Hakone Full-Day Private Tour: Ropeway, Owakudani & Lake Ashi Cruise
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires light walking and several short stair sections.
Overview
Ride ropeways above steaming valleys, stand beneath an 800-year cedar approach to a mountain shrine, and cross Lake Ashi on a pirate-ship cruise — all in a private, public-transport day tour from Hakone Yumoto. This full-day itinerary pairs volcanic drama with cultural calm and practical local insight.
Hakone Full-Day Private Tour: Ropeway, Owakudani & Lake Ashi Cruise
Select participants and date
The day begins at the second-floor ticket gate of Odakyu Line’s Hakone Yumoto Station, where steam and cedar scent the air and a local guide waits with a map folded like a promise. You step onto public transport with the rest of your small party and the valley opens in stages: hot sulfur vents hissing near Owakudani, a cedar-lined approach to a Shinto shrine, wide water under a pirate-ship bow, and sculptures that lean into the landscape at the Open-Air Museum.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Check Owakudani status before you go
Owakudani closes intermittently due to volcanic gases; confirm ropeway and valley access in the morning to avoid itinerary changes.
Bring small bills and coins
Many shrine stalls and lakeside vendors are cash-only; keep yen on hand for offerings, snacks, and souvenirs.
Layer and plan for wind
The ropeway and lakeside are exposed — pack a windproof layer and sun protection to handle quick temperature swings.
Wear sturdier shoes than city sneakers
Expect mixed surfaces: paved shrine approaches, museum terraces, and uneven boardwalks around Owakudani.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Waterfowl around Lake Ashi (egrets, ducks)
- Occasional Japanese macaques in higher forested ridges
History
Hakone has been a strategic mountain pass since the Edo period; Hakone Shrine dates to 757 and the lake formed after a volcanic collapse roughly 3,000 years ago.
Conservation
Heavy visitation stresses trails and shoreline; stay on marked paths, pack out waste, and respect museum grounds and hot-spring areas. Owakudani’s geothermal features are fragile — follow signage and guide directions.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Hakone (Hakone-Yumoto)
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Provides traction and support for mixed surfaces at shrines, museums, and volcanic paths.
Light rain shell or windbreaker
Protects against sudden showers, wind on the ropeway, and cool lakeside breezes.
Small wallet with cash (¥)
Many vendors, shrine offerings, and small shops accept cash only.
Compact camera or binoculars
Helps capture distant Mount Fuji views and details in the Open-Air Museum and lakeshore.