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• The Highlight of Our Japan Trip!

  Rudderless,Jun 12, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had the absolute pleasure of booking a private tour with Koto in Hakone, and it was one of those rare experiences that still feels magical months later. Koto is warm, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable, with a gentle way of making everything feel personal and effortless. She tailored the day perfectly to our interests, keeping the pace comfortable and flexible so we could really soak it all in. The transportation was smooth and comfortable, and the itinerary struck the ideal balance—thoughtful stops at beautiful Shinto shrines, the impressive outdoor museum with its wonderful exhibits, and a lush, cool cedar forest that felt straight out of a storybook. The included lunch was fantastic too; we got to try so many new flavors and dishes we never would have found on our own. The best part was visiting Koto’s family tea house. Her brother welcomed us like visiting dignitaries and shared the powerful history of the 47 Ronin while we enjoyed their custom brew in this historic space that has been their family’s passion for many generations. It was deeply immersive and low-key at the same time—like we’d somehow ordered off the secret menu and gotten the ultimate behind-the-scenes VIP tour of Japan. My son, who had done extensive research on Japanese history, language, and culture, was completely in his element, and Koto’s encouragement meant the world to him. He was walking on air for weeks afterward. If you’re heading to Hakone (or anywhere nearby), do yourself a favor and book with Koto. This wasn’t just a tour—it was a transformative, heartfelt experience we’ll never forget. Thank you, Koto and family! ❤️

• Wonderful time in Hakone

  B3509HLgordonp,May 16, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our guide Hiroko was great. Very attentive and full of knowledge and history. She paid attention to what we were trying to accomplish with our short stay in Hakone and got everything accomplished. Hakone was supposed to be a short stop on the way to Kyoto but the experience may end up being one of our more memorable experiences. We would hire her and the tour operator again!

• Great tour!!

  92carlinc,May 15, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This tour company is very flexible to work with. Easy communication with the guides and information leading up to the tour. The tailored a tour to my families needs, and were able to adjust the plan as the weather changed. Hiroko was so patient with my kids as well. Would definitely recommend for your your needs in Hakone.

  

  

  

  

• Exquisite Hakone Experience

  stevenpC5969TL,May 2, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I had a wonderful experience exploring and experiencing Hakone which is a beautiful area. This tour company was highly recommended and it exceeded my expectations. Shin, the owner of the company, planned the perfect experience for me. He has so much love for his hometown which made the tour even more special. I highly recommend Shin and his team for the perfect Hakone experience tailored to your needs as it was to mine.

• A day on Old Tokaido Road - fantastic

  Vacation28726554735,Apr 26, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had a very nice day with Mika, our guide. She knew so much about the history of the area and nature- very nice to hear what she had to say and to be able to ask all our questions. About everything and everything! We learned a bit about Japanese cuisine and customs, the school system - our children also fired all their stories and questions at Mika and she happily talked along. Even when one of us forgot the phone at the restaurant, she managed to arrange with her boss for the phone to be delivered back to us - what a relief! The pace and information were effortlessly tailored to us, making it a very nice day. Really a top experience that we recommend to everyone.

• A perfect day!

  KARINE B,Mar 29, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The weather was on on our side but our guide Mika made it a perfect day. Walking on the side of the lake Ashi with big cedar trees, visiting a shrine, we add a lovely time. Very informative

• Wonderful Day in Hakone

  andrewsZ9719TI,Mar 20, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This experience was all about the tour guide. We had a lovely day with Koto who guided us through Hakone's attractions. Koto was an incredible guide who spoke perfect English and was absolutely fantastic with our kids. The four kids traveling with us (ages 7-10), said that this day with Koto was the best one on their entire 12 day trip to Japan.

• Fantastic day in Hakone - a must do.

  carleene2021,Feb 24, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had a wonderful day with Hiroko. We were blessed with a beautiful day, and magnificent views of Mt Fuji. Hiroko was very pleasant to spend the day with, and instantly made us feel comfortable. Hiroko speaks excellent English and talked us through all the information and history of the Hakone area. We used the Hakone pass to travel on our tour which was easy also.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Great personal guide

  Austourist2011,Jan 4, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Hiroko Omori was our guide, as a couple, for a day (organized through Inside Japan). It was a great experience – she was informative, knowledgeable and helpful, and paced the day according to our interests. We saw things we would not have found without her. She even managed to part the clouds long enough for us to see Mount Fuji. But perhaps most important on a holiday, she was simply good company for the whole day. Highly recommended

  

  

  

  

• Amazing day in Hakone with Koko

  414christopherr,Nov 18, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We spent a full day touring Hakone with Koko and it was honestly one of the best parts of our Japan trip. The coolest part was definitely visiting her brother’s tea house - it’s been in operation for 400 years, which is just mind-blowing to think about. We tried genmaicha (rice tea) for the first time there and really liked it. There’s something about being in a space with that much history that you can’t quite put into words, but it was really special. Koko took us to all the main Hakone spots - the art museum, rode the cable car up to see the sulfur vents at Owakudani, and walked part of the old Tokaido road including the checkpoint where they used to inspect women during the shogun era. She knew so much about each place and explained everything in a way that was really interesting without being like a textbook. What I appreciated most was how easy she was to talk to. We spent a lot of the day just chatting and learning about each other’s cultures, which made everything feel more personal. She’s knowledgeable but also just a genuinely nice person to spend the day with. Highly recommend booking with Koko if you’re heading to Hakone!

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