At a Glance
An ultimate luxury escape to Hakone and Mt Fuji led by a Hakone born guide. Climb Mt Fuji, cruise Lake-Ashi, rejuvenate in blissful therapeutic hot springs, and relax in a luxurious ryokan. This easy to moderate tour will reward you with spellbinding nature, culture, and history of Hakone. This truly is the quintessential Japanese experience.
Hakone is about 2 hours from Tokyo and one of the best destinations to experience the beauty of Japan. Part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, endowed with more than its fair share of natural beauty, Hakone is a town with water at its heart. At its centre, you’ll find the Ashino-ko lake from which Mount Fuji arises dramatically to crown the iconic mountain vistas. The town is also famous for its therapeutic hot springs, modestly luxurious ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Private transport throughout the trip
- All entrance tickets, and experience cost
- Return transfers to/from train stations
- 2 nights luxury accommodation at Hakone Ginyu in Western/Japanese styles
- Enjoy delicious kaiseki cuisine. 2x breakfasts, 3x lunches, 2x dinners
- Tea House Immersive Experience or Lake Ashi Pirate Boat Cruise on Day 1
- Private guiding with an english speaking guide throughout the trip
Itinerary
Take the train ride from Tokyo Station to Hakone (at your own arrangement). Your guide will meet and greet you at Yumoto or Odawara station between 9:00 to 10:00 am. Your guide will take you to the scenic grand drive Ashinoko Skyline, which offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji and Pacific Ocean. Lake Ashinoko Skyline (10.75 km in total length) runs along a ridge of 900 meters to 1000 meters along the Hakone rim. Since the Ashinoko Skyline is located in such a great location that overlooks Mt. Fuji, Mt. Atago, and Mt. Suruga Bay outside of such Hakone rim, the course itself is an observation deck. So the drive is amazing! Next, you will visit the Onshi Hakone Park. The appeal of Lake Ashi has drawn and mesmerised people for centuries. In the heart of the lake is the former summer villa for the Japanese Imperial family. The superb view hasn't changed from its time as an Imperial villa. The former grounds of the summer villa are now known as Onshi Hakone Koen Park with beautifully manicured Japanese gardens, and the reconstructed main building of the complex that once served emperors and foreign dignitaries. Walking the spacious grounds gives you a chance to find a quiet place away from the many popular sights in Hakone and gives you an interesting introspective into the life of the Japanese Imperial family. You can also walk the west edge of the peninsula, where you can see Ashino-ko Lake on the left. You will sometimes find deep blue water between the woods, and Mt. Fuji shows her head over the closer mountains. Then you will explore the Old Tokaido Road. It is a road that has stories to tell, places to feel, and people to meet. Running through the heart of Hakone is the Old Tokaido Road. The road was one of the most important in all of Japan because it served to connect the cultural and imperial capital of Kyoto with the political and economic center of Tokyo. The road was the setting for many famous stories, the backdrop for ukiyo-e art, and used by samurai and traveling royalty. Hakone has some of the best preserved sections of this wonderful piece of history. Walking among the trees and on the cobble stones transports you to a different time, an experience to feel with all your senses. Then you have two options to enjoy the rest of your day: Option 1: Tea House Immersive Experience Option 2: Pirate Boat Cruise in Lake Ashi After a day of exploring, check in your luxurious accommodation at Hakone Ginyu. Relax in the infinity pool onsen to unwind while admiring the lush greenery that surrounds the hotel. Room Style: Western Style Bed Type: Queen bed Bath: Indoor/outdoor onsen Toilet: Ensuite Western style |
Walking distance: approx. 4.6 km, 2.5 hours Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and head to Mt Kintoki for a nice hike today. Mt Kintoki is located 1,212m above sea level. From Mt. Kintoki an enjoyable panorama extends, with Mt. Fuji and Owakudani framing Sengokuhara. Along the trail, you will see Kintoki-yadori-ishi rock is a huge boulder split down the middle, which plays a main role in the Kintaro legend. As if to substantiate the legend that "Kintaro lived together with his mother" there is enough space under the rock to hold people. On the southern side of the summit, the view reaches from Sengokuhara as far as the mountains of Hakone and Lake Ashinoko. The spot where vapors are rising from the mountains is Owakudani. From the summit you have a wide view, on clear days reaching from Gotenba Town at the foot of the mountain to the summit of magnificent Mt. Fuji. After the exertion of the ascent, a very special break is waiting with a splendid view of Mt. Fuji. The climb is worth it just for taking the best shot of Mt. Fuji. In the afternoon, you will visit the Open Air Museum. The sprawling museum creates a harmonic balance between art and nature. The impressive collection of world-famous artists Picasso, Henry Moore, Taro Okamoto, Yusuo Mizui, and other large-scale sculptures, are all beautifully framed against the spectacular backdrop of the surrounding scenery. There are two sections of the museum with indoor and outdoor settings. The outdoor displays are the Hakone Open-Air Museum's greatest attraction. Passing through the tunnel at the entrance to the museum grounds, a garden art museum framed by a clear blue sky and the green mountains of Hakone leaps into view as the visitor's eyes adjust to the sunlight. Sculptures set amid a garden of natural Hakone beauty quietly welcome the visitor to the world of art. The indoor has four main sections: Picasso Exhibition and Picasso Pavilion, 20th Century Sculpture Collection and Sculpture Laboratory. Return to your accommodation. Relax in blissful therapeutic hot springs before enjoying another delicious Japanese kaiseki dinner. |
Walking distance: approx. 3 - 4 hours After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit Mt Fuji Sengen Taisha Shrine. This is one of the most historical and scared shrines in Japan. Since ancient times, Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha has been highly esteemed by the Imperial court, and it was ranked as one of the most eminent shrines in the sacerdotal code established during the Engi period (901-923). The court sent imperial messengers and presented offerings and land to the shrine, which was the most important in the Suruga region. The tradition of worship Fuji date is popular and carry on to now. After visiting the grand shrine, you'll hike from the 5th station to the 6th station of the Fujinomiya Trail. Walk to the edge of the crater, then hike to the peak of Hoei Crater and return to the 5th station. Later on, you will enjoy hiking around the Hoei Crater and Forest line. You will be amazed by the size of the Crater. Transfer to Hakone Yumoto Station, where you can catch train to your next destination. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. The price is based on a group of 4 people. Private departure for 2 people is also available & surcharge applies. Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 12 people.
More Info
- The departure point is Hakone - Yumoto station / Odawara station
- The finishing point is Hakone - Yumoto station / Odawara station
How to travel between Tokyo and Hakone
Catch Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku area, arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station (Travel time: approx. 1 hour 48 mins)
Catch JR bullet train from Tokyo or Shinkuku station, and arrive at Odawara Station (Travel time: approx. 40 mins)
Day 1: Arrived in Hakone, leisure walk in the Onshi Hakone Park
Day 2: Mt Kintoki Hike, approx. 4.6 km, 2.5 hours
Day 3: Mt Fujinomiya Trail Hike, approx. 3 - 4 hours
Japan's weather and climate features four distinct seasons.
Spring is from March to May. It's perhaps one of the very best times to visit Japan as temperatures are pleasantly warm without being too hot, with daytime temperatures ranging between 21°C to 26°C. The country is ablaze with beautiful white and pink cherry blossom and plenty festivals to enjoy.
Summer is from June to August and the country experiences a three to four-week rainy season. It is hot and humid during this time and temperatures are often in the high 30’s. If you plan on visiting Japan during the summer weather, northern areas such as Hokkaido or the mountains of Tohoku or Chubu are the most comfortable places to escape the heat.
Autumn is from September to November and is characterised by light breezes and cooler temperatures of around 8-10°C. It is also a wonderful time to visit Japan. The country turns into a haven of red and scarlet leaves which contrast strikingly against the deep blue clear skies and almost as impressive as the stunning cherry blossoms.
Winter is from December to February. It is a magical time to visit as the landscape is turned white with snow. It's the perfect time to go skiing or check out the hot springs, especially venture to the ski slopes of Hokkaido or Nagano. It's Okinawa is a great place to visit during the winter as it is not quite as cold as the rest of Japan’s weather.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.