The short answer
- Private car days from your Tokyo hotel to Hakone, for your group only.
- 8 hours, from US$990 per group for up to 5 guests (US$1,200 in peak season).
- A guide and a separate driver, with child seats fitted free.
A Day in Hakone by Private Car: Our Usual Route
This is the loop most visitors make by train, cable car, ropeway and boat, with the car taking the changes off your hands. We leave at the hour you choose and adjust the order on the morning, once we can see where the weather is clear.
| Stop | What you see | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel lobby, Tokyo | Your guide meets you holding a “Japan Trails” sign | Child seats already fitted |
| Hakone Ropeway | About 4 km of gondola over the valley, with Mt. Fuji on a clear day | One way ¥2,000 for adults |
| Owakudani | Steam vents and the black eggs boiled in the hot spring water | Not advised for babies and infants; we ride past it with them |
| Lake Ashi cruise | The pirate ship from Togendai across the lake | 25 to 40 minutes, one way ¥1,700 for adults |
| Hakone Shrine | The red Peace Torii standing in the lake | Short walk from the boat pier |
| Local lunch | Planned around allergies and what the children eat | Booked before the day |
| Back to your hotel | Drop-off at the door | The car meets you at the lake, so no return by train |
Each stop has its own guide on our blog: the Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, the pirate ship and Hakone Shrine.
Why Take a Private Car to Hakone
No five changes with bags and a pram
By public transport the loop is a train, a mountain railway, a cable car, a ropeway and a boat, with a queue at each. The car takes you to the start of the parts you want and collects you at the end.
A driver and a guide, not one person doing both
The driver drives, and your guide is free the whole day: to explain what you see, to buy the tickets and to keep the day moving when someone needs a stop.
The day follows your group
Long queue at the ropeway, or rain on the lake? We change the order on the spot. With children we keep the walking short and leave time for snacks and a rest in the car.
Food and allergies sorted in advance
We check allergies and dietary needs with the restaurant before the day, and your guide explains them in Japanese at the table.
How Much Is a Private Hakone Tour from Tokyo?
| A day by private car | |
|---|---|
| Length | 8 hours from your hotel |
| Price | From US$990 for up to 5 guests; US$1,200 in peak season |
| Each extra guest | US$150 |
| Children / infants | Children count as guests; infants and toddlers are free |
| Included | Guide, planning, car and driver, hotel pick-up and drop-off, child seats |
| Not included | Ropeway, boat and entrance tickets, and meals |
Planning it yourself instead? Our Hakone day trip guide sets out the trains, the loop and the Freepass. The same car rate applies to Mt. Fuji and Kamakura.
How to Plan It
Send us your dates, who is coming, any children’s ages and where you are staying. We reply within 24 hours with a suggested route and the price. When you are happy, we confirm the date and send a secure payment link.
Questions About a Private Hakone Tour
How long is the drive from Tokyo to Hakone?
Usually 1.5 to 2 hours from central Tokyo, longer with weekend traffic. We suggest an early start, and the car is yours, so we stop whenever someone needs a break.
Do we still ride the ropeway and the pirate ship?
Yes, if you want to. The car drops you at the start of the ride and meets you at the far end, so you ride only the parts you enjoy and skip the queues for the rest. Tickets are paid on the day.
Is Hakone good for young children?
Yes. The gondola and the pirate ship are what children remember. Japan’s tourism board advises babies and infants not to visit Owakudani because of volcanic gas, so with a baby we ride past it.
Do you provide child seats?
Yes, at no extra charge. Tell us the ages and they are fitted before we arrive.
Can we see Mt. Fuji from Hakone?
On a clear day, yes: from the ropeway and across Lake Ashi. Winter mornings are the clearest. If the mountain is hidden, the lake, the shrine and the volcanic valley still make the day.
Can we combine Hakone and Mt. Fuji in one day?
It is possible, but with children it means most of the day in the car. We usually suggest one or the other, and say which suits your dates when we reply.
Can we add a hot spring?
Yes. Tell us when you enquire. Many public baths do not admit children who are not yet toilet-trained, so with small children we look at private baths.
Cancellation, payment and everything else: see our FAQ.