Hakone private tour with guide: Choose your 3-4 sites

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English or Japanese7 departure times, from 08:00 to 11:00

Guide in English or Japanese7 departure times, from 08:00 to 11:00

Guide in English or Japanese7 departure times, from 08:00 to 11:00

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 day instead of following a fixed route

A private full-day tour of Hakone with a licensed English-speaking guide and a vehicle sized for your group, letting you pick 3 to 4 sites from the area's highlights instead of following a set itinerary. The guide handles the driving and the route. You decide whether to ride the ropeway over the active volcano at Owakudani, sail across Lake Ashi to see the floating torii gate, visit one of several art museums, or explore temples and gardens. Entrance fees and lunch are separate. You choose your vehicle type (minivan, regular car, or van) at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lake Ashi15m
2. Pola Museum of Art20m
3. Hakone Ropeway20m
4. Hakone Open-Air Museum20m
5. Owakudani20m
6. Narukawa Art Museum20m

Explore Hakone highlights by private car

• 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 (choose from Pola, Okada, Narukawa)

The Experience

The tour runs six hours and covers ground across Hakone's mountain resort area with a guide who speaks English and knows the region. You're not locked into a preset sequence: instead, you pick which attractions matter to you from a list that includes Owakudani (an active volcano where you can try black-boiled eggs infused with mineral spring water), Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji, the Narukawa Art Museum overlooking the lake, the Pola Museum of Art built into a forest of 300-year-old beech trees, the Hakone Open-Air Museum spread across 70,000 square meters, and quieter stops like Choanji Temple with its two hundred rakan statues scattered through wooded grounds. The guide drives. You navigate the day together.

Transportation is private, no other travelers in your vehicle, and the operator provides a minivan for up to four passengers, a regular car for two, or a van for up to seven, depending on which you book. Pickup is included. The ropeway ride down from Owakudani to Lake Ashi takes around 30 minutes and stops at the active volcanic area. The lake crossing to the Hakone Shrine's floating torii gate is a separate boat ride. If art is your focus, you can spend the day moving between museums instead. Entrance fees to sites are not included in the tour price, so you pay per museum or attraction as you go.

Specialized car seats and booster seats are available but limited. If you need them, contact the operator directly before booking. The tour suits all fitness levels, and the vehicles are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Private vehicle (minivan, regular car, or van depending on your group size).
• licensed English-speaking guide for the full six hours.
• customizable itinerary of 3 to 4 sites chosen from Owakudani, Lake Ashi, art museums, temples and gardens.
• hotel or meeting-point pickup.

Days and timesDaily · 7 departure times, from 08:00 to 11:00

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 friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Japan Guide Agency

Is this one for you?Choose the minivan or regular car if your group is small and you want flexibility to linger at each stop. Pick the van if you're traveling with a larger party and want everyone in one vehicle. The customizable itinerary means you're not paying for sites that don't interest you: art lovers can focus on museums, while others might spend more time on the ropeway and lake.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

10 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

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.

Can I pick which sites to visit, or is the itinerary fixed?

You choose 3 to 4 sites from the list of Hakone attractions (Owakudani, Lake Ashi, art museums, temples and gardens), so the day is built around what interests you, not a preset route.

What is Owakudani and why do people visit it?

Owakudani is an active volcano in Hakone's mountains that powers the area's hot springs. Visitors ride the ropeway over it to an observatory, see the sulfurous volcanic vents, and try the local specialty: black-boiled eggs that turn black from minerals in the spring water and are said to bring long life.

Do I get to see Mount Fuji on this tour?

Mount Fuji is visible from several stops on clear days, especially from Lake Ashi when you ride the ropeway down from Owakudani, and from the Narukawa Art Museum's panorama lounge overlooking the lake and the floating torii gate. Visibility depends on weather.

Are entrance fees and meals included in the tour price?

Entrance fees to museums and attractions are not included. You pay per site as you visit. Lunch is also separate, so you can choose where and what to eat during the day.

How many people can fit in the vehicle?

The operator offers three options: a minivan for up to four passengers, a regular car for two, or a van for up to seven. You pick the size when you book, and the price is per vehicle, not per person.