Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for its famous hot springs, natural beauty of surrounding mountains and magnificent views across the Lake Ashinoko.
There are many places you can visit in Hakone, such as Gora Park, Owakudani Valley, Hakone Checkpoint and Hakone Shrine.
I will take you to elaborate on the most famous places in Hakone in this one-day tour.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Hakone Yumoto Station
Gora Station
We take Hakone Tozan Train at Hakone Yumoto Station to Gora Station, which is one of other Hakone hot spring resort.
In spring and autumn, to visit Gora Park is one of the best options for Hakone Sightseeing tour.
Owakudani Valley
We take Hakone Cable Car at the Gora Station to the Sounzan Station at first.
Then we take Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Station. On the ropeway, you will find a big contrast between beautiful green trees on the slope to the top and bald hell-like valley afterward.
Owakudani is the area around a crater created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone some 3000 years ago. Today, much of the area is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced.
Additionally, Owakudani has good views of Mount Fuji on clear days.
Pirate Cruise on the Lake Ashinoko
After watching the Owakudani, we take another ropeway down to Togendai Station where we take Pirate boat to cruise on the Lake Ashinoko to Hakone-machi-ko pier.
You can see Kuzuryu Shrine, Mt. Komagatake and Hakone Shrine on the boat. If weather is fine, there is a chance to Mt. Fuji as well.
Lunch
After getting off the pirate boat, we have a lunch at one of a Japanese restaurants in Hakone-machi area. If you prefer to a Western style meals, there are some.
Hakone Sekisho (Checkpoint) and Yosegi-zaiku
We proceed to Hakone Sekisho which can be translated to Checkpoint which is a facility for inspection. During the Tokugawa period (1603 - 1867), there were 53 Sekisho on major roads from Kyoto to Edo (current Tokyo). Hakone Sekisho was one of the largest and was thought to be important among them.
One of the main roles of Sekisho was to control 'incoming guns and outgoing women', which means to prevent weapons from being brought into Edo and wives and children of feudal lords from fleeing from Edo.
In 2007, the reconstruction of the Hakone Sekisho was completed and now appears true to its original form, including gates, fence, housing for officers and foot soldiers, a prison chamber and a lookout tower.
On the way to Hakone Sekisho, there are several Hakone Yosegi-zaiku shops on the street. Hakone Yosegi-zaiku is a traditional Japanese marquetry technique that originates from the Hakone region. This intricate woodcraft is well-known for its beautiful patterns and meticulous craftsmanship. One of the most famous products made using the Yosegi-zaiku technique is the "Secret Box", which is a puzzle box. It requires a specific sequence of movements to open, and these boxes have been cherished both as artistic pieces and fun puzzles.
Hakone Shrine
After visiting Hakone Sekisho and the Hakone Sekisho Shiryokan, which a small museum with various related exhibits and located near by, we take a bus to Hakone Shrine.
Hakone Shrine is a historic Shinto Shrine situated on the shores of Lake Ashinoko. It is set amid picturesque surroundings and is a popular spot for both tourists and locals. Its history stretches back over a thousand years, and it was once an important religious site for samurai.
One of the most iconic elements of the Hakone Shrine is its torii gates. The Peace Gate is the most notable torii gate. It stands on the shore of Lake Ashinoko and is a symbol of peace, as its name suggests. In order to take pictures under this torii gate, usually there are so many people waiting on the queue in front of the gate.
Motohakone Bus Stop
After coming back from Hakone Shrine to Motohakone Bus Stop, we take a bus to Hakone Yumoto Station.
Ending Point
Hakone Yumoto Station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
My guide fee is included.
Any transportation costs are not included.
I recommend you to buy Hakone Freepass for 2 days which cost you Yen 5,000 per person and you will be able to get on all the transportations on our tour.
Cost for lunch is not included either, but it will be less than Yen 2,000 per person.
If you would like to take Komagatake Ropeway, you should pay additionally Yen 1,800 per person.
* Transportation time will be deferent, depending on where you stay. After getting your hotel information, I will write a precise itinerary for your personal Hakone Tour.
* If the weather is not good and expected not to see Mt. Fuji, there some options of visiting such as Hakone Open Air Museum and Hakone Museum of Art.
* If visibility is good, one of the optional tours might be to take Komagatake Ropeway to Mt. Komagatake, where panoramic views of Lake Ashinoko and Mount Fuji can be enjoyed. A short walk away, on the actual peak of Komagatake, stands the Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya, the original Hakone Shrine.
* To visit the Hakone Detached Palace is another option. It was used to serve as a summer palace for the Imperial Family, but was later opened to the public. It is located at the southern shores of Lake Ashinoko on the peninsula between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi.
It might be better to book this Hakone Tour in spring and autumn because it is really seldom to see Mt. Fuji in the summer time and it is rather cold in Hakone area in winter.
Fees for transportation, admission and lunch for the group (including the guide) during the tour will be paid by the customer.
Hi! I am Macky.
I am glad to accompany you on your tour to Japan and show you the beauty and experiences Japan has to offer.
I am an English tour guide and I have guided many foreign visitors around Kamakura, Nikko, Mt. Fuji and Hakone. I love sightseeing myself and I enjoy food and wine…
I have been interested in intercultural exchanges and have visited many places locally and overseas alike. I have strong passion in Japanese history, culture, and geography. More than just simply showing you the stunning beauty of the places, I love to impart the cultural and historical value of each sightseeing spot.
The place I can guide tourists best is Kamakura which has major shrines and temples with historical and religious details. It can be fun not only to explore Kamakura from historical point of view but also experience various activities such as hiking, rental kimono-clad walking, and learning carving technique as well as soba noodle preparation.
I am flexible. My guide is unique and comprehensive. If you want to make the most out of your trip, I can show you around and make you experience Japan to the fullest. I can accommodate the tour according to your needs and preferences giving you a hassle-free, enjoyable and memorable tour. I can also take you to non tourism places such as various factory tours in Yokohama and Kawasaki City.
Mike K.
Explore Mount Fuji World Heritage area
Customized
“Group Outing to Mt Fuji”
Exceptional doesn’t describe our experience with Macky. When I booked our tour with him, he guided us through the process of booking Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo to Mishima (a group bucket list experience) and helped arrange a private bus for our group of 12. He met us at the station with a huge smile and provided not only great detail on the locations we visited, but also on the culture and customs of Japan. Macky was so great we joked that he had arranged for fantastic weather and an I encumbered view of the peak of Mt Fuji. The memories of the day will stay with us. Macky, Our group really wants you to know how much we loved our time with you and wish you the best! Mike
Oscar V.
Enjoy stunning view of Shizuoka including Mt. Fuji and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine!
Customized
“So much to see but we saw it all”
What a beautiful day with your guide Mackey. He is pleasant, accommodating, knowledgeable and successfully navigated the weather to ensure we had a great day. Highly recommend especially for cruise passengers.
“We did so much. ”
Macky was extremely accommodating. We switched some things up and he went with the flow. I had originally booked someone else who had a health issue. We found it hard to understand him and had to concentrate a lot to understand the information. But we packed it in! We saw a lot.
Macky H.
Thank very much for your review with your honest opinions. Your comments will help me improve my activities as a tour guide from now on. I really appreciate you for taking the time to write your review.
$260/ per group