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
- 9:15 Meet @ Kowakidani Station
- 9:24 – 9:30 Kowakidani → Gora (travel by Hakone Tozan Line)
- 9:36 – 9:47 Gora → Sounzan (travel by Hakone Cable Car)
- 9:50 – 10:05 Sounzan → Owakudani (travel by Hakone Ropeway)
- 10:05 – 10:45 Stay at Owakudani (taking photos, black eggs, etc.)
- 10:45 – 11:15 Owakudani → Togendai Port (travel by Hakone Ropeway)
- 11:25 – 12:05 Togendai Port → Motohakone Port (travel by pirate ship)
- 12:10 – 12:25 Walk from Motohakone Port to Hakone Shrine
- 12:25 – 13:00 Visit Hakone Shrine, take photos, etc.
- 13:00 – 13:15 Walk from Hakone Shrine to Motohakone Port
- 13:15 – 14:00 Lunch @ Fukao Soba
- 14:18 – 14:33 Motohakone Port → Ninotaira Iriguchi (travel by Hakone Tozan Bus)
- 14:33 – 14:45 Walk from Ninotaira Iriguchi to the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 15:00 – 15:40 Stay at the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 15:45 Disband @ Hakone Open-Air Museum
What Is a Private Hakone Tour Like Before Heading to Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors currently based in Oceania. It was memorable how much they seemed to enjoy talking about a wide range of topics beyond travel itself. When we talked about Japanese Shinto, they shared that a very similar way of thinking exists where they are from, and when we discussed sake such as ginjo and daiginjo, they showed great interest because of their work in food production, mentioning that they have a similar concept in the lineup of products made from the wheat they grow themselves. Also, like the guests from the previous day, they were moving on to Kyoto the next day, so I sent them photos and videos explaining how to get from Kowakudani to Hakone-Yumoto, from Hakone-Yumoto to Odawara, and how to find the Shinkansen platform at Odawara, which they were very happy to receive.
This tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
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 | Train | Kowakidani Station～Gora Station | 160JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Gora Station～Sounzan Station | 430JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Sounzan Station～Togendai Port Station | 1,500JPY |
| Section 4 | Ferry | Togendai Port～Motohakone Port | 2,000JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Motohakone Port～Ninotaira Iriguchi | 650JPY |
| Total | 4,740JPY | ||
I registered as a national guide in February 2015 and began working as an interpreter guide in 2019. I have been guiding throughout Tokyo (I was born and raised in Setagaya and went to elementary and junior high school in Aoyama, Minato-ku. I am familiar with sightseeing spots and gourmet food in this area, including Shibuya), and I now live in Kanagawa (Yokohama where I have lived more than 30 years, and Kamakura, Odawara, Hakone)
I worked for the Japanese branch of an American advertising company for over 30 years and, thus, have deep knowledge of marketing and branding.
My hobbies are travel (domestic and international) and bicycling (I have participated in the Tour de Okinawa citizens’ race every year since 2017. I ride approx. 7,000 kilometers a year). When traveling in Japan, I enjoy traditional crafts, local products, food, and sake from each region. I am also active in a band as a third hobby, performing live once a year for ten years.
As a guide, I mainly guide small groups (about 4-5 people), where I can communicate more closely and politely with them, rather than large groups.
My activity aims to deepen the understanding of Japanese traditional culture and the Japanese people among foreign visitors and to make a small contribution to making Japan the number one country to revisit in their hearts.
May 31, 2026
Carol_S
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great way to start a trip
Hidecki reached out a couple of…
May 31, 2026
Carol_S
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great way to start a trip
Hidecki reached out a couple of days to ask what landmarks we wanted to see, and then
came up with a great itinerary. Hidecki was an amazing guide, he was brilliant in imparting
the history of the areas. Cannot thank him enough. This was a great way to start our trip.
May 7, 2026
Alain_V
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Belle visite
Merci beaucoup à notre guide Ideaki qui nous a permis…
May 7, 2026
Alain_V
Viator review: Yokohama 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Belle visite
Merci beaucoup à notre guide Ideaki qui nous a permis de découvrir Yokohama. Toujours
bien présent pour parfaire nos demandes.
素晴らしい訪問でした。
横浜を案内してくれたガイドのIdeakiさんには大変感謝しています。私たちの要望にしっかり応えてくれ、常にきめ細やかに対応してくれました。
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Julia_S
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Julia_S
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Excellent Guide made for an Excellent Tour
We enjoyed our tour because of the outstanding guide we had. Hide, our guide, contacted us in advance to determine what we wanted to see and do. Because we wanted a special lunch, he sent links for three restaurants that fit our criteria so we could select which would be best for us. He easily adjusted our itinerary if we wanted to spend a little more time somewhere or make a quick stop to buy a snack or souvenir. He gave great explanations of what sights we were visiting.
Mar 25, 2026
Jeff_M
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Short tour of a huge city
Hideiki obviously wanted to give us…
Mar 25, 2026
Jeff_M
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Short tour of a huge city
Hideiki obviously wanted to give us the best experience possible, asking many questions
about our interests and priorities.