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
- 1. 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora
- 2. 10:10 Transfer: Cable car, ropeway
- 3. 10:50 Stay @ Owakudani
- 4. 11:15 Transfer: Ropeway
- 5. 12:00 Stay @ Lake Ashi: Board the pirate ship
- 6. 12:50 Lunch @ Kinuhiki no Sato
- 7. 13:45 Stay @ Hakone Shrine
- 8. 14:55 Transfer: Bus
- 9. 15:20 Stay @ Hakone-Yumoto
- 10. 15:35 Disband @ Hakone-Yumoto
What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, Lake Ashi, and Hakone Shrine
At the request of the guests, who were hoping for the weather to improve, the start time was pushed back by one hour, and the tour began at 10:00. Although a light rain was still falling around 10:00, by the time we arrived at Owakudani around 11:00 it had almost stopped, and miraculously we were able to see Mount Fuji. I was able to take some lovely photos for the guests, and I felt that I had accomplished one of the most important missions of this tour. The guests had arrived in Hakone the previous day and had already visited Amazake Chaya and the Old Tokaido Road, but had not yet experienced the pirate ship cruise or a visit to Hakone Shrine, so I focused on guiding them along the standard golden course as usual. Perhaps because of the morning rain, the area in front of the Peace Torii seemed less crowded than usual. At Hakone-Yumoto, the guests said they wanted to continue shopping, so I explained where to catch the Hakone Tozan Railway and ended the tour slightly earlier than planned. The guests had purchased a Hakone Free Pass the previous day, and along the way we each used our own free pass to get around.
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 | Gora Station～Sounzan Station | 5,000JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Sounzan Station～Owakudani Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Owakudani Station～Togendai Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Togendai Port～Motohakone Port | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Motohakone～Hakone-Yumoto | 0JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful…
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful guide. So knowledgable and friendly. He turned a rainy day into a great experience! We had so much fun at the sites we visited and would highly recommend him to anyone who would like to have some help navigating all of the things you can do in Tokyo. If you are even considering a guide, book a tour with him right now!
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best…
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best tour and the best tour guide ever (thank you Sam!!)! I cannot recommend this for anyone who is in Tokyo. Today was our first full day in Tokyo and we started at 9am with Sam who kindly picked us up at our hotel and reviewed our customized plan for our day. It was more than perfect.
Sam – we simply cannot thank you enough for making today a special memory for us. We hope to see you again soon!!
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!! He communicated well throughout the process and was extremely personable. He went above and beyond to meet our every wish. This was a wonderful introduction to Tokyo!!
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable and energetic. It was a pleasure touring Tokyo with him.