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∶45meet 9∶01Gora Station cable car to
- Sounzan Station ropeway Owakudani 10∶05 ropeway Togendai 10∶45pirate ship11∶２５Moto-Hakone Hakone Shrine red torii gate 12∶00by bus to Hakone Checkpoint Ruins Maruyama Bussan Donburi Chaya lunch 13∶35Hakonemachi Port by bus to Kowakidani14∶13via train Chokoku-no-Mori Station explain how to get to the museum, how to return to the hotel, and tomorrow's route to Odawara Station, then14∶25disband
What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like for First-Time Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan. A central purpose of the day was to celebrate a school graduation milestone within the group. I created a celebration board, took photos, and gave the board to them as a gift. The group had a certain familiarity with Japan and showed great curiosity about the country, so during lunchtime I talked about shrines, temples, how they relate to our daily life, and the story of kanji characters. I think hearing these things from a guide gave a different flavor than hearing them from family. Everyone ordered the dishes they wanted for lunch and finished their meals completely. The Odawara-Hakone Yosegi marquetry woodwork was novel to them, and the presentation drew enthusiastic applause. They purchased several trick boxes. Since Mount Fuji was not visible today, I recommended that they try again by going up to Owakudani the following day when they would have time, and they were very enthusiastic about doing so.
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 Station～Odawara Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 0JPY | ||
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