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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:30 Meet at Hakone Nanase Lobby
- 9:50 The Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 11:15 Gora Park
- 12:30 Yamayaku (lunch)
- 13:30 Choanji Temple
- 15:05 Hakone Pirate Ship
- 16:30 Disband at Hakonemachi Port
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:30 at Hakone Nanase Lobby and ended at 16:30. The day ran to 7 hours from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in The Hakone Open-Air Museum at 9:50, Gora Park at 11:15, Yamayaku (lunch) at 12:30, Choanji Temple at 13:30 and Hakone Pirate Ship at 15:05.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Jakotsuno to Ninotaira Entrance by bus (230JPY); Gora to Myojindaira by bus (250JPY); Myojindaira to Sengoku by bus (370JPY); Sengoku to Togendai by bus (490JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 1,340JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
We were blessed with good weather and enjoyed a pleasant walk around Hakone. The guests were a group who had retired and were now enjoying traveling around the world. It was their second visit to Japan, their first in fifteen years. I had been told in advance that one of the guests had a fear of heights (and therefore could not ride the ropeway) and had difficulty walking, so I was a little concerned, but there were no problems with walking, and we completed nearly the entire itinerary as planned. Since the request was for a lunch featuring something that could only be eaten in Japan, I took them to a restaurant serving jinenjo (wild yam), and they seemed to enjoy it very much. In a previous guide training session held by [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), I had learned some useful tips, such as (1) that buses should be the basis for using public transportation in Hakone, and (2) that a guide can board the special cabin of the Hakone pirate ship for free by showing a tour conductor's certificate. I made full use of these this time. Thank you very much.
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 | Jakotsuno～Ninotaira Entrance | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Gora～Myojindaira | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Myojindaira～Sengoku | 370JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Sengoku～Togendai | 490JPY |
| Total | 1,340JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hakone Nanase Lobby at 9:30, and the tour finished at Hakonemachi Port at 16:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours in total, from 9:30 to 16:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Gora Park, Yamayaku (lunch), Choanji Temple and Hakone Pirate Ship.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,340JPY per person across 4 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?
Ichiro 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.
Having taught at a national university with many international students, I have experience in intercultural communications. I hope you can enjoy my talk on Japanese culture and history. I am a novice as a guide, but having traveled around the world, I think I know what foreign travelers expect of a tour guide. One of the most impressive tour guides I have met is a lady in Chennai who told me everything about the Indian culture and history – from Hindu gods to how the British brought ice from North America to Madras and kept it all through the summer for their cold drinks. I hope to become an impressive guide like her.
Oct 20, 2025
GlobeTrotting155867
Hakone tour
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ichiro was a fantastic guide who was very flexible…
Oct 20, 2025
GlobeTrotting155867
Hakone tour
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ichiro was a fantastic guide who was very flexible to ensure we had a bespoke tour. We
planned ahead and on the day it went very smoothly. Ichiro was very knowledgeable, kind
and looked after us well- we highly recommend him!
Mar 19, 2025
Kpldcols
Time well spent in Hakone
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide (Ichiro) was friendly, knowledgeable,…
Mar 19, 2025
Kpldcols
Time well spent in Hakone
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide (Ichiro) was friendly, knowledgeable, spoke perfect English, and was a pleasure to be with for six hours. Prior to our arrival in Japan, Ichiro contacted us and learned about our interests. He then tailored our tour accordingly. We highly recommend him as a guide in Hakone.