Custom Private Tour in Hakone with a Certified Local Guide

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Desolate mountainsides covered by plumes of smoke produce a distinct scene fitting the area’s former name of Hell Valley. Now, the Hakone Ropeway rises above Owakudani. The ropeway also offers many scenic spots. Travelling from Sounzan to Owakudani, passengers can see the bottom of the valley below, and when en route to Togendai, they can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi.

   1 h

2. At Lake Ashi, a serene lake surrounded by mountains, a pirate ship cruise runs between the three ports of Hakonemachi-ko, Motohakone-ko and Togendai-ko. Three ships with different designs sail on the lake, and the visitors can enjoy the grand view of the ships passing by each other.

   30 min

3. There is an avenue of 400 years old Ceder trees just in front of the Onshi Hakone Park. This is a part of the original Tokaido road, which was built by a Shogun in 17 century to connect Tokyo and Kyoto.

   20 min

4. This place was used as a summer retreat for the Japanese imperial families about 150 years ago. Now it's given to the public and you can enjoy a beautiful view of Mt.Fuji over the lake on a clear day. This place has also authentic and lovely gardens.

   1 h

5. Visit 1266 years old Hakone Shrine. You will learn the history of Shintoism in Japan and how it has affected the local culture and history. The iconic red "Torii" gate on the water is a highlight in this tour.

   1 h

6. The same family owns this tea house (not a tea room) for 400 years with 13 generations. This has been the place where travelers take a rest along their long journey. You can enjoy their special dring, Amazake, with the same recipe that hasn't changed from the very beggining.

   30 minAdmission included

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

Ratings come from 100 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Tour of Hakone with Explore Hakone

  We had a brillant day exploring all of Hakone with Hiroko our guide, even allowing for the weather we had on the day. Didn't expect to come across an extensive exhibit of the works of Picasso on the tour (in the Open Air Museum). Even better that our fabulous guide had a special connection with the home county of my wife in Ireland (Mayo).

  frankgL7043JZSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5The Highlight of Our Japan Trip!

  We had the absolute pleasure of booking a private tour with Koto in Hakone, and it was one of those rare experiences that still feels magical months later. Koto is warm, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable, with a gentle way of making everything feel personal and effortless. She tailored the day perfectly to our interests, keeping the pace comfortable and flexible so we could really soak it all in. The transportation was smooth and comfortable, and the itinerary struck the ideal balance—thoughtful stops at beautiful Shinto shrines, the impressive outdoor museum with its wonderful exhibits, and a lush, cool cedar forest that felt straight out of a storybook. The included lunch was fantastic too; we got to try so many new flavors and dishes we never would have found on our own. The best part was visiting Koto’s family tea house. Her brother welcomed us like visiting dignitaries and shared the powerful history of the 47 Ronin while we enjoyed their custom brew in this historic space that has been their family’s passion for many generations. It was deeply immersive and low-key at the same time—like we’d somehow ordered off the secret menu and gotten the ultimate behind-the-scenes VIP tour of Japan. My son, who had done extensive research on Japanese history, language, and culture, was completely in his element, and Koto’s encouragement meant the world to him. He was walking on air for weeks afterward. If you’re heading to Hakone (or anywhere nearby), do yourself a favor and book with Koto. This wasn’t just a tour—it was a transformative, heartfelt experience we’ll never forget. Thank you, Koto and family! ❤️

  RudderlessJune 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Wonderful time in Hakone

  Our guide Hiroko was great. Very attentive and full of knowledge and history. She paid attention to what we were trying to accomplish with our short stay in Hakone and got everything accomplished. Hakone was supposed to be a short stop on the way to Kyoto but the experience may end up being one of our more memorable experiences. We would hire her and the tour operator again!

  B3509HLgordonpMay 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great tour!!

  This tour company is very flexible to work with. Easy communication with the guides and information leading up to the tour. The tailored a tour to my families needs, and were able to adjust the plan as the weather changed. Hiroko was so patient with my kids as well. Would definitely recommend for your your needs in Hakone.

  92carlincMay 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Exquisite Hakone Experience

  I had a wonderful experience exploring and experiencing Hakone which is a beautiful area. This tour company was highly recommended and it exceeded my expectations. Shin, the owner of the company, planned the perfect experience for me. He has so much love for his hometown which made the tour even more special. I highly recommend Shin and his team for the perfect Hakone experience tailored to your needs as it was to mine.

  stevenpC5969TLMay 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5A perfect day!

  The weather was on on our side but our guide Mika made it a perfect day. Walking on the side of the lake Ashi with big cedar trees, visiting a shrine, we add a lovely time. Very informative

  KARINE BMarch 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Hakone

• Its from-price is 58% above the median of the 45 experiences we list in Hakone.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 45.

About Hakone

Hakone is a mountain resort south-west of Tokyo in Kanagawa, known for hot springs, Lake Ashi, volcanic Owakudani and views of Mount Fuji.

Hakone lies in the volcanic mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture, within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, south-west of Tokyo. Lake Ashi, a crater lake, is crossed by sightseeing boats, and a red torii gate of Hakone Shrine stands in the water at the shore. On clear days Mount Fuji rises beyond the lake.

Top-ranked sights in Hakone: Narukawa Art Museum, Pola Museum of Art.

See all 45 experiences in Hakone