Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour — Guide Hiro
January, 2025
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
- 8:45 Hotel meetup (Ropeway and pirate ship operations suspended) By bus to Motohakone. Hakone Shrine. Lunch in Hakonemachi. Checkpoint ruins. Souvenir shops. Onshi Park. Old highway cedar avenue. Stroll. Since pirate ship operations had resumed, moved to Motohakone. 15:10 By pirate ship to Togendai Port. By bus via Sengokuro, got off at Tenyu. The person walked to the hotel on foot. Dismissed at 16:45
Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like When the Ropeway and Boats Are Suspended? A Licensed Guide's Report
Body: On this private Hakone tour with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), the ropeway between Sounzan and Owakudani was suspended for maintenance and replaced by a substitute bus, but the bus service was then halted due to strong winds, and the pirate ship sightseeing boats were also suspended. Although the guests were disappointed, we hoped for improving weather and first visited their requested destinations of Hakone Shrine, Onshi Park, and the cedar avenue. Fortunately, Mount Fuji revealed itself and the pirate ships resumed operation, which delighted the guests. However, another requested spot, Owakudani, remained closed, so we had to give it up. For the next day, the plan was to visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum and then take the 14:00 bullet train from Odawara to Kyoto. Accordingly, we discussed that route and the timing, and then parted ways at a bus stop near the hotel. It was a wonderful group, and we all enjoyed the whole day together.
Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Odawara Station～Odawara Station | 5,000JPY |
| Total | 5,000JPY | ||
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!!
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Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…
Aug 24, 2026
Deb_K
Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Well organised tour
Hiro is obviously an experienced guide. He answered any question we asked. He was well organised in dealing with our preferences and was able to taylor our itinerary to our interests. Overall a very enjoyable day. Would definitely recommend.
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro.…
Aug 6, 2026
Marcus_J
Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing day with…
Had an amazing day with Hiro. He gave us very comprehensive tour of Hakone. Did great explanation of history and explained a lot about culture of Japan. Very comprehensive.
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 30, 2026
G2432BLtimothyc
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
6 hour tour of Hakone
we had a great experience with our guide, Hiro. Despite the weather not cooperating (rain),
Hiro was great about making adjustments so that we could see as much as Hakone as
possible.
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 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 flexible for our first time in Hakone and the kids enjoyed it