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
- 9:00 Hotel meet, 9:22 by train from Ohiradai, Gora 10:03 by cable car to Souzan, ropeway, Owakudani, by ropeway to Togendai 12:00 pirate ship 12:40 disembark at Motohakone Port, after the Hakone Shrine red torii gate, by bus from Motohakone Port, get off at Hakone Checkpoint Ruins, after visiting and shopping at Maruyama Bussan, after lunch at Hakonemachi Port 14:30 by bus, get off at Ninotaira, on foot 15:10 Hakone Open-Air Museum, 16:40 by train from the Open-Air Museum, to Hakone-Yumoto, 17:15 disband at Hakone-Yumoto Station
Title: What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani and the Open-Air Museum
To avoid the summer crowds and to secure a view of Mount Fuji, the nearby Open-Air Museum was left for later, and reaching Owakudani was made the top priority. The view was not perfect, but fortunately Mount Fuji was visible. Ten minutes later it was hidden by clouds and could not be seen again for the rest of the day. It really is unpredictable. Compared with where they come from in North America, the scenery here is rich and varied, and both the ropeway and the pirate ship were enjoyed with great enthusiasm. The presentation at Maruyama was greatly enjoyed, and after taking video, shopping was also enjoyed. The guests were delighted. At the Open-Air Museum, the kids' corner was enjoyed. As with the previous day, the guests planned to have dinner out on their own in Hakone-Yumoto, so we parted ways at that station.
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