Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Hiro
November, 2025
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
- 8:50 Meet 9:05 Depart Daigatake by bus 9:20 Togendai Ropeway to Owakudani Ropeway 10:20 Sounzan By cable car to Gora Further by train to the Hakone Open-Air Museum 10:50 12:01 From the Hakone Open-Air Museum by bus via Kowakudani to Hakone Checkpoint 12:40 Lunch at Donburi Chaya Maruyama Bussan Hakone Checkpoint Cedar Avenue Walk to Moto-Hakone Port 14:40 Pirate Ship 15:05 Togendai 15:10 Ride the bus together The guests get off at Daigatake To the hotel.
What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan from Europe as part of a longer trip, with Hakone as their final destination. They seemed to have picked up some Japanese here and there along the way; at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, when I said "persimmon" for the fruit, they replied with the Japanese word "kaki."
The guests were energetic and quick on their feet, and thoroughly enjoyed the nature of Hakone. At Maruyama Bussan, they bought a traditional puzzle box as a souvenir for their grandchild. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, there were many works by French artists, which delighted them. Since I had never looked at the collection carefully myself, it was the first time I realized just how many there were. At the donburi restaurant, soba noodles were being freshly made, and the guests eagerly took photographs. Finally, the view of Mount Fuji today was absolutely perfect — so much so that I wished I could have saved some of it for another day.
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 | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
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