Hakone is a popular destination located 60 miles or 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo and Yokohama, making it the perfect spot for a day trip. This beautiful town is known for its forested steep mountains, gorges, volcanic activities, and a stunning crater lake.
If the weather permits, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of Mt. Fuji.
The tour presented here is an example itinerary that can be customized according to your requirements.
At Odakyu Hakone-Yumoto Station, JR Odawara Station, or your hotel in Hakone (meeting time is around 9:30)
Visit Onshi-Hakone Park; weather permitting, we can see Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi
Have lunch at a restaurant beside the lake
Board a Pirate Ship and enjoy cruising on Lake Ashi
We'll enjoy wonderful views during a 15-minute ride on the ropeway.
Arrive at Owakudani Valley and see outstanding scenes of the volcanic activity
Weather permitting, we can see Mt. Fuji from here.
Enjoy appreciating pretty sculptures and nature while walking on the grounds.
At Odakyu Hakone-Yumoto Station, JR Odawara Station, or your hotel in Hakone (ending time is around 17:30)
We'll follow Hakone's golden route and visit two major sightseeing spots – Lake Ashi and Owakudani (Great Boiling Valley), for a day trip.
Weather permitting, we'll enjoy magnificent views of Mt. Fuji from those areas. Even if we can not see Mt. Fuji, we will enjoy grand views of nature.
We can enjoy cruising on Lake Ashi by a Pirate Ship and through the sky by a ropeway (cable car), feeling the power of volcanic activities at Owakudani valley.
Hakone is also famous for its excellent hot springs. We can soak away our worries and fatigue by immersing ourselves in a hot-spring bath.
This tour presents an example itinerary for you. However, I can re-arrange it according to your requests. If you have any requests, please let me know in advance.
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.
guide fee, hotel pick-up in Hakone
transportation fare (you and guide), admission fee, meals
I can guide you in Kagawa including Naoshima and the other venues of Setouchi Triennale.
If you would be interested in being guided by me in those places, please contact me to confirm my availability in advance.
This tour is a walking tour, so please wear comfortable shoes.
We may have to change the itinerary depending on the weather and traffic conditions.
Although the cost varies according to our itinerary, a typical cost is approximately 10,500 JPY per adult person.
- transportation fare: 5,000 JPY (Odakyu Hakone Freepass: including 8 types of transportation in Hakone)
- lunch: Approx. 3,000 JPY
- Admission: 2,500 JPY
It's about one and a half hours by a train, although varying, depending on a meeting place.
From Tokyo, I recommend using Odakyu Romancecar or JR Shinkansen.
For example:
- Shinjuku Sta. to Hakone-Yumoto Sta.: Approx. 85min. by Odakyu Romancecar
- Tokyo Sta. to Hakone-Yumoto Sta. (via Odawara Sta.): Approx. 60min. by JR Shinkansen and Hakone Tozan Train
Yes, I can meet you at the hotel and shorten the tour duration according to your request.
In this case, please contact me before booking. I'll offer you a customized tour with the duration reduced.
Don't worry, I'll show you the etiquette at an onsen facility.
Onsen facilities are basically communal bathing places. There are three points to remember when bathing in an onsen facility.
1. Take all your clothes off before entering bathing area. Wearing a swim suit isn't allowed.
2. Before you get into a bath tub, wash your body at washing space.
3. Don't put your towel into a bath tub in terms of public hygiene.
Although, most of the onsen facilities don't accept people bearing a tattoo, there are several facilities tolerant of a tattoo.
Using a private bath might be a good option.
If you have any anxieties about enjoying onsen, please let me know in advance.
This was our first time in Hakone. The scenery in Hakone was great and beautiful. Although its a pity that we didn’t manage to do the cruise and ropeway due to strong wind, we still get to have a great view over Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji from Onshi-Hakone Park. We also walked over old imperial roads, visited a replica of a samurai checkpoint, a traditional wood processing. My family was impressed with the craving & the various steps combinations. We also visited the shrine and had to wait a long time to take photos at the famous spot. Aki is professional, patient! He waited together with us, helped us take photos. I have yet to experience a guide that stay and queue with their customers. Lastly, Aki bought us to a traditional tea house. It was a new experience for us. The rice tea was special, ‘creamy’ and has unique taste. Nice!! Thank you very much for a great day, Aki-san. Our family enjoyed the day trip.
Dear Jesslyn, Thank you so much for your fantastic review and kind words!! It was a pleasure to have your family as my guests and to share the beauty of Hakone's nature and culture. I am thrilled you enjoyed the stunning view of Mt. Fuji, the local wooden craft, and the specialty drink, Amasake. I had a wonderful time with your family, too. Thanks for coming to Hakone and having me as your guide! With sincere appreciation, Aki
I had an absolutely fantastic time under the guidance of Aki-san, I wasn't completely sure where I wanted to go, so he took me around to lots of wonderful places, and took several pictures for me! He was tremendously helpful, and patient, and has given me many ideas about what I can do and where I'd like to see. He listened to my requests on the fly and was able to offer advice and take me to many places that had exactly what I was looking for. I can't wait for the next tour! ありがとうございました!
Dear Andrew-san, Thank you so much for giving me such an excellent rating and wonderful words! It was my pleasure to have guided you. I'm very happy you enjoyed touring in Tokyo. I had a great time with you, too! Thanks for having me as your guide. With sincere appreciation, Aki とてもたのしかったです！ありがとうございました。
This is our first trip to Japan. Honestly, I was bit apprehensive, not knowing the language, big city, etc. However, we couldn't have done better. Aki was the key to a fabulous time. He gave us a good overview the city and in instances he went above and beyond to help us out or direct us to the right sources. We consider himour friend and highly recommend him to anyone visiting Tokyo.
Dear Sami, I am grateful for your fantastic rating and kind review! It means a lot to me, and I'm so glad you had a great time in Tokyo. It was my pleasure to have guided you. Thanks for choosing me as your guide! With sincere appreciation, Aki
Great trip to Hakone.. Mr Aki made it very special for us. He was so accommodative, very polite and a fine gentleman. He was able understand what we wanted and provide the same. He was very patient and took us on a round trip giving us different experience in all public transport system.. overall, it was an amazing and a memorable Hakone trip for us.. Thank you Mr.Aki. Truly appreciate your support.
Dear Henry, Thank you so much for your excellent review and kind words! I am very glad to hear that you enjoyed the day in Hakone. I had a great time with you too! It was a great pleasure to have guided you. Thanks for having me as your guide in Hakone! With sincere appreciation, Aki