Private Hakone Half-day Car Tour with Hotel Pickup - Local Guide
- 4–5 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Private tour
Highlights
This private tour is perfect for those who want to fully experience the charm of Hakone in just half a day. The greatest strength of this tour is its flexibility. Taking into account the season, weather, and your personal preferences, our experienced guide will propose a customized itinerary during a briefing at your pick-up point. For example, if you’d like to enjoy Hakone’s stunning views from various angles, you can choose a plan that includes Lake Ashi, the Hakone Ropeway, and Owakudani. If you’re interested in visiting power spots, a plan with Hakone Shrine is recommended. For those who enjoy drinks, we can also arrange a plan visiting Hakone’s wineries or craft breweries. Due to time constraints, we will visit selected recommended spots, and depending on your pick-up location, it may not be possible to cover all the places you wish to see. Typically, we visit 3–4 locations. Our guide will design and create the perfect tour tailored just for you!
Inclusions
What's included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking local guide/driver
- Parking Fees
What's not
- Any activity tickets (If you like to visit additional spot that requires a ticket)
Itinerary
Hakone Shrine: Hakone Shrine, situated on the shores of Lake Ashi, is a historically significant shrine known for its sacred atmosphere. The beautiful shrine buildings, harmoniously integrated with the surrounding nature, and the iconic vermillion torii gate seemingly floating on the lake's surface, captivate visitors. The reflection of the torii gate and Mount Fuji in the lake creates a breathtaking view. It is also a popular power spot, attracting many worshippers. From the shrine grounds, you can enjoy stunning views of Lake Ashi and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji. Admission fee: Free
Owakudani: Owakudani, accessible via the Hakone Ropeway, is an active volcanic valley still emitting steam. The strong smell of sulfur and the unique landscape offer a truly otherworldly experience. The black eggs, a local specialty, are said to add seven years to your life if you eat one. Geothermal hot springs also abound, providing a unique opportunity to experience the area's volcanic activity. The surrounding area offers numerous onsen (hot springs), foot baths, and souvenir shops. Admission fee: Ropeway fee separate
Lake Ashi: Lake Ashi, an iconic symbol of Hakone, is famed for its stunning views of Mount Fuji. A sightseeing cruise on the lake offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and the surrounding Hakone mountains. The lakeshore boasts well-maintained walking paths perfect for leisurely strolls. The ever-changing beauty of the lake throughout the seasons makes it a destination worth revisiting time and again. Lake Ashi is also surrounded by various tourist facilities, restaurants, and accommodations. Admission fee: Sightseeing boat fee separate
Ōkanzan Observatory: Ōkanzan Observatory offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Hakone's stunning scenery. A must-see for any visitor to Hakone, it provides breathtaking views of Lake Ashi, the Hakone mountains, and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji. Sunsets on a clear day are particularly unforgettable. Well-maintained walking paths surround the observatory, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the natural beauty. Admission fee: Free
Hakone Checkpoint: The Hakone Checkpoint, a significant point along the Tōkaidō Road during the Edo period, is a fascinating destination for history buffs. The meticulously recreated buildings and numerous historical artifacts offer a glimpse into the past. Imagine the bustling activity of the Edo period as you explore the checkpoint and learn about its history and culture. The surrounding area features historical buildings and well-maintained walking paths. Admission fee: Adults 410 yen, Children 210 yen
Hakone Old Tokaido Cedar Avenue: The cedar avenue lining the Hakone Old Tōkaidō Road is a beautiful landscape where history and nature intertwine. The towering cedar trees create a lush, tranquil space, offering a peaceful escape from the city's noise. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, absorbing the history and the serenity of nature. Admission fee: Free
Tamaduru Falls and Hiryu Falls: While Hakone has many waterfalls, Tamaduru Falls and Hiryu Falls are particularly renowned for their beauty. The powerful cascades generate abundant negative ions, offering a refreshing and revitalizing experience. The surrounding area is rich in natural beauty and features well-maintained walking paths for a relaxing experience. Admission fee: Free
Tokinosumika: Tokinosumika is a large resort facility nestled in the abundant natural beauty of Hakone. It offers a wide range of amenities, including hot springs and shops, providing a full day of enjoyment. Its highlight is the on-site brewery and winery, where you can savor carefully crafted beers and wines. Admission fee: Varies depending on the facility
Gora Brewery Public House: This brewery pub serves craft beers brewed using Hakone's rich natural ingredients. The pub boasts a cozy atmosphere, enhanced by the warmth of its wooden interior and stunning views from the windows. Enjoy a selection of both regular and seasonal beers. Admission fee: Free
Hatanaka Yosegi Workshop: This workshop continues the tradition of Hakone's Yosegi (wood marquetry), a craft passed down through generations. The intricate and beautiful Yosegi created by skilled artisans are truly captivating. Admission fee: Free
Lake Ashi Skyline: The Lake Ashi Skyline offers a scenic driving course that allows you to fully appreciate the majestic natural beauty of Hakone. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji, and the Hakone mountains from your car window. It's a truly unforgettable highlight of any Hakone trip, combining a refreshing drive with stunning scenery.
Senkokuhara Chōan-ji Temple is one of the most famous tourist spots in Hakone. Founded during the Kamakura period, this historic temple is known for its unique atmosphere, with over 200 statues of its followers standing within its grounds. The serene garden, surrounded by a cemetery and trees, offers a tranquil setting where you can experience the beauty of nature throughout the year. The temple is particularly beautiful during autumn, when the entire grounds are painted in vibrant shades of red and yellow, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Surrounded by majestic nature, this tranquil setting offers a chance to experience history and faith, making it a highly recommended tourist destination.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 597
- 42
- 32
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 101 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.
5Lovely day in Hakone
We booked this private half day tour so we could get around Hakone easily and see things a little off the beaten path. We came by public transportation the day before and had spent the previous day on our own, seeing a number of the things covered by the Hakone Free Pass. Our guide, Kumi, tailored our day specifically for us, to show us the things we hadn't seen. She was very responsive, inyeresting, kind, pleasant and fun. We saw a lot of beautiful scenery and number of things we would not have seen without her. Highly recommend.
5Tour of Hakone
Jon was an excellent guide, easy to be with and ensured we visited everything on our wish list ☺️…..
5Hakone half day with John.
John (Sunny Tours) our tour guide was exceptional , showed us around and even though the weather was horrible, he made sure our family was comfortable. Highly recommend John !!
5It's 100% Worth It!
This was an amazing half-day tour. We saw and experienced handful of things we probably wouldn't have found on our own--especially with the (very) limited time that we had. We're SO glad we booked this beautiful private tour. Worth it!!!
5Our guide John was very...
Our guide John was very friendly and accommodating. We had a lovely time navigating through Hakone, despite being in the middle of a typhoon! John also recommended an excellent restaurant for lunch (a spot for locals) and we had the best curry! It was the perfect way to spend a day in Hakone.
5Great (rainy) day tour!
It was a very rainy day in Hakone and this tour was a perfect way to easily see the best sports. Our tour guide John was excellent, such a great driver and knowledgeable. Turns out it was so rainy the buses were closed for the day. Grateful we had this tour booked and grateful to have had such a safe driver in the rain!
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Sunny tours Japan
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please let us know how many children under 5 years old will be joining the tour, as they will need to use a car seat.
How it compares in Hakone
- Its from-price is 49% above the median of the 45 experiences we list in Hakone.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 2 of 45.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
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.
Special offers in Hakone
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
