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
- 09:30 Meet up @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu
- 10:00 Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 11:40 Owakudani
- 13:00 Lunch @ Togendai View Restaurant
- 13:55 Lake Ashi Pirate Ship
- 15:00 Hakone Shrine
- 16:10 Disband @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:30 at @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu and ended at 16:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Togendai View Restaurant at 13:00.
Over the course of the day the route took in Hakone Open-Air Museum at 10:00, Owakudani at 11:40, Lake Ashi Pirate Ship at 13:55 and Hakone Shrine at 15:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Chokoku-no-mori to Gora by Free Pass (5,000JPY); Gora to Sounzan by Free Pass (0JPY); Sounzan to Owakudani by Free Pass (0JPY); Owakudani to Togendai by Free Pass (0JPY); Togendai Port to Motohakone Port by Free Pass (0JPY); Motohakone to Yunessun by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 5,000JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Open-Air Museum, Owakudani, and Lake Ashi
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had already sightseen in Kyoto, Tokyo, and other places, and were scheduled to fly back to North America from Narita Airport the following day. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, they viewed the Picasso Museum and the stained-glass tower with great interest. At Owakudani, they were fascinated by the sight of the sulfur venting from the ground and enjoyed the black eggs. On the Lake Ashi pirate ship, they seemed deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery of Hakone. Today there were many clouds, and unfortunately we were not able to see Mount Fuji, but since I responded to the guests' wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Chokoku-no-mori～Gora | 5,000JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Gora～Sounzan | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Sounzan～Owakudani | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Owakudani～Togendai | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Togendai Port～Motohakone Port | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Free Pass | Motohakone～Yunessun | 0JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu at 09:30, and the tour finished at @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu at 16:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 40 minutes in total, from 09:30 to 16:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hakone Open-Air Museum, Owakudani, Lake Ashi Pirate Ship and Hakone Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 5,000JPY per person across 6 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?
Seizo 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.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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