PRIVATE HAKONE TOUR

Hakone is a magnificent mountainous town in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Only half an hour from Tokyo by bullet train, a day tour to Hakone is a must do. Known for it’s superb hot springs, scenic crater lake (Lake Ashi) and it’s breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji, Hakone is completely enshrouded by Japan’s beautiful nature. It is one of the most popular locations in the country. Our Hakone tour is a mix of history, culture, nature and fun activities.

Over the course of this full day tour we embark on a journey through Hakone and explore the mystical natural forces that engulf the area.

*Please be aware that this tour requires that you can walk about 12km over the duration of the tour. You must also be able to walk up and down stairs (Hakone Shrine) along uneven grounds (Nature trail), and on slopes (Train station).

Magical views of Mount Fuji.

Bullet train, boat ride, cable car, and Open Air Museum / Onsen included.

Hotel pick-up from Tokyo available.

Your Private Hakone tour will start from your hotel lobby. Your guide will take you across Tokyo by subway to Shinagawa or Tokyo Station where you will board a Shinkansen (colloquially known in English as the bullet train) to Odawara Station in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Arriving in Odawara we will board a local train towards the small hot springs town of Hakone-Yumoto. From Hakone-Yumoto we will transfer to the magnificent Hakone Shrine.

The visit to Hakone Shrine will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip to Japan. Hundreds of years old, surrounded by enormous trees, a vermillion torii gate standing in the shallow waters of Lake Ashi…. it is a truly special experience.

From the shrine, we will walk along the lake’s edge to one of the few remaining sections of the old Tokaido road. Constructed in the early 17th century this cedar-lined passage was one of five main roads used to travel across Japan. Here you will walk along the exact same route that travellers did hundreds of years ago and you’ll learn about one or two of the most noteworthy.

From Hakonemachi-ko port we board a boat that looks like an enormous pirate ship and enjoy a 30-minute cruise across the crater lake. We’ll tell you about the mystical creature that once terrorized the local community from this lake. We will also introduce you to the work and life of Hokusai - one of Japan’s most renowned artists who was inspired by Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi. If the weather permits, you will be treated to an incredible view of the great Mt. Fuji.

From there will head for Owakudani via ropeway (gondola). Here lies the hellish valley that exhausts sulfurous fumes. To ensure you live through this hell, you’ll be able to eat the legendary black eggs cooked in the local hot spring water. It will add seven years to your life!

Leaving Owakudani there are two options for the penultimate stop on the tour. The first option is to visit the Open Air Museum; an outdoor art museum situated in the middle of the mountains. This museum captures the beauty of art and nature as one. A surprising highlight of the tour this stop is universally enjoyed, even by those who do not consider themselves to be art lovers. The second option is to visit an Onsen (hot spring) where you will relax and refresh your body and mind. This is the ultimate cultural experience in Japan.* Please note that bathing suits are not permitted in the onsen. You will enter the pools naked (gender separated). Towels, toiletries, and skin lotions are all provided so you do not need to bring anything with you. You can choose to enter with or without your tour guide. Unsure about this option? We recommend reading our blog about what it’s like visiting an onsen.

Whether you choose to explore the museum or soak in the hot springs we will finish the tour with a quick look around the souvenir shops in Hakone Yumoto, after which we head back to Odawara station where we board a bullet train back to Tokyo.

*If you have tattoos please tell us when booking and we will take you to a tattoo friendly onsen.

All prices listed are in US$ and are the total price for the tour. This tour is significantly more expensive than all of our other tours because the cost base is so much higher. Bullet trains, boat cruises, cable car rides, and entrance fees to fancy art museums in the mountains do cost a lot in Japan! In order to be transparent so that you can see exactly what you are paying for, we have included an additional table below which is our ‘tour fee’ only. The difference between our tour fee and what you are paying is 100% costs, all of which we pick up on the day.

This private Hakone tour is just for you and your friends/family. No one else will join your tour. You can bring a maximum of 11 people on your tour. For numbers over 8 people (12 years of age and above) please refer to the pricing on the booking page. Children aged 11 years and under are free to join the tour. There is however a surcharge of US$65 per person (including sales tax) for children aged 6 to 11 years to cover the costs of transportation and entrance fees. Prices for the Hakone tour include a return ticket from Tokyo to Hakone on the bullet train, a boat ride on Lake Ashi, cable car ride, bus tickets and entrance to Open Air Art Museum. Our tours are walking tours and we make use of the world-class public transportation system to travel around. Prices do not include the costs of transport to get from your hotel to Shinagawa Station. You will need to buy a subway pass on the day. Please note there is a 4.8% credit card processing charge.

Please note that in order to participate in this tour, you must be able to walk a total of approx. 12KM. You must also be able to walk up and down stairs (Hakone Shrine) along uneven grounds (Nature trail), and on slopes (Train station).

Please be aware that Hakone is NOT in Tokyo. To get to Hakone we will travel by bullet train from Shinagawa or Tokyo Station to Odawara Station. Shinagawa and Tokyo Station are in central Tokyo.

WHEN: Private Hakone tours are available 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. We avoid weekends in order to avoid the crowds.

TIME: 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM in your hotel lobby ( depending on the distance from your hotel to Shinagawa / Tokyo Station).

WHATS INCLUDED: The tour price includes the bullet train ride to and from Hakone, the boat ride on Lake Ashi, the cable car tickets, black eggs at Owakudani, entrance to the Open Air Museum or an Onsen and all bus / train rides around Hakone between points of interest.

EXCLUDED: The costs of any food, drinks, and souvenirs which you may wish to purchase during your tour are not included. The costs to travel from your hotel to Shinagawa station and back are similarly not included. Learn how to acquire a subway pass here.

STARTING POINT: Your hotel lobby.

FINISHING POINT: Shinagawa or Tokyo Station from where you can take a taxi or subway to your hotel. Please tell your tour guide if you need them to take you to your hotel.

WEATHER CONDITIONS: All tours take place as scheduled (including in heavy rain) except under a Red Warning or Purple Emergency Warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. For up-to-date information see the Japan Meteorological Agency website. Please note that if there are strong winds, rough water conditions, heavy rain or maintenance, the boat ride and/or the cable car might not be running. In this case, a replacement bus will be taken to get in between destinations. There is also a small chance that Owakudani and the sulfurous fields also may be closed due to dangerous volcanic activity in the area. In this case, we will visit another location.

Ready to book your day tour to Hakone? Then use our secure online booking form to secure your ultimate Hello! Tokyo tours experience. If you can't find what you're looking for, please feel free to contact us.

All pricing is in USD. Pricing includes the 10% sales tax in Japan.

We will meet you in your hotel lobby and travel with you to station where we board the bullet train. We pick up from hotels in Tokyo and in Yokohama.