeway at Sounzan Station
- 10:50 Arrive at Owakudani
- 11:20 Board the ropeway (Owakudani Station)
- 11:50 Arrive at Gora Station
- 12:00 Lunch at a Chinese restaurant (near Chokoku-no-Mori Station)
- 12:50 Enter the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 14:10 Board the Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone Open-Air Museum)
- 15:15 Arrive at Odawara Station, disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Odawara Station at 8:30, the group explored Kanagawa until the tour ended at 15:15. The day ran to 6 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at a Chinese restaurant (near Chokoku-no-Mori Station) at 12:00.
The itinerary covered Board the mountain railway at Hakone-Yumoto Station at 9:25, Board the cable car at Gora Station at 10:20, Board the ropeway at Sounzan Station at 10:40, Owakudani at 10:50, Board the ropeway (Owakudani Station) at 11:20, Gora Station at 11:50, Enter the Hakone Open-Air Museum at 12:50 and Board the Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone Open-Air Museum) at 14:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Odawara to Owakudani by Free Pass (6,000JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 6,000JPY per person.
What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like During Golden Week? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. After I explained that heavy crowds were expected in the middle of the Golden Week holiday period, they made visits to Owakudani and the Hakone Open-Air Museum their top priorities. We started from Odawara Station at 8:30 and arrived at Owakudani before 11:00. During the transfer at Hakone-Yumoto Station, choosing to skip one mountain railway train in order to secure seats reduced stress and turned out to be a good decision. The guests were very satisfied with both Owakudani and the museum, and praised how efficiently we were able to move while long lines formed nearby. Although we visited fewer places than usual, I felt that overall the guests were very 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 | Odawara～Owakudani | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Odawara Station at 8:30, and the tour finished at Arrive at Odawara Station at 15:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 45 minutes in total, from 8:30 to 15:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Board the mountain railway at Hakone-Yumoto Station, Board the cable car at Gora Station, Board the ropeway at Sounzan Station, Owakudani, Board the ropeway (Owakudani Station), Gora Station, Enter the Hakone Open-Air Museum and Board the Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone Open-Air Museum).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 6,000JPY 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?
Leo 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.
Hello! I’m Ryosuke—please call me Leo.
I’d love to help you create great memories in Japan, especially around Tokyo and my hometown, Hiroshima.
I once traveled 44,000 km by bicycle across four continents (every continent except Australia!). There’s a chance I might even have passed through your hometown. Through that journey, I learned not only how wonderful travel can be, but also the things travelers should watch out for.
With that experience, I’m sure I can help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Let’s have a great time exploring Japan together!
Sep 23, 2026
MarouschkaV3
Go Leo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Leo is the best guide we have…
Sep 23, 2026
MarouschkaV3
Go Leo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Leo is the best guide we have had! Knows many good places, very flexible in changing routes, and knows how to adjust to our pacing. He is a very nice guy with a very calm presence.
Aug 16, 2026
El_Hombre_Aleman
Great day, thank you!
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
We had a fantastic day! Ryosuke contacted…
Aug 16, 2026
El_Hombre_Aleman
Great day, thank you!
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
We had a fantastic day! Ryosuke contacted is in advance to hear what we‘d like to See and do and matched his suggestions perfectly! We spend a lovely day exploring with the friendly, knowledgeable, and kind young man. We feel lucky to have him as our Guide!
Aug 6, 2026
antoinemC9893MM
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excursion d’une journée à Hakone
Nous sommes particulièrement ravis…
Aug 6, 2026
antoinemC9893MM
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excursion d’une journée à Hakone
Nous sommes particulièrement ravis de cette journée d’excursion autour d’Hakone et du Mont-Fuji avec notre guide Ryosuke. Le programme et le rythme étaient parfaitement adaptés à nos attentes, Ryosuke nous a permis de vivre une excellente expérience en famille, ses explications se sont révélées intéressantes et précises, le choix des lieux à visiter, des points de vue et les endroits où effectuer des pauses nous ont beaucoup plu !
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our…
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our guide, was very knowledgeable regarding the culture and history of each site we visited. And for lunch he found a delicious authentic Ramen counter restaurant. It was a really nice day with great memories.