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
- 8:30 Meet at Odawara Station
- 9:25 Board the mountain railway at Hakone-Yumoto Station
- 10:20 Board the cable car at Gora Station
- 10:40 Board the ropeway at Sounzan Station
- 10:50 Arrive at Owakudani
- 11:20 Board the ropeway (Owakudani Station)
- 11:50 Arrive at Gora Station
- 12:00 Lunch at a Chinese restaurant (near Chokoku-no-Mori Station)
- 12:50 Enter the Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 14:10 Board the Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone Open-Air Museum)
- 15:15 Arrive at Odawara Station, disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Board the mountain railway at Hakone-Yumoto Station at 9:25, Board the cable car at Gora Station at 10:20, Board the ropeway at Sounzan Station at 10:40, Owakudani at 10:50, Board the ropeway (Owakudani Station) at 11:20, Gora Station at 11:50, Enter the Hakone Open-Air Museum at 12:50, Board the Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone Open-Air Museum) at 14:10 and Odawara Station, disband at 15:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Odawara to Owakudani by Free Pass (6,000JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 6,000JPY per person.
What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like During Golden Week? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. After I explained that heavy crowds were expected in the middle of the Golden Week holiday period, they made visits to Owakudani and the Hakone Open-Air Museum their top priorities. We started from Odawara Station at 8:30 and arrived at Owakudani before 11:00. During the transfer at Hakone-Yumoto Station, choosing to skip one mountain railway train in order to secure seats reduced stress and turned out to be a good decision. The guests were very satisfied with both Owakudani and the museum, and praised how efficiently we were able to move while long lines formed nearby. Although we visited fewer places than usual, I felt that overall the guests were very pleased.
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～Owakudani | 6,000JPY |
| Total | 6,000JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Board the mountain railway at Hakone-Yumoto Station, Board the cable car at Gora Station, Board the ropeway at Sounzan Station, Owakudani, Board the ropeway (Owakudani Station), Gora Station, Enter the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Board the Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone Open-Air Museum) and Odawara Station, disband.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 6,000JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Leo is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kanagawa itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello! I’m Ryosuke—please call me Leo.
I’d love to help you create great memories in Japan, especially around Tokyo and my hometown, Hiroshima.
I once traveled 44,000 km by bicycle across four continents (every continent except Australia!). There’s a chance I might even have passed through your hometown. Through that journey, I learned not only how wonderful travel can be, but also the things travelers should watch out for.
With that experience, I’m sure I can help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Let’s have a great time exploring Japan together!
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our…
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our guide, was very knowledgeable regarding the culture and history of each site we visited. And for lunch he found a delicious authentic Ramen counter restaurant. It was a really nice day with great memories.
Jul 24, 2026
893cydneyh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best Tour Guide
We had an incredible 6-hour tour…
Jul 24, 2026
893cydneyh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best Tour Guide
We had an incredible 6-hour tour with Leo, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Tokyo! We were visiting Japan to celebrate my daughter’s birthday, and Leo made the day even more special from start to finish. From the moment he picked us up at our hotel until he dropped us off, everything was seamless, thoughtful, and perfectly planned.
Our first stop was a beautiful temple, where Leo explained the traditional hand-washing ritual before entering. We also tossed a coin to make a wish, and learning the meaning behind these customs made the experience so much more meaningful.
Afterward, Leo took us to an amazing sushi restaurant called Kura, where we had a delicious meal. We also visited the famous Shibuya Crossing, explored the Pokémon Center, and picked up some wonderful souvenirs. Traveling around Tokyo by train with Leo was an experience in itself—he made navigating the city so easy while teaching us so much about Japan, its history, traditions, and culture.
One of the sweetest surprises was that Leo gifted my daughter and me beautiful traditional Japanese fans to celebrate her birthday. It was such a thoughtful gesture that meant so much to us and is something we’ll always remember.
Leo was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, kind, and personable. He answered every question I had and shared fascinating insights throughout the day that we never would have learned on our own. His passion for Japan shines through in everything he does, and he made sure both my daughter and I had an unforgettable experience.
If you’re visiting Tokyo and looking for a guide who is professional, friendly, and genuinely cares about making your experience special, I cannot recommend Leo enough. We will absolutely recommend him to our friends and family, and the next time we’re in Japan, we won’t hesitate to book another tour with him. Thank you, Leo, for making my daughter’s birthday trip so memorable!
May 25, 2026
llindgren0604
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A seamless experience
Leo was a great tour guide. We got…
May 25, 2026
llindgren0604
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A seamless experience
Leo was a great tour guide. We got to do and see all of the major Hakone sites. It was a
perfect day.
May 21, 2026
lyndapI1304ZZ
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking guide in Hakone
Unfortunately the weather restricted some of our…
May 21, 2026
lyndapI1304ZZ
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking guide in Hakone
Unfortunately the weather restricted some of our options, but Leo adapted the tour and we
had a fantastic time.