One-Day Hakone Nature and History Expedition (Owakudani, Boat Cruise on Lake Ashi, Hakone Sekisho)
Feel the atmosphere of Hakone volcano, and enjoy the beautiful view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi!
Owakudani and Lake Ashi were made by the volcanic activity of Mt. Hakone about 3,000 years ago. At Osakudani you can see the sulfur vapor blowing up and beautiful Mt. Fuji on sunny days.
From a boat on Lake Ashi you can enjoy beautiful scenery every season.
Hakone sekisho, which was built about 400 years ago, was a facility to investigate travelers. You can learn more about it in Hakone.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel
- I will meet you near the reception in the lobby of your hotel.
Your Hotel
Pick up at your hotel.
Shinjuku Station
Go to Hakone Owakudani by Odakyu Express "Romance Car", local train, cable car, and ropeway.
Owakudani
Owakudani is an explosion trail of a crater made by the last explosion of Hakone volcano about 3,000 years ago. White smoke has been laid on the desolate ground, and you can still feel the power of volcanic activity.
At Owakudani you can eat a black egg. It is said that if you eat one black egg, you will have a life expectancy of 7 years.
Enjoy the spectacular view of the sulfur smoke rising at Owakudani.
Boat Cruise on Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi is a long narrow lake with a circumference of about 19km. It was formed about 3,000 years ago in the Hakone volcano's caldera. From the boat you can enjoy beautiful scenery every season.
Hakone Sekisho
Tokugawa Shogunate placed 53 sekisho (facility to investigate travelers) on major roads across the nation to defend Edo (current Tokyo). Hakone Sekisho (Hakone Checkpoint) was one of the largest checkpoints among them. Hakone Sekisho was placed on the current location in 1619, at the beginning of Edo period. 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.
Hakone Sekisho
Go back to Tokyo by bus and Odakyu Express "Romance Car".
Your Hotel
End of the tour.
Ending Point
Your hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
1. Guide fee
2. Hotel pick-up
* Hotel pick-up is included if your hotel is located near a station on JR Yamanote Line or inside the circle of JR Yamanote Line. If extra transportation fees are necessary for hotel pick-up, I will let you know.
1. Transportation fee (you and your guide):About 8,000 yen/adult including the express fee of Romance Car.
2. Admission fee (you and your guide):About 500 yen/adult.
3. Lunch (you and your guide)
4. Beverages (beer, juice, etc.)
Tour Important Information
(1) It takes about 3 hours from Shinjuku Station to Owakudani by Odakyu express train, Hakone local train. cable car, and ropeway.
(2) This tour is also available for groups of 6 or more. Please inquire about guide fees for groups of 6 or more.
*** FAQ ***
(Q) Can I use the Shinkansen bullet train to go to Hakone?
(A) Yes, you can. In this case I can meet you at your hotel or JR Odawara Station according to your request.
(Q) Can I add or delete places to visit?
(A) Yes, you can add or delete places to visit. If you have places you would like to visit, please let me know. I will customize the tour.
My recommendations are as follows:
(1) Hakone Shrine
Established in the middle of the 8th century, this shrine was dedicated to all the local gods of eastern Japan, and is believed to have the benefits of road safety, wish fulfillment, and warding off evil.
You can get to the red torii gate, Heiwa-no-torii, at the lakeshore of Ashi. This place is a good photo spot for travelers.
(2) Hakone Open-Air Museum
The Hakone Open-Air Museum opened in scenic Hakone in 1969. It is the first museum in Japan devoted to sculpture in the open-air. Situated on roughly 70,000 square meters of parkland, it harmonizes with the Hakone mountains and offers different scenery with each season.
Important message from the supplier
Nothing speceial.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Hiroshi S.
Hello, I'm Hiroshi.
I am a National Government Licensed Tour Guide Interpreter in English. I received a master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the U.S.
I have lived in a city of Fujisawa, which is a city next to Kamakura, for more than 20 years, and also used to live in Kamakura for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited almost all the temples and shrines in Kamakura. I am sure I can offer you a pleasant trip to the historical city!
In addition to Kamakura, I can also guide you around Tokyo, Yokohama, Hakone, Nikko, etc. because I have visited many places in Kanto area. For example, in Tokyo I can show you around many sightseeing spots, such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Skytree, etc.
I like baseball and used to play baseball, but now enjoy watching professional baseball games. And I like watching Rakugo, Japanese traditional story-telling performance.
Of course, I also like travelling very much, and am interested in Japanese culture and history. So I would like to show you Japanese tradition and culture.
Let’s enjoy a trip in Japan together.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
Reviews
Bernd W.
“A lovely day ”
It was a lovely tour. We saw a lot. Hiroshi is a good guide. Unfortunately, there was also a very unpleasant incident. Hiroshi had bought the wrong tickets for the Skytree for us in advance. As it took nearly an hour to sort it out, we were unable to go up the Skytree. That is extremely frustrating. As a result, we had no other way of visiting the tower. It would have been the highlight of our trip. Very sad.
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for the review. I am very sorry that you were not able to go up the Skytree. But I did not buy the wrong tickets. I purchased the tickets for handicapped persons at your request, but I learned for the first time that day from a Skytree staff member that tickets for handicapped persons would no longer be sold to foreigners starting in April. Furthermore, there were no descriptions about tickets for foreigners. I purchased the tickets in March, so I explained this to the Skytree staff, had the tickets issued, and gave them to you. I left after confirming that you had entered, but I later heard that you were told you couldn't enter. It's a shame I wasn't there to negotiate. While this was Skytree's fault, I also bear some responsibility. I apologize. I will take the utmost care to ensure this does not happen again. I hope you won't be discouraged by this and will come to Japan again.
Jeetandra T.
“Hiroshi is the guy for you!”
We booked a full-day private tour with Hiroshi S. on March 27 for our family of four (2 adults and 2 children, ages 12 & 15), and it was the absolute highlight of our time in Tokyo. From the very beginning, the communication and planning were seamless. Professional & Knowledgeable Hiroshi was waiting for us exactly on time at the Meiji Jingu Shrine parking lot as promised. Throughout the 10+ hour day, he was incredibly knowledgeable and informative, sharing deep insights into Japanese culture, religion, and family life that kept all of us—including our teens—thoroughly engaged. A Truly Customized Experience Hiroshi went above and beyond to make the day special for us: Shibuya: He was happy to take videos of our family crossing the famous Shibuya Scramble and even assisted us with shopping at the Nintendo Center in Shibuya PARCO. Cruising & Culture: He accompanied us on the Symphony Cruise, providing wonderful commentary on our surroundings. He also guided us expertly through the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, and Nakamise Street. Magical Evening: We visited the Tokyo Skytree for sunset and then had a breathtaking walk along the Meguro River to see the night cherry blossoms (Yozakura) The Grand Finale: We ended our epic day at the glowing Tokyo Tower. Flexible and Fair We actually ended up exceeding our scheduled time by about an hour, and Hiroshi was incredibly reasonable with the additional charges. His flexibility made the end of our long day stress-free. If you are visiting Tokyo and want a guide who is professional, informative, and truly cares about your experience, Hiroshi is the guy for you! We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a personalized Japanese adventure.
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for taking your time to write a review. I’m so glad you enjoyed our one-day tour of Tokyo. Meiji Shrine is a very peaceful place, even though it’s right in the middle of the city. Shibuya is close to Meiji Shrine, but it's a vibrant area for young people and is always bustling with energy. I’m sure you were surprised by the crowds at the Scramble Crossing. On the Symphony Cruise, we were able to enjoy views of Tokyo’s cityscape from the boat, including Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, etc. The nighttime cherry blossom viewing was also quite charming. If you have the chance to visit Japan again, let’s enjoy Japanese culture and customs together again. This time we were able to see the beautiful cherry blossoms, but next time, please come to see the beautiful autumn leaves. I look forward to seeing you again in Japan!
Delara M.
“Great Times”
We had a wonderful experience with our tour guide Hiroshi in Tokyo and Kawagoe. He was incredibly attentive, well‑organized, and thoughtful throughout the day. He kept us on schedule while still making sure we fully enjoyed each stop on our itinerary, which allowed us to see everything we had planned without ever feeling rushed. What truly stood out was how far above and beyond he went at the end of the tour - he personally escorted us all the way to the Shinkansen platform to ensure we boarded the correct train to Osaka on time. Knowing we wouldn’t miss our train gave us so much peace of mind. His time management, attention to detail, and genuine care for our experience made the entire journey smooth and stress‑free. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would highly recommend him to anyone visiting Tokyo or Kawagoe.
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for writing a review. I also had a great time with you. Kawagoe isn't too far from central Tokyo, but it's a place where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo period. Besides the Edo-era ambience, Kawagoe also boasts many delicious foods, and we enjoyed things like eel and sweets. In Tokyo, we visited Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, Tsukiji Market, and Asakusa. Meiji Shrine is very peaceful despite being in the city center. Shibuya, Tsukiji, and Asakusa were crowded, but I think you were able to enjoy both the quiet and bustling sides of Tokyo. Was the Shinkansen ride to Osaka comfortable? If you have the opportunity to come to Japan again, let's enjoy Japanese culture and food together!
$296/ per group
More tours by Hiroshi S.
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One-Day Historic Tokyo and Sky Adventure (Tsukiji, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Boat Cruise)
Enjoy shopping and spectacular view, and feel the atmosphere of Buddhism and Shinto! We will visit Tsukiji outer market and enjoy shopping and dining. We also visit Namiyoke Shrine and Tsukiji Honganji Temple, which are the heart of Tsukiji people. From Hinode pier near Tsukiji we will take a boat to Asakusa. You can enjoy the view of Tokyo from the river. In Asakusa we will visit Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, and Tokyo Skytree.
One-Day Historic Tokyo and Sky Adventure (Tsukiji, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Boat Cruise)
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One-Day Spiritual Highlights of Nikko (Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Taiyuin, Futarasan Shrine)
Feel the atmosphere of Tokugawa Shogunate at the world heritage site! Rinnoji was established by Saint Shodo in the 8th century, and the beautiful Taiyuin mausoleum is located in the precincts of Rinnoji. Toshogu was built in the 17th century to worship Tokugawa Ieyasu. You can see the beautiful carvings of Yomeimon Gate, three wise monkeys, etc. Futarasan Shrine is famous for the benefit of good marriage and inviting good luck. The beautiful Shinkyo Bridge is a property of Futarasan Shrine.
One-Day Spiritual Highlights of Nikko (Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Taiyuin, Futarasan Shrine)
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One-Day Ancient Wonders in Kamakura(Bamboo Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple)
Enjoy the historical city Kamakura and feel the old Japanese atmosphere of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrine! At Hokokuji Temple you can enjoy matcha tea while viewing a beautiful bamboo forest. Then we will visit Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu Shrine which was a shrine for samurai warriors and enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori shopping street near this shrine. After lunch we will visit Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple using Enoden local train.
One-Day Ancient Wonders in Kamakura(Bamboo Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple)
Half-Day Tokyo Highlights : Tsukiji Fish Market, Vibrant Harajuku, and Trendy Shibuya
Embark on an exciting half-day tour through Tokyo, starting with the culinary wonders of Tsukiji Market, moving to the vibrant fashion scene in Harajuku, and concluding in the energetic hub of Shibuya. This tour offers a diverse blend of traditional flavors, modern trends, and iconic Tokyo experiences, making it perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike.
Half-Day Tokyo Highlights : Tsukiji Fish Market, Vibrant Harajuku, and Trendy Shibuya
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Hakone
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A Pleasant Day at Hakone--Nature, History, Fine Art & more!
Hakone is a volcanic mountain and onsen hot spring resort about 1 hour from Tokyo, en route to Kyoto. It is efficient to travel around the Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, volcanic fumarole, museums and historical sites using a Hakone Free Pass or by a chartered car. If there is any particular place you wish to visit, please let your guide know your request!
A Pleasant Day at Hakone--Nature, History, Fine Art & more!
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Enjoy and experience magnificent views of the nature in Hakone!!!
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.
Enjoy and experience magnificent views of the nature in Hakone!!!
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Once-in-lifetime experience in Hakone
Hakone is the beautiful national park within one hour bullet train ride from Tokyo, one of the busiest city in the world. Along the golden route, we'll move with our pace enjoying views of Mt.Fuji and seasonable scenes of the nature. Additionally we'll customize our tour based on your preference such as 1)ART, 2)LIFE&CULTURE, 3)HISTORY, and 4)GOURMET.
Once-in-lifetime experience in Hakone
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Hakone entdecken mit Yuki
Hakone ist nur ein Paradies der heißen Quellen und Natur. Besonders beeindruckend sind die atemberaubende Aussicht auf den Fuji vom Ashi-See sowie die imposante vulkanische Landschaft des Ōwakudani. Selbst wenn Sie keine heißen Quellen mögen, können Sie diese in Fußbad-Cafés mit Fußbädern ganz entspannt genießen. Eine perfekte Kombination aus Sightseeing und Entspannung! Hakone ist eine Stadt, die man mit Romance Car (Zug) in 75 Minuten von Shinjuku (Tokio) aus erreichen kann.
Hakone entdecken mit Yuki
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