Private Hakone Half-day Car Tour with Hotel Pickup - Local Guide
Description
This private tour is perfect for those who want to fully experience the charm of Hakone in just half a day. The greatest strength of this tour is its flexibility. Taking into account the season, weather, and your personal preferences, our experienced guide will propose a customized itinerary during a briefing at your pick-up point. For example, if you’d like to enjoy Hakone’s stunning views from various angles, you can choose a plan that includes Lake Ashi, the Hakone Ropeway, and Owakudani. If you’re interested in visiting power spots, a plan with Hakone Shrine is recommended. For those who enjoy drinks, we can also arrange a plan visiting Hakone’s wineries or craft breweries. Due to time constraints, we will visit selected recommended spots, and depending on your pick-up location, it may not be possible to cover all the places you wish to see. Typically, we visit 3–4 locations. Our guide will design and create the perfect tour tailored just for you!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Hakone Shrine: Hakone Shrine, situated on the shores of Lake Ashi, is a historically significant shrine known for its sacred atmosphere. The beautiful shrine buildings, harmoniously integrated with the surrounding nature, and the iconic vermillion torii gate seemingly floating on the lake's surface, captivate visitors. The reflection of the torii gate and Mount Fuji in the lake creates a breathtaking view. It is also a popular power spot, attracting many worshippers. From the shrine grounds, you can enjoy stunning views of Lake Ashi and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji. Admission fee: Free
Owakudani: Owakudani, accessible via the Hakone Ropeway, is an active volcanic valley still emitting steam. The strong smell of sulfur and the unique landscape offer a truly otherworldly experience. The black eggs, a local specialty, are said to add seven years to your life if you eat one. Geothermal hot springs also abound, providing a unique opportunity to experience the area's volcanic activity. The surrounding area offers numerous onsen (hot springs), foot baths, and souvenir shops. Admission fee: Ropeway fee separate
Lake Ashi: Lake Ashi, an iconic symbol of Hakone, is famed for its stunning views of Mount Fuji. A sightseeing cruise on the lake offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and the surrounding Hakone mountains. The lakeshore boasts well-maintained walking paths perfect for leisurely strolls. The ever-changing beauty of the lake throughout the seasons makes it a destination worth revisiting time and again. Lake Ashi is also surrounded by various tourist facilities, restaurants, and accommodations. Admission fee: Sightseeing boat fee separate
Ōkanzan Observatory: Ōkanzan Observatory offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Hakone's stunning scenery. A must-see for any visitor to Hakone, it provides breathtaking views of Lake Ashi, the Hakone mountains, and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji. Sunsets on a clear day are particularly unforgettable. Well-maintained walking paths surround the observatory, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the natural beauty. Admission fee: Free
Hakone Checkpoint: The Hakone Checkpoint, a significant point along the Tōkaidō Road during the Edo period, is a fascinating destination for history buffs. The meticulously recreated buildings and numerous historical artifacts offer a glimpse into the past. Imagine the bustling activity of the Edo period as you explore the checkpoint and learn about its history and culture. The surrounding area features historical buildings and well-maintained walking paths. Admission fee: Adults 410 yen, Children 210 yen
Hakone Old Tokaido Cedar Avenue: The cedar avenue lining the Hakone Old Tōkaidō Road is a beautiful landscape where history and nature intertwine. The towering cedar trees create a lush, tranquil space, offering a peaceful escape from the city's noise. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, absorbing the history and the serenity of nature. Admission fee: Free
Tamaduru Falls and Hiryu Falls: While Hakone has many waterfalls, Tamaduru Falls and Hiryu Falls are particularly renowned for their beauty. The powerful cascades generate abundant negative ions, offering a refreshing and revitalizing experience. The surrounding area is rich in natural beauty and features well-maintained walking paths for a relaxing experience. Admission fee: Free
Tokinosumika: Tokinosumika is a large resort facility nestled in the abundant natural beauty of Hakone. It offers a wide range of amenities, including hot springs and shops, providing a full day of enjoyment. Its highlight is the on-site brewery and winery, where you can savor carefully crafted beers and wines. Admission fee: Varies depending on the facility
Gora Brewery Public House: This brewery pub serves craft beers brewed using Hakone's rich natural ingredients. The pub boasts a cozy atmosphere, enhanced by the warmth of its wooden interior and stunning views from the windows. Enjoy a selection of both regular and seasonal beers. Admission fee: Free
Hatanaka Yosegi Workshop: This workshop continues the tradition of Hakone's Yosegi (wood marquetry), a craft passed down through generations. The intricate and beautiful Yosegi created by skilled artisans are truly captivating. Admission fee: Free
Lake Ashi Skyline: The Lake Ashi Skyline offers a scenic driving course that allows you to fully appreciate the majestic natural beauty of Hakone. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji, and the Hakone mountains from your car window. It's a truly unforgettable highlight of any Hakone trip, combining a refreshing drive with stunning scenery.
Senkokuhara Chōan-ji Temple is one of the most famous tourist spots in Hakone. Founded during the Kamakura period, this historic temple is known for its unique atmosphere, with over 200 statues of its followers standing within its grounds. The serene garden, surrounded by a cemetery and trees, offers a tranquil setting where you can experience the beauty of nature throughout the year. The temple is particularly beautiful during autumn, when the entire grounds are painted in vibrant shades of red and yellow, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Surrounded by majestic nature, this tranquil setting offers a chance to experience history and faith, making it a highly recommended tourist destination.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will be waiting for you at the front desk of your hotel or any train/bus station you have selected for your pick-up.(pick-up location options available) Our car will have " Sunny Tours Japan" on the side.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please let us know how many children under 5 years old will be joining the tour, as they will need to use a car seat.
Reviews(83)
We had an amazing private half-day tour around the Hakone area, and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Despite a typhoon passing through, we still had a wonderful experience. Our guide, Daisuke, was exceptional. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to cater to all of our needs, making sure we got the most out of the day despite the weather. We rode the Skyrail up to the volcanic area, tried the famous black eggs, visited two beautiful shrines, and saw the iconic torii gate by the lake. Daisuke shared fascinating local history and made the whole tour enjoyable and stress-free. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide or experience and would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Hakone.
Kumi was excellent. She gave us options on what attractions to hit and was insightful and knowledgeable. She also took us to a soba place for lunch. We visited the Temple, Shrine, Lake Ashi, cable car and the checkpoint. Definitely an easy and relaxing way to do a half day tour. She was even kind enough and treated us to her favorite snacks at the end of the trip.
Very good, Daisuke was amazing guide!! With a lot of knowkedge, friendly and polite. We had eonderfull time.
It was an excellent tour to know the main sites of Hakone with the convenience of going by car since it is a city with steep climbs. The guide Kumi was excellent, attentive, explaining to us in detail everything we asked. It's very friendly, we love spending 5 hours with her. Punctuality when picking us up at the ryokan and finishing the tour.
Miu was amazing and with the bad weather, was able to customize our trip on the go. We loved every minute of it!!
We booked this private half day tour in Hakone, and it was perfect for what our family needed. After a full week of all-day walking around Tokyo, we wanted to do a more relaxed and laidback tour around Hakone, and our tour with John delivered! It truly helped that he is a local, and was quite knowledgeable of the area + must-see spots. He was very friendly as well, and kept our little kids engaged during the entire tour! We highly recommend this company — and make sure you ask for John! :)
This tour was so beautiful and so much fun! we were taken around by our tour guide John and had the most amazing time. John has that immediate old family friend-ness about him. he guided us through beautiful Hakone, and was extremely knowledgeable in the culture and history. John is the type of tour guide that makes you feel comfortable right away and all day- we laughed the whole day through, shared an amazing meal together and got a true taste of the beautiful life and scenery in Hakone. Our family would highly recommend this tour and highly recommend John as well (all in one: tour guide/comedian/skilled driver!)! It was everything we hoped for in a tour and tour guide! Thank you for an amazing experience!
John was wonderful. We enjoyed very much our time with him and visiting all the beautiful sights in Hanoke and a wonderful lunch. We are very grateful for a great experience with him!
Our guide John (Japanese name Mitsuki) was excellent. He drove my family of 6 around Hakone and showed us the sights. He was knowledgeable and helpful. He discussed the options with us and came up with the best itinerary. We saw the thermal vents at Owakudani, ate the black eggs, took the cable car to Lake Ashi, the pirate ship cruise, saw the shrine by the lake, had lunch, and he dropped us off at the Glass Museum. He got along great with my kids (ages 16-23). He accommodated our spur of the moment wishes for coffee and bakery. We got to know a lot about Hakone and also life in Japan. I would recommend him.
Our afternoon tour with Miu was fantastic! She was incredibly friendly and provided us a ton of insight into Hakone’s history. She also took us to a great bakery with the best curry donuts. Would highly recommend!!
