Hakone is one of the most popular resort towns in Japan. Especially for people in Tokyo, it is easy to access and a great place to spend the weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the workweek. You can enjoy the beautiful nature shaped by volcanic activities from ancient times.
*Please note that changes to the itinerary after booking are not encouraged, so please finalize the itinerary before making a reservation."
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- If you know how to come to Odakyu Shinjuku Station, we will meet there at 7:45.
Odakyu Shinjuku (Romance Car)
On weekdays, we will take 8:11 Romance car, and on weekends, we will take 8:00 Romance car to go to Hakone Yumoto Station (arriving at 9:53 on weekdays, and at 9:24 on weekends).
*The Odakyu Romance Car is very popular among tourists heading to Hakone, so tickets are often booked quickly once sales open one month before the travel date. If seats are fully booked, we will take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station, which costs 3,280 yen per person.
Hakone Tozan Railway and Hakone Cable Car
We will take Hakone Tozan Railway and Hakone Cable car to go to Sounzan where we will take Hakone Rope way. While riding on a mountain train traversing the steepest railway in Japan, we can enjoy beautiful views of the Hakone mountain area.
Hakone Ropeway from Sounzan to Ōwakudani, and then to Togendai Port
From Sounzan Station at 1,200 meters above sea level, we take a ropeway down to Lake Ashi at 700 meters above sea level. Along the way, we stop at Owakudani, where clouds of volcanic steam rise from the desolate rocky landscape, while enjoying the views of the actively erupting Mount Hakone. From this ropeway, we can also enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.
At Togendai Port, we will take a lunch break at the restaurant where we can enjoy a nice view of Lake Ashi.
Cruise on Lake Ashi aboard the Pirate Ship
Lake Ashi is a caldera lake formed by volcanic activity of Mount Hakone. From the bottom of the caldera, you can enjoy the scenery of the outer rim of Mount Hakone, as well as the view of the summit of Mount Fuji beyond. First, we will enjoy a cruise from Togendai Port to Checkpoint Port.
Narukawa Museum
Narukawa Art Museum is a modern art museum located in Hakone, overlooking Lake Ashi. It features a large collection of contemporary Nihonga (Japanese-style paintings) by leading artists. The museum is also known for its beautiful panoramic view of Mount Fuji and the lake from its lounge and glass windows.
Stroll along the shores of Lake Ashi
We will continue to stroll along the coast of Lake Ashi after leaving Narukawa Museum, heading toward Hakone Shrine.
Hakone Shrine
Hakone Shrine was founded in 757 after receiving a divine message from the deity of Hakone. Throughout history, famous warriors including Ieyasu Tokugawa prayed here for victory in battle. Strolling through the grounds of the Shrine, you may experience the divine spiritual atmosphere.
The Torii gate standing in the Lake Ashi is the one of most popular photogenic spots that people want to take a photo of themselves standing in front of it.
Moto Hakone
We will take a bus to Hakone-Yumoto, arriving at 16:50, where we will board the Romancecar bound for Shinjuku. Alternatively, we may take a regular train instead of the Romancecar.
There is also an option to return to Tokyo Station by bullet train from Odawara Station, which requires an additional fare of 3,810 yen per person.
Ending Point
At Shinjuku Station, or at your hotel
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee and hotel pick-up within 23 wards in Tokyo
Transportation fees (for you and your guide)
Food and drinks (for you and your guide)
Entrance/ Admission Fee (for you and your guide)
<Note>
The total amount of additional fees for this tour, excluding the guiding fee, varies based on the options you select:
1. Standard additional fees: 8,500 yen per person (Hakone Free Pass: 6,100 yen + Round-trip Romance Car express tickets: 2,400 yen).
2. Without the express train on the return to Shinjuku: 7,300 yen per person (Hakone Free Pass: 6,100 yen + One-way Romance Car express ticket: 1,200 yen).
3. Narukawa Museum: In addition to the transportation fees mentioned above, the admission fee is required if we decide to visit (1,500 yen per adult, 1,000 yen per college/high school student, and 500 yen per junior high/elementary student).
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
*Pick-up service will not be provided for those staying outside Tokyo, including Yokohama.
*Guiding services are provided in English only. Therefore, guests who are not fluent in spoken English or may have difficulty communicating are kindly advised to find a guide who speaks their native language in order to avoid possible miscommunication.
Hello. I am Keiko, a nationally licensed tour guide for English-speaking tourists. I love traveling to new places, experiencing different cultures, and meeting new people. When I was young, I embarked on a long journey to explore more about my life. I settled in a small town in Illinois, USA, enjoying a new life while studying at the state university, and then moved to Florida to work for a while.
After coming back to Japan, I have been working in downtown Tokyo since 2008, mainly as a translator and sometimes as an interpreter in various fields, including central government offices, TV stations, and a university. Seeing the increased opportunities around the Tokyo Olympics 2020, I transitioned into the tourism industry and am currently working as a tour guide, basically giving day tours of downtown Tokyo, Fuji & Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko.
I love meeting people from different backgrounds, talking with them, and learning new things. That's why I enjoy hosting guests from abroad who want to explore Japan. Many local people helped me during my journey, and now it's time for me to give back. Come and meet me here; I will show you around amazing places in Japan.
Mechelle I.
“Fantastic Guide”
Keiko T. was a wonderful guide. She met us at our hotel and was prepared and ice packs for an our tour in the hot, but beautiful Tokyo. Keiko spoke perfect English and was knowledgeable, funny, and provided insights and information beyond the requisite touristy info. She taught us how to use the subway for example. She provided guidance on navigating Tokyo Station to purchase tickets and travel to Kyoto on the bullet train. She is an excellent guide - would hire her again and again. ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu).
Keiko T.
Michelle, thank you for your kind review. I also truly enjoyed spending time with you. It was a really hot day during our tour, but I'm glad you enjoyed visiting some of Tokyo’s must-see spots and experiencing the city. If you ever have a chance to come back, please let me know — I’d be happy to show you around even more!
Samuel B.
“Heartfelt Thank You”
I wanted to express my deepest gratitude to my wonderful guide Ms. Keiko for making my trip unforgettable. You were amazing, your kindness and passion for sharing your culture made this experience very special. We visited Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, and she pointed out the history of shrine and the iconic scenery surrounding it. You then took me to eat some Kobe Beef Katsu; it was so delicious. Thank you for recommending this place and sharing a meal with me. Afterwards we ended up on a boat on Lake Kawaguchi, the view was spectacular. Even more spectacular was earlier that day, the clouds were covering up Mt. Fuji and we couldn't see it but out of luck or divine intervention the clouds cleared up for about 30mins and we were able to get a clear view of Mt. Fuji. Your stories and explanations added so much depth to our trip. Thank you so much for being a great listener, what really touched me was your kindness and openness. I loved how I was able to share my thoughts and stories with you so easily. You made me feel very welcomed. I'll never forget the few phrases you taught me in Japanese! It helped me feel more connected with the culture. Thank you once again for being a wonderful person and for the wonderful experience. I hope our paths cross again someday and until then please know how grateful I am for all you shared with me. "Otsukaresama"
Keiko T.
Samuel, thank you for your kind review. The tour with you was very special for me as well. You are such a kind and friendly person, and so easy to talk to. That’s why we were able to enjoy chatting and sharing various views and opinions so openly — which is my ideal style as a guide. I still have what you left behind. I’ll keep it until we meet again someday in the future. Wishing you all the best and a happy life. Hope to see you again! (Mata aimasho-ne)
Sarah K.
“Memorable day in Hakone”
Even though the weather was rainy on our second day with Keiko, we still managed to see so much. Keiko had booked tickets for us on the Romance Car a month in advance. When the weather didn’t cooperate, she rearranged our itinerary and made sure that we got to see as much as we could. The views from the ropeway were stunning, even though Mt. Fuji wasn’t visible. We really enjoyed our visit to the Hakone Open Air Museum. My family loved exploring the unique sculptures and beautiful outdoor exhibits. We also took the bullet train back to Tokyo, which was a great experience. Keiko truly went above and beyond to make sure our day was memorable, even when the weather didn’t cooperate. I highly recommend her!
Keiko T.
Sarah, thank you for your kind review. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the day trip to Hakone despite the bad weather. Your positive attitude and ability to focus on the good parts really helped create a fun atmosphere that we all enjoyed together. I believe that’s the key to a successful tour. I still remember the moment when I said goodbye to you at Tokyo Station. Thank you so much for choosing me as your guide!
$269/ per group