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

  • 8:40 Meet at the hotel. 9:00 Take the hotel shuttle car to Hakone-Yumoto Station. 9:25 Take the Izuhakone bus to Sounzan. 10:10 Take the Hakone Ropeway from Sounzan to Togendai. 11:25 Take the pirate ship, 11:50 arrive at Hakonemachi Port. Maruyama Bussan, lunch at Donburi Chaya. 13:36 From the Checkpoint Ruins, take the bus and walk via Ninotaira. 14:20 The Hakone Open-Air Museum. 15:38 From Chokoku-no-Mori Station to Hakone-Yumoto. 16:20 Disband at Hakone-Yumoto. Guests take a taxi to the hotel.

What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, Lake Ashi, and the Open-Air Museum

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They were very relaxed and easygoing, and the whole day felt like a lighthearted, conversation-filled trip. Because of the risk of the ropeway being suspended due to lightning, I made Owakudani the top priority. As a result, the group was able to catch even a brief glimpse of the summit of Mount Fuji, which delighted them. Everyone enjoyed the pirate ship out on the deck of Lake Ashi, taking in the natural beauty they said could not be found back home. They were surprised by the traditional puzzle boxes at a local shop and did a great deal of shopping. At a rice-bowl restaurant, they enjoyed interacting with the staff so much that it was hard to bring the meal to a close. Despite being tired, the group walked energetically through the Hakone Open-Air Museum, taking photos at many spots.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
Total5,000JPY

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!!
dummy

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 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 8, 2026
JasonB6980
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hiro-san knows Hakone!
Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…

Jun 7, 2026
Tourist31988989961
Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
Great Day and Tour
Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…