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
- 8:00 Meet 8:45 Take the cable car from Gora to Sounzan Then take the ropeway to Owakudani Arrive 9:10 9:40 Take the ropeway to Togendai 10:10 Pirate ship 10:50 Disembark at Motohakone Port Lake Ashi shore Red torii gate Afterwards take the bus to 12:00 Hakone Checkpoint Ruins Maruyama Bussan Donburi Chaya lunch Then from 1:00 Hakone Checkpoint Ruins Stroll along the old Tokaido cedar avenue 14:00 Take the bus from in front of Hakone Branch Office Disembark at Yunessun Then 14:41 by bus to Gora Station 14:55 Disband
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani and Mount Fuji
The weather had been forecast as unfavorable for viewing Mount Fuji today, so a plan had been discussed to attempt the tour yesterday instead, but this could not be arranged. Hoping to somehow make it happen, we were rewarded when Owakudani greeted us with a magnificent view of Mount Fuji. The guests had an interest in history, so after covering the basics about emperors, shoguns, daimyo, and samurai, we headed to the Hakone Checkpoint site. They toured it with great enthusiasm. The old Tokaido cedar avenue, misty in the rainy weather, had a wonderfully dense and atmospheric feeling. At Maruyama they thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of yosegi marquetry woodwork and then purchased many items as souvenirs. For lunch, they said Japanese food of any kind was fine, and we enjoyed it together while chatting about kanji characters.
Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Odawara Station～Odawara Station | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
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