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 at Ryuguden. Take the Izuhakone bus to Sounzan. Take the ropeway from Sounzan to Owakudani. Take the ropeway to Togendai. 12:00 Pirate Ship, disembark at Hakonemachi Port.
  • Visit Maruyama Bussan. Lunch at Donburi Chaya. Take the bus to Motohakone Port. Sightseeing at Hakone Shrine. Walk to Ryuguden. 15:15 Dismiss

A Private Day Tour of Hakone from Tokyo: A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan from Oceania, and Hakone marked the conclusion of a journey of about two and a half weeks. They planned to return to Tokyo the following day and fly home on New Year's Day. As this was their second visit to Japan, they had chosen to focus on Japan's regional areas rather than the major cities this time. They had a strong interest in Japanese culture and history, and our conversation naturally kept turning in that direction. They also tried a variety of Japanese dishes during their trip, and at a donburi teahouse the guests ordered sake and beer, and I had a beer as well, so we all raised a toast together. In the afternoon, Mount Fuji fortunately revealed itself, and the [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) tour concluded with a pleasant 20-minute walk from Hakone Shrine back to the Hotel.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
Section 2BusRyuguden-mae~Sounzan760JPY
Total5,760JPY

I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
dummy

Jun 30, 2026
G2432BLtimothyc
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
6 hour tour of Hakone
we had a great experience with…

Jun 25, 2026
T7734IPbrandons
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in hakone
Niro was perfect for us. He was…

Jun 8, 2026
JasonB6980
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hiro-san knows Hakone!
Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…

Jun 7, 2026
Tourist31988989961
Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
Great Day and Tour
Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…