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
- 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Indigo
- 9:20 Board mountain train @ Gora Station
- 9:30 Transfer from mountain train to mountain bus @ Kowakidani
- 10:00 Arrive at Motohakone Port
- 10:15 Visit Hakone Shrine
- 10:45 Board mountain bus @ Motohakone
- 11:15 Transfer to mountain train @ Kowakidani
- 11:45 Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto
- 12:00 Lunch @ Hatsuhana Soba
- 13:00 Board mountain train @ Hakone-Yumoto Station
- 14:00 Stroll around Gora Park
- 14:30 Disband at Gora Station
What Is a Rainy-Day Private Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests visited from Europe. At the time we met in the morning, it was raining heavily, and the ropeway and pirate ship were both suspended. Although I suggested the Pola Museum of Art as an alternative, the guests mentioned they did not have a strong interest in art but still wanted to visit Hakone Shrine, so we made our way there by transferring between trains and buses. After the visit, we again transferred between buses and trains to reach Hakone-Yumoto. At Hatsuhana Soba, the guests were impressed not only by the soba itself but also by the atmosphere inside the restaurant. As they rarely have the chance to ride trains where they live, they were delighted by the mountain railway, so much so that even passing through the ticket gate was exciting for them. At the final stop, Gora Park, the roses were blooming beautifully, and they seemed to enjoy themselves at a leisurely pace while taking photos. Considering that their clothes had become soaked and one of the guests was having some trouble with a knee, we ended the tour a little earlier than planned, partly at the guests' own suggestion.
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 | Gora Station / Hakone Tozan Bus～Kowakidani | 160JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kowakidani Station / Hakone Tozan Bus～Motohakone / Izuhakone Bus | 740JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Motohakone Port / Hakone Tozan Bus～Kowakidani Station / Hakone Tozan Bus | 740JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Kowakidani Station / Hakone Tozan Bus～Hakone-Yumoto Station / Hakone Tozan Bus | 420JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Hakone-Yumoto Station / Hakone Tozan Bus～Gora Station / Hakone Tozan Bus | 460JPY |
| Total | 2,520JPY | ||
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.