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
- 10:38 Meeting place: Odawara Station
- 10:40 Depart Odawara Station
- (Minivan)
- 11:30 Arrive Sengokuhara
- Choan-ji Temple
- 12:00 Depart Sengokuhara
- (Minivan)
- 12:30 Arrive Sounzan Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- 12:45 Arrive Owakudani Station
- Owakudani Owakudani
- Black Egg Hall
- 13:40 Depart Owakudani Station
- (Hakone Ropeway)
- 14:00 Arrive Togendai Station
- 14:30 Depart Togendai Port
- (Hakone Pirate Ship)
- 15:15 Arrive Moto-Hakone Port
- Moto-Hakone Lunch: Bakery & Table
- 15:20 Depart Moto-Hakone Port Moto-Hakone
- (Minivan)
- 15:30 Arrive Hakone Shrine
- Hakone Shrine
- 16:00 Depart Moto-Hakone Shrine
- (Minivan)
- 16:40 Hotel (Gora Kadan)
- 16:40 Dispersal: Hotel (Gora Kadan)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Odawara Station at 10:40, Sengokuhara at 11:30, Sounzan Station at 12:30, Owakudani Station at 12:45, Togendai Station at 14:00, Togendai Port at 14:30, Moto-Hakone Port at 15:15, Moto-Hakone Port Moto-Hakone at 15:20, Hakone Shrine at 15:30, Moto-Hakone Shrine at 16:00, Hotel (Gora Kadan) at 16:40 and Dispersal: Hotel (Gora Kadan) at 16:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Sounzan to Togendai Port (2,000JPY); Togendai Port to Moto-Hakone Port (1,700JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 3,700JPY per person.
What's a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Lake Ashi, Owakudani, and Hakone Shrine
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time. This was part of a 14-day trip to Japan, and they had already visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. This morning they arrived in Odawara from the Kansai region.
Tomorrow they plan to take a day trip from Hakone to view Mount Fuji, stay one more night in Hakone, then return to Tokyo and fly home.
They told me, "We want to see Mount Fuji. We're also looking forward to the hot springs."
Although the weather was clear, clouds extended over Mount Fuji, so we were unable to see it.
We met at Odawara Station and first went by minivan to Choan-ji Temple. During the drive, I explained the history and characteristics of Hakone.
At Choan-ji, we took a leisurely stroll while viewing the stone statues scattered across the mountain slope. There were questions such as "What is the difference between Buddhism and Shinto?", "What do the Buddhist statues mean?", and "About the graves."
From there, we took the minivan to Sounzan, and then the ropeway to Owakudani. I explained "the formation of Hakone," "its history as a hot spring and summer retreat area," and "an overview and history of Owakudani." There were questions such as "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?" and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano? When did it erupt?" They purchased and tasted the "black eggs."
We then took the ropeway to Togendai Port. After a short rest at the rest area, we boarded the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise. I explained "the history and current state of Lake Ashi." In a light drizzle and rather chilly air, we went up to the top observation deck.
We arrived at Moto-Hakone Port. At their request for lunch, we went to Bakery & Table.
After that, we went by minivan to Hakone Shrine. There were questions about "the history of Hakone Shrine" and "What is Shinto?"
They also commented, "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are clean. There's no litter on the ground," and "Hakone has so much greenery; it feels calming."
I saw them off by minivan to the Hotel, where the tour ended.
Click here for more details: Hakone in 1 Day by Private Car with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Sounzan～Togendai Port | 2,000JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Togendai Port～Moto-Hakone Port | 1,700JPY |
| Total | 3,700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Odawara Station, Sengokuhara, Sounzan Station, Owakudani Station, Togendai Station, Togendai Port, Moto-Hakone Port, Moto-Hakone Port Moto-Hakone, Hakone Shrine, Moto-Hakone Shrine, Hotel (Gora Kadan) and Dispersal: Hotel (Gora Kadan).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 3,700JPY per person across 2 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?
Masa 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.
Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.