Hakone Private Custom Tour: Mt. Fuji View, Nature & Shrine
Description
Discover the beauty of Hakone on a private tour led by a knowledgeable multilingual guide. Your journey connects the region’s highlights via mountain railway, cable car, and ropeway, culminating in a relaxing Lake Ashi cruise where you will enjoy exclusive access to the VIP cabin for a more comfortable experience. With a fully personalized itinerary, you can explore Hakone’s unique blend of volcanic nature, history, and culture at your own pace. Your guide will also act as a local concierge, recommending the best authentic restaurants to suit your tastes and enhance your visit. ・Explore at your own relaxed pace with a flexible, customizable itinerary. ・Witness the dramatic volcanic landscapes and panoramic views from the Ropeway. ・Visit the serene Lake Ashi and its historic shrines. ・Discover scenic photo spots away from the crowds. ・Gain deeper insight into Japanese culture and history from your guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travelers will glide high above Hakone’s stunning landscape aboard the Hakone Ropeway gondola. As they ascend from Sounzan to Owakudani, they’ll witness dramatic volcanic steam vents and the unique scenery of the “Great Boiling Valley.” On clear days, the view opens up to the majestic Mt. Fuji and the sparkling waters of Lake Ashi below. The entire ride offers a panoramic journey through Hakone’s natural beauty — a perfect mix of adventure and breathtaking sights.
Owakudani, known as the “Valley of Hell,” is an otherworldly landscape formed by volcanic activity. Here, travelers can witness steaming vents, bubbling hot springs, and the dramatic power of nature up close. A highlight is tasting the famous “black eggs,” boiled in the hot sulfur springs and said to add seven years to your life. With its surreal scenery and cultural quirks, Owakudani offers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that is both thrilling and uniquely Japanese.
The shores of Lake Ashi are ideal for relaxing walks, leisurely boat cruises, and enjoying the crisp mountain air. With the iconic red torii gate in view and Mt. Fuji sometimes appearing in the background, the lake embodies the postcard-perfect image of Hakone. Visitors can savor local treats, explore charming shops, or simply sit by the water and soak up the serene landscape—a refreshing contrast to the bustle of city life.
Travelers will embark on a scenic cruise aboard the famous Hakone Pirate Ship, sailing across the tranquil waters of Lake Ashi. From the open deck, they can take in breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, lush mountain ranges, and the lakeside scenery that changes beautifully with the seasons. The ship itself is designed like a grand pirate vessel, adding a sense of adventure to the journey. Whether departing from Togendai, Motohakone, or Hakone-machi ports, guests can enjoy a relaxing 25–40 minute voyage that captures the essence of Hakone’s natural beauty and charm.
Hakone Shrine is one of the region’s most iconic landmarks. The striking red torii gate rising from the waters of Lake Ashi creates one of the most photogenic scenes in Japan. Steeped in history and surrounded by towering cedar trees, the shrine embodies the mystical beauty that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Visitors can walk the sacred paths, learn about local legends, and capture unforgettable photos of Japan’s spiritual heritage.
Once a retreat for the Imperial Family, Onshi-Hakone Park offers panoramic views of Lake Ashi and, on clear days, majestic Mt. Fuji. This beautifully landscaped park combines Western-style gardens with traditional Japanese aesthetics, making it a perfect place to stroll and take in breathtaking scenery. The blend of history, elegance, and natural beauty gives travelers a unique perspective on Japan’s cultural refinement.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(46)
We had an incredible day exploring Hakone with our guide, Ken. From the very beginning, he was friendly, professional, and extremely knowledgeable about the area. He took the time to explain the history, culture, and significance of each location we visited, which made the experience so much more meaningful. Ken helped us navigate the Hakone ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, shrines, and scenic viewpoints with ease, ensuring we made the most of our time. He was flexible, patient, and happy to tailor the day to our interests. Even though Mt. Fuji likes to hide behind the clouds at times, the stunning scenery, peaceful atmosphere, and Ken’s local knowledge made this one of the highlights of our Japan trip. If you’re considering a private tour in Hakone, we highly recommend booking with Ken. Thank you for such a memorable experience!
Thank you very much for your wonderful and detailed review. We’re delighted to hear that your day in Hakone was such a memorable part of your trip to Japan. It’s wonderful to know that the combination of beautiful scenery, cultural insights, and seamless exploration of Hakone’s highlights helped make the experience so meaningful. We’re especially pleased that the flexibility of the tour allowed you to enjoy the day at your own pace. Your kind recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again on a future visit to Japan.
Wonderful experience, very good tour with an excellent guide. Kenichi was the best guide for English and Spanish speakers. 10/10 stars
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience and that the tour was both informative and memorable. It’s especially rewarding to know that the tour was comfortable and engaging for both English and Spanish speakers. Your kind recommendation and perfect rating truly mean a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again in the future.
Pepito is a great guide; his knowledge of the places, their history, and his way of speaking Spanish create a spectacular experience.
Muchas gracias por su comentario. Nos alegra saber que disfrutó de la experiencia y que las explicaciones sobre la historia y los lugares visitados hicieron el recorrido tan especial. Es un placer saber que la comunicación en español contribuyó a que la visita fuera aún más enriquecedora. Agradecemos sinceramente sus amables palabras y esperamos poder recibirle nuevamente en el futuro.
Our guide Keiji was a funny, smart, and personable, making him exceptional on this tour through Hakone. He passed on deep knowledge of the history and customs of the region, and of Japan in general, in fun and interesting ways, using his experience living both in Japan and abroad to help connect Japanese history and customs to global history. Having an expert to guide us through the many different forms of transportation made the day easy and let us see lots of Hakone with minimal fuss. Plus he parted the clouds magically so we could see Mt Fuji!!! Highly recommended.
Thank you very much for your wonderful and detailed review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Hakone and learning about the region’s history and culture in such an engaging way. It’s wonderful to know that the smooth guidance through the transportation system helped make the day relaxing and enjoyable. And of course, we’re very happy the clouds cleared for a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji! Your kind recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Tour was wonderful, Masko was wonderful, she was very knowledgeable and was a great tour guide. Would use your company again. Very worthwhile ❤️
Thank you very much for your wonderful and heartfelt review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable and worthwhile experience, and that the tour felt both informative and memorable. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us, and we’re especially happy to know that you would choose our company again in the future. We hope to welcome you again soon.
Very nice tour guide, picked up directly at the nearest stop to us. Great organization!
Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche Rückmeldung. Es freut uns sehr zu hören, dass Sie sich gut betreut gefühlt haben und die Organisation der Tour angenehm und unkompliziert war. Schön, dass der Start an der nahegelegenen Haltestelle für Sie bequem war. Wir hoffen, Sie bald wieder begrüßen zu dürfen.
Hiroshi is an experienced and very friendly guide. We saw and learned a lot. Everyone had fun.
Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche Rückmeldung. Es freut uns sehr zu hören, dass Sie die Tour genossen haben und dabei viel sehen und lernen konnten. Besonders schön ist es zu wissen, dass alle Spaß hatten und die gemeinsame Zeit genießen konnten. Wir hoffen, Sie bald wieder begrüßen zu dürfen.
This was a great tour! Keiji was an amazing guide - super friendly and knowledgeable. 100% recommend!
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and had such a positive experience. It’s wonderful to know that the friendly atmosphere and local knowledge made the day even more enjoyable. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
We had such a beautiful day traveling around Hakone. Beautiful and we learned so much. Our guide, Masako, was so knowledgeable and kind. Made for an awesome day.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a beautiful day exploring Hakone and that you enjoyed learning more about the area along the way. It’s wonderful to know that the experience felt both enjoyable and memorable. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Our tour guide Tak was awesome! We did a private tour with him and he took great care of us! He even made sure Mt. Fuji didn’t have any cloud cover for us! 😉 he was very knowledgeable and showed us around the Hakone area. It was nice to not worry about where to go or how to get there.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your private tour in Hakone and felt well taken care of throughout the day. It’s wonderful to know that you could relax and fully enjoy the beautiful scenery, including the clear view of Mt. Fuji. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
