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 at the station 11:07 Depart Odawara Station on the Tozan Line To Hakone-Yumoto Station 11:36 Depart the same station To Chokoku-no-Mori Station The Hakone Open-Air Museum After sightseeing Via Chokoku-no-Mori From Gora Station take the 14:03 cable car to Sounzan By ropeway to Owakudani By ropeway to Togendai 15:30 Take the pirate ship Disembark at Hakone-machi Port 15:25 16:15 Take the bus from the same port
- Get off at Kamisokokura Station Accompany to the hotel 17:00 Disband
Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour from Kyoto Like on a Foggy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests came directly from Kyoto and must have been tired from sightseeing, but they kindly stayed cheerful and engaged throughout the tour. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, we were able to take some pleasant group photos, but the ropeway ride was entirely enveloped in thick fog, leaving almost zero visibility. At Owakudani, we could only faintly hear the sound of the volcanic vents. In addition, the pirate ship service to Moto-Hakone was suspended due to the dense fog, and only the route between Togendai and Hakonemachi Port was operating. I had the guests take photos of the red torii gate within the range visible from the ship. Since they mentioned they would be leaving the Hotel in the afternoon the next day, and the weather forecast looked better than today (expected to be an improvement over today's heavy fog), I suggested that, at their own discretion, they could visit Moto-Hakone in the morning by taking a bus from near the Hotel, and I also asked the Hotel staff to assist them accordingly.
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 | Odawara Station～Odawara Station | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
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Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…
Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide. He answered any question we asked. He was well organised in dealing with our preferences and was able to taylor our itinerary to our interests. Overall a very enjoyable day. Would definitely recommend.
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro.…
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro. He gave us very comprehensive tour of Hakone. Did great explanation of history and explained a lot about culture of Japan. Very comprehensive.
Jun 30, 2026
G2432BLtimothyc
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
6 hour tour of Hakone
we had a great experience with…
Jun 30, 2026
G2432BLtimothyc
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
6 hour tour of Hakone
we had a great experience with our guide, Hiro. Despite the weather not cooperating (rain),
Hiro was great about making adjustments so that we could see as much as Hakone as
possible.
Jun 25, 2026
T7734IPbrandons
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in hakone
Niro was perfect for us. He was…
Jun 25, 2026
T7734IPbrandons
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in hakone
Niro was perfect for us. He was flexible for our first time in Hakone and the kids enjoyed it