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
- 8:40 Meet 8:59 Take Izuhakone Bus to Sounzan (outside Hakone Free Pass) By ropeway to Owakudani 10:10 From Owakudani by ropeway to Togendai 10:45 By pirate ship to Moto-Hakone 11:25 11:30 Hotel de Yama shuttle bus to Tsutsuji-en (Azalea Garden) 12:30 By bus to Moto-Hakone b Get off 12:45 Hakone Checkpoint Lunch at Donburi Chaya Visit Maruyama Bussan Checkpoint entrance Commemorative photo 14:15 From Hakonemachi Port by bus, passengers get off in front of Hotel 14:55 Dismiss
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, Lake Ashi, and Mount Fuji
This was the final sightseeing destination of the group's trip to Japan. Hoping to make their last day memorable, I was pleased that Mount Fuji greeted us at Owakudani, and the azalea garden of a lakeside hotel welcomed us with its finest colors. Mount Fuji even peeked out a little, keeping up Hakone's reputation. The fresh greenery had come in, and the guests said it looked just like their home region, so they thoroughly enjoyed the scenery from aboard the pirate ship on Lake Ashi. The guests were not familiar with the trick boxes (himitsu-bako) from a local shop, so it made for a perfect introduction and they enjoyed the presentation. We spent an enjoyable time together, including a soba lunch full of laughter and cheerful conversation among the group. To celebrate a happy occasion for the guests, we marked it with our usual celebration board.
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 | In front of hotel／Izuhakone Bus～Sounzan Station Entrance／Izuhakone Bus | 410JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Odawara Station～Odawara Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 410JPY | ||
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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Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…
Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide. He answered any question we asked. He was well organised in dealing with our preferences and was able to taylor our itinerary to our interests. Overall a very enjoyable day. Would definitely recommend.
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro.…
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro. He gave us very comprehensive tour of Hakone. Did great explanation of history and explained a lot about culture of Japan. Very comprehensive.
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