Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

We had an absolutely wonderful day in Hakone, Japan, in October 2025 with a private guide named Kaz. We can’t recommend him highly enough. This private tour made the experience feel relaxed, personal, and perfectly paced. Our guide, Kaz, was fantastic—knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely passionate about sharing Japan with us. Even though the weather was rainy, Kaz turned it into a cozy, memorable day and adapted everything seamlessly. The highlight was the private sushi lunch, which was truly special—fresh, beautifully prepared, and one of the best meals we had in Japan. It felt intimate and authentic, not touristy at all, and added something unforgettable to the day. From cultural insights to thoughtful details, we never would have discovered on our own, the entire experience felt curated just for us. If you’re looking for a meaningful, high-quality private tour with exceptional food and a guide who truly cares, Kaz is an excellent choice. We would book with him again in a heartbeat.

Yoshii was our guide in both Hakone and Kyoto. He was wonderful and did a great job of showing us the highlights of both places. I would highly recommend this tour!

Hiro our tour guide met us right at our hotel and was amazing from the very start! He shared so much knowledge and showed us so much of Hakone in just one day. The absolute highlight was getting to see Mount Fuji — an unforgettable experience! We highly recommend Hiro to anyone visiting the area.

It is a great experience to travel Hakone through Kate’s eyes! We truly enjoyed the places she brought us to, and she knows her way around

TL;DR First time in Japan, family of four with adventurous kids (14 & 11), and zero planning required on our part—Shuji designed and led the entire Hakone & Mt. Fuji day flawlessly. Stress-free, immersive, and unforgettable. -- Shuji was an incredible and deeply insightful guide, and our day with him was one of the highlights of our time in Japan. This was our first time visiting Japan, and for this portion of the trip, our travel curator—Kelly Woodruff, Founder Atlas Aurora Travel —intentionally left the day open for Shuji to design and lead. Shuji planned the entire Hakone and Mount Fuji full day (6+ hour) experience himself, and from the moment the day began, it was clear we were in expert hands. Traveling as a family of four (my wife, our two kids—14 and 11—and myself), we were looking for something physically engaging, culturally meaningful, and completely stress-free. Shuji delivered exactly that. We had nothing to plan, manage, or figure out—our only job was to experience Japan. Shuji picked us up promptly at our hotel in Ueno and guided us through the train system with ease, helping us board the Shinkansen and setting the tone for a smooth, well-paced day. From there, he led us through Hakone’s complex and layered transportation network—mountain trains, cable cars, ropeways, buses, and boats—without a single moment of confusion or rushing. At Ōwakudani, Shuji took time to explain the volcanic landscape and history while we enjoyed black eggs (seven extra years of life!), black ice cream, and snacks. He knew exactly when to pause for views of Mount Fuji and when to keep things moving so the day stayed balanced and energizing. We later crossed the crater lake on the Hakone pirate ship, where Shuji shared context about the surrounding mountains, shrines, and torii gates. When he pointed ahead and said, “We are going there!” it felt like a promise—and soon we were walking toward the Hakone Shrine. The shrine area was fairly crowded, but Shuji navigated it thoughtfully, explaining smaller temples, rituals, and moments of meaning (including bowing before a mirror) while still giving us space to explore, take photos, and appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Even after the Hakone loop concluded, Shuji continued guiding us all the way back—by bus and train—ensuring smooth transitions and a calm return to Tokyo. When we arrived at Tokyo Station, he made sure we were fully oriented near Tokyo Skytree before saying goodbye. What stood out most was how effortless and human the entire experience felt. Instead of juggling logistics or staring at maps, we were fully present—with each other and with Japan. Shuji transformed an open day into a rich, memorable journey that we will talk about for years. It was a priceless experience that created incredible memories for our family, and we are deeply grateful to Shuji. The next time we are in Japan, we will absolutely seek him out again.

Our guide Yumi was extremely knowledgeable about the surroundings areas, and explained the history and culture of each place we visited in great detail. She was friendly and kind; it was a fantastic experience and we cannot recommend it enough!

This was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Japan. The Mount Fuji/Hakone tour was beautifully paced and filled with unforgettable moments. We began the tour with a visit to the Hakone outdoor museum that included Picasso originals. Next, we had a traditional Japanese lunch followed by a cruise across Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) on the famous Hakone Pirate Ship. We also visited the Hakone Shrine which was beautifully set in the mountains and felt peaceful and special. Lastly, we took the Hakone Ropeway gondola which was a true standout especially when our guide Taka casually said, “Maybe we’ll be able to see Mount Fuji, 50/50 chance with this weather,” just before we reached the top. The timing was perfect. Mount Fuji appeared in full grandeur, with almost no cloud cover, and it was absolutely breathtaking! What truly made the day exceptional was Taka himself. His deep knowledge of the area, great sense of humor, and genuine patience and interest in us elevated the entire experience. He made everything feel relaxed, informative, and fun, and you could tell he truly loves sharing this region. An incredible mix of nature, culture, and expert guiding. Highly recommended. This tour is not to be missed.

Our guide was Yukie Tachibana -- she was excellent! Explained everything we saw, was so pleasant to travel with! Recommended a wonderful Udon restaurant for lunch, and then took us to the Hakone Outdoor art museum which was highlight of the trip!!

Excellent tour guide, fast paced tour and alot of walking with very crowded use of public transport.

Very well organized got to see top attractions. Kate provided valuable insights on the history of the area. We have great photos from our visit