Hakone Full-Day Private Tour: Customize Sites with Guide

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Japanese9 departure times, from 08:00 to 12:00

Guide in English or Japanese5 departure times, from 08:00 to 10:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Build your own Hakone itinerary around the sites that matter to you

A full-day private walking tour of Hakone where you choose which 3 to 5 attractions to visit (art museums, the active volcano at Owakudani, Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji, or Hakone Shrine), and a licensed English-speaking guide customizes the route and timing around your picks. The tour runs 6 or 8 hours depending on how many sites you select. You meet your guide on foot within a designated area of Hakone and walk between stops, with public transportation available nearby for the longer stretches.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lake Ashi15m
2. Owakudani15m
3. Hakone Ropeway10m
4. Hakone Open-Air Museum15m
5. Pola Museum of Art15m
6. Narukawa Art Museum15m

Explore Hakone's natural and cultural sites

• Visit Owakudani volcano area
• Try black boiled eggs
• Ride Hakone Ropeway to Lake Ashinoko
• Enjoy views of Mount Fuji
• Sail across Lake Ashinoko
• Visit Hakone-jinja Shrine
• Explore art museums and gardens

The Experience

Hakone sits in the mountains between Tokyo and the Fuji region, and this tour lets you skip the standard itinerary and build one that fits what you actually want to see. You'll meet your licensed guide within a designated area of Hakone and decide together which sites make the cut. The choice matters: a 6-hour tour covers 3 to 4 stops, while an 8-hour tour lets you fit 4 to 5. Your guide speaks English and knows the region well enough to route you efficiently and explain what you're looking at as you go.

Owakudani, the active volcanic valley, is the draw for many. You'll see sulfurous gases rising from geothermal vents and can try the area's famous black boiled eggs, turned dark by minerals from the hot springs. The Hakone Ropeway descends from Owakudani down to Lake Ashi, where Mount Fuji rises across the water on clear days. A boat crosses the lake to the floating torii gate of Hakone Shrine, dedicated to a nine-headed dragon deity. If art is your focus, Hakone has several museums: the Narukawa Art Museum overlooks the lake and specializes in nihonga (traditional Japanese painting), while the Hakone Open-Air Museum scatters sculptures and installations across 70,000 square meters of grounds. The Pola Museum of Art sits underground in a forest of 300-year-old beech trees and holds works by Cezanne, Monet and Picasso. Smaller options include the Hakone Glass no Mori with Venetian glassware and a garden, Gora Park with its French-style landscaping, and Choanji Temple, where over two hundred rakan statues, each with its own expression, dot the wooded grounds.

The tour is built around walking between stops, so the terrain and your pace matter. Hakone is mountainous, and while public transportation fills the gaps on longer stretches, you'll be on foot at each site. Your guide will be in touch after you book to nail down which attractions suit your interests and fitness level, then plan the day so you're not rushed. Entrance fees and lunch are on you, but the guide's knowledge and the route itself are included.

What’s included

• Meeting with a licensed English-speaking guide at a designated Hakone location.
• a customized itinerary of 3–4 sites (6-hour tour) or 4–5 sites (8-hour tour) chosen from Owakudani, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, art museums and other attractions.
• guidance and route planning for the full day.

Days and timesDaily · 9 departure times, from 08:00 to 12:00

AgesAges 12+ · 6 to 11 years — Free · Under 6 — Free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Japan Guide Agency

Is this one for you?Choose the 6-hour tour if you want to see the highlights (Owakudani, Lake Ashi and one museum or shrine) without a full day commitment. Pick the 8-hour option if you're drawn to multiple museums or want a slower pace that lets you linger at each stop. The walking format and mountainous terrain mean this tour suits people comfortable on their feet for several hours. If mobility is limited, discuss it with your guide when you book so they can adjust the route or suggest sites with easier access.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

6 to 11 years, free; under 6, free.

What is Owakudani and why do people visit it?

Owakudani is an active volcanic valley where sulfurous gases rise from geothermal vents that heat Hakone's hot springs. Visitors go there to see the volcanic activity up close and to try the area's famous black boiled eggs, which turn black and absorb minerals from the spring water as they cook.

Can I see Mount Fuji on this tour?

Mount Fuji is visible across Lake Ashi on clear days, and the Narukawa Art Museum has a panorama lounge with large windows framing the lake, the floating torii gate and the mountain. Visibility depends on weather, but the lake views alone make the trip worthwhile even if clouds roll in.

How many art museums are in Hakone, and which ones might I visit?

Hakone has several art museums to choose from. The Narukawa Art Museum focuses on nihonga (traditional Japanese painting) and overlooks Lake Ashi; the Hakone Open-Air Museum places sculptures and installations across vast grounds; the Pola Museum of Art holds modern and classical works by European and Japanese artists; the Okada Museum of Art features East Asian ceramics and sculptures with a Japanese garden and hot spring foot bath; and the Hakone Glass no Mori displays over 100 pieces of Venetian glassware in Italian-styled buildings. Your guide can help you pick based on your interests.

Do I need to pay entrance fees for the sites we visit?

Yes, entrance fees are separate from the tour price and paid at each site. Fees range from 550 yen (Gora Park) to 2800 yen (Okada Museum with footbath). Your guide can tell you the costs upfront so you can budget accordingly.

Is this tour suitable if I find walking difficult?

The tour is a walking tour with stops at each site, so you'll be on foot throughout the day. Hakone is mountainous and terrain varies by location. If walking is challenging, let your guide know when you book. Public transportation options are available nearby for longer stretches, and some sites are wheelchair accessible.

How does the guide customize the itinerary?

After you book, your guide will contact you to discuss which attractions interest you most, whether that's volcanoes, art museums, temples, gardens or lake views. You'll pick 3 to 4 sites for a 6-hour tour or 4 to 5 for an 8-hour tour, and the guide will plan the route and timing to fit your preferences and energy level.