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
- 09:00 Meet up @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu
- 09:40 The Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 11:10 Owakudani
- 12:20 Lunch @ Togendai View Restaurant
- 13:15 Hakone Pirate Ship departs from Togendai Port
- 14:00 Arrive at Motohakone Port (via Hakonemachi Port)
- 14:15 Hakone Shrine
- 15:40 Disband @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:00 at @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu and ended at 15:40. The day ran to 6 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Togendai View Restaurant at 12:20.
Over the course of the day the route took in Hakone Open-Air Museum at 09:40, Owakudani at 11:10, Hakone Pirate Ship departs from Togendai Port at 13:15, Motohakone Port (via Hakonemachi Port) at 14:00 and Hakone Shrine at 14:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kowakien to Ninotaira-iriguchi by Free Pass (5,000JPY); Chokoku-no-mori Station to Gora Station by Free Pass (0JPY); Gora to Sounzan by Free Pass (0JPY); Sounzan to Owakudani by Free Pass (0JPY); Owakudani to Togendai by Free Pass (0JPY); Togendai to Motohakone by Free Pass (0JPY); Motohakone to Kowakien by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 5,000JPY per person.
What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, and they were the same guests from a Tokyo city tour earlier in November. After sightseeing in Hakone, they planned to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, and other destinations. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, they viewed the many sculptures and the Picasso Pavilion with great interest. At Owakudani, they were fascinated by the sight of white steam rising all across the valley, and they purchased black eggs and yosegi marquetry souvenirs. On the pirate ship on Lake Ashi, they enjoyed the beautiful scenery, including the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine. At Hakone Shrine, they enjoyed taking photos of the red torii gate by the lakeside. I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, so I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Kowakien～Ninotaira-iriguchi | 5,000JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Chokoku-no-mori Station～Gora Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Gora～Sounzan | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Sounzan～Owakudani | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Owakudani～Togendai | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Free Pass | Togendai～Motohakone | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Free Pass | Motohakone～Kowakien | 0JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu at 09:00, and the tour finished at @ Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu at 15:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 40 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 15:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hakone Open-Air Museum, Owakudani, Hakone Pirate Ship departs from Togendai Port, Motohakone Port (via Hakonemachi Port) and Hakone Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 5,000JPY per person across 7 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?
Seizo 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.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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