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

  • 10:00 Meet at Gora
  • 10:00-10:45. Purchase tickets at Gora, take the cable car to Owakudani
  • 10:45-11:40. Sightseeing and shopping at Owakudani
  • 12:00-12:40. Lake Ashi cruise, to Moto-Hakone
  • 13:00-13:50. Lunch
  • 13:50-14:40. From Moto-Hakone to the Hakone Open-Air Museum
  • 14:50-15:45. Sightseeing at the Hakone Open-Air Museum
  • 15:45-16:00. From the Hakone Open-Air Museum to Gora

What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America, traveling in Japan while their family stayed home this time. One of the guests was very curious, and it was memorable how they explored the Hakone Open-Air Museum along an unusual route rather than the standard course. The guests also seemed to love nature, pointing their camera even at the wild grasses along the roadside. For lunch we had soba noodles, and the guests appeared quite accustomed to Japanese food; the restaurant was crowded, so I suggested a cafeteria, but they patiently waited and we went into the soba restaurant. Since they had already been sightseeing in Kyoto, and because they preferred nature, we skipped Hakone Shrine and headed straight to the Open-Air Museum.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassGora~Kowakudani5,000JPY
Total5,000JPY

Thank you for your entry in this tour. Nice to meet you in this mail.
Your tour guide Kappa is my nickname. Kappa is a traditional, imaginary creature who came into being in Japan over 300 years ago. She is good at swimming, like me, for I like swimming. I would like to make our tour operated smoothly as Kappa does when she swims in the river or pond. It is my pleasure to introduce many aspects in our tour, especially cooking, for it is my hobby and I went to the professional cooking and SAKE school, respectively. If you have any questions or requests about Japanese cooking, of course our tour, I am very delighted to answer to you anytime!

Jul 30, 2025
Michael_R
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Kappa A+ Guide!
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Kappa is a wonderful tour guide
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