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
- 11:00 Meet up at the hotel
- 11:15-11:55 Lunch
- 12:10 Bus departs from Hakone-Yumoto
- 13:20 Ropeway departs from Togendai
- 13:30-14:35 Owakudani
- 15:10-15:55 Gora Park
- 16:08 Depart from Gora
- 16:50 Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto, end
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Bus departs from Hakone-Yumoto at 12:10, Ropeway departs from Togendai at 13:20, Owakudani at 13:30, Gora Park at 15:10, Gora at 16:08 and Hakone-Yumoto, end at 16:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hakone-Yumoto to Togendai／Hakone Tozan Bus (1,330JPY); Sounzan to Koen-kami by train (250JPY); Gora to Hakone-Yumoto by train (460JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 2,040JPY per person.
What's a Private Weekend Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Since it was a weekend in Hakone and crowds were expected, the start time was moved up by 30 minutes. The guests were a group from North America. We had planned to have soba for lunch at Hatsuhana, but it was crowded, so we went to Tobiume instead. We arrived at the bus stop five minutes before departure, and boarding was cut off just as everyone managed to get on. The Susuki grass at Sengokuhara, which we had been looking forward to, was beautiful, and the guests took photographs. For the ropeway at Togendai, we had anticipated a 40-minute wait, but it only took a few minutes, so we could spend that extra time at Owakudani. After viewing the volcanic steam, we walked up to the Jizo statue, admired a bit of Mount Fuji appearing above the clouds, and then enjoyed the black eggs. At Gora Park, we viewed the rose garden and visited the tea house and greenhouse. We returned to Hakone-Yumoto by mountain railway, and the tour came to an end. This time, everything proceeded surprisingly close to the planned schedule.
A notable stop on the tour was Owakudani. Owakudani is a volcanic valley in Hakone created by an eruption of Mount Hakone thousands of years ago, known for its sulfurous fumes and bubbling hot springs. One of its most famous attractions is the black eggs, which are boiled in the naturally hot sulfur springs until their shells turn black, and are said to add years to one's life when eaten. On clear days, visitors can also enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the area.
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 | Other | Hakone-Yumoto～Togendai／Hakone Tozan Bus | 1,330JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Sounzan～Koen-kami | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Gora～Hakone-Yumoto | 460JPY |
| Total | 2,040JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Bus departs from Hakone-Yumoto, Ropeway departs from Togendai, Owakudani, Gora Park, Gora and Hakone-Yumoto, end.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,040JPY per person across 3 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?
Kazuo 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. My name is Kazuo Fukuda. I was born in 1958 and grew up in Okayama Prefecture, located in western Japan. I majored in physics at university and worked as an engineer in the manufacturing industry. During that time, I moved around various parts of Japan before settling in Tokyo in 2009. I personally love traveling and have a deep interest in art and history. I have traveled to Europe many times. In 2018, I left my company and started working as a tour guide. Tokyo developed into a modern city after being destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake and the air raids of World War II, but many historical aspects still thrive there. Recent pop culture is also fascinating. Discovering these cultural aspects will surely be an enjoyable experience for you. I would be happy to help you make such discoveries and understand their origins. If you tell me your favorite tourist destinations, I will create the perfect itinerary for you. And with heartfelt hospitality, I will make your tour the best it can be. I am looking forward to meeting you.