Mt. Fuji, Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo - Onsen, Arts and Nature
Description
Experience Japan like a local, far from the crowded and usually frequented places. This private day trip from Tokyo to Hakone includes hotel pickup and a scenic drive with views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and historic shrines along the way. In Hakone, you can relax in a traditional hot spring onsen or visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where art and gardens create a unique setting. The journey itself is part of the experience, following mountain roads that reveal changing landscapes and quiet corners away from the usual tourist paths. Because the tour is private, the day is fully flexible and shaped around your interests, whether that means more time outdoors, cultural discovery, or simply a slower pace. Onsen Notes: • All onsens we visit are tattoo friendly • Private baths can be reserved on request, around 13,000 JPY for two hours, subject to availability
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Fuji at several places during this day, along with many other surprises.
We will begin the trip with one if not the most scenic road of the Fuji/Hakone region. The road itself has many panoramas and from the top observatory, there is an incredible view of all the valley, Hakone, and Fuji. Even in case of rain, it is so foggy and green that it is an incredible atmosphere.
The Hakone Shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine on the shores of Lake Ashii. It was founded in 757 and contains a Tori (red gate), several shrines and buildings, some souvenir shops and a museum. It is one of the most beautiful shrines in the region, lost in nature.
We will then reach Lake Ashi, where we will stop at several famous Torii Gates (traditional Japanese gates most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine) and Shrines.
We will then stop at Amazake Chaya, a traditional teahouse along the old Tōkaidō road. Hidden in the cedar forests of Hakone, it has welcomed travelers for more than 400 years. Inside, the wooden beams darkened by centuries of hearth smoke create an atmosphere of warmth and history. Here you can taste amazake, a sweet, non-alcoholic rice drink once offered to weary pilgrims, along with simple local snacks. It is more than a teahouse, it is a living remnant of Edo-period travel culture, where the spirit of hospitality has been carefully preserved.
After the highway trip, scenic road, shrine and lake visit, it will be time to eat, and of course, relax. We will slowly make our way to some of the most beautiful onsen that Kanto has to offer (several choices, depending of your mood and desires). There we will be able to eat local specialities, relax in the thermal water, and even have a massage. Napping next to the water in the relaxation room is also possible, and recommended. Onsen Notes: • All onsens we visit are tattoo friendly • Private baths can be reserved on request, around 13,000 JPY for two hours, subject to availability
After lunch, and relaxation at the onsen, it will be time to take the road again and go to the open-air museum. It holds collections of artworks by Picasso, Henry Moore, Taro Okamoto, Yasuo Mizui, Churyo Sato, Susumu Shingū, and many others, featuring over a thousand sculptures exhibited within 70,000 square meters of green garden. It is both mesmerizing and relaxing, for adults and children alike.
If the weather isn't kind, or if you are quick, or interested by both, we will go to Pola Museum, which is indoor. The museum is nestled in a forest of beech trees and hidden in the wooded mountains of Hakone. The award-winning modern architecture blends finds a beautiful contrast and harmony with the surrounding nature. The museum exhibits a world-class collection of Western and Japanese paintings, ceramics, and cosmetic utensils, with a focus on impressionist paintings.
After Lunch, if time permits, we will pass by a second iconic road of the Fuji/Hakone region. It will allow us to have an even closer view on Fuji, on Lake Ashinoko, and even the sea! There are 4 breathtaking panorama along the road and we will stop at each of them.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you up at any hotel, Airbnb or train station within Tokyo's 23 wards. Upon booking, please include your pick-up location in the "Special Requirements" section. There may be an additional surcharge for pick-up at other sites.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(104)
Alexis was a fantastic local friend for the day. Drove us site seeing in the Hakone area and gave us inside tips on getting the best pictures without the long wait. Great attentiveness in arranging our onsen experience and massages. Alexis even went out of his way to help us recover a lost cell phone left in a taxi the day before. Highly recommend this tour and hope you will get Alexis as your guide. Truly exceptional white glove treatment. We now have a friend in Tokyo!
Best guides anyone could ever have. Very knowledgeable. Attentive to the customer needs.
Alexis was a great driver and very kind and attentive for our family. He helped to translate everything for us and to coordinate all aspects of our trip.
On top of being able to visit the main points of interest all in one day, our guide shared with us the amazing history of Japan throughout the trip which we found extremely interesting!
We really enjoyed this tour! It was a beautiful and relaxing day of seeing nature and shrines outside of the city. Everything was well worth seeing, but our favorite experience was the onsen. Our guide, JP, was excellent. He’s multi-lingual, speaks flawless American English and taught us a lot about Japan’s history, especially in relation to feudal Japan, before modernization. He’s also very funny, and an excellent driver. Speaking of driving: the van was very comfortable, especially on such a hot day. Would definitely recommend this tour to others. It’s a convenient and comfortable way to spend a day relaxing and exploring beyond the city. You’re bound to love it!
Very very cool! Onsen was relaxing, lunch was delicious. Mount Fuji was so gorgeous and Tori gate was really cool. If you are visiting tokyo I would 100 percent recommend!
We really enjoyed ourselves on this excursion. The weather didn’t cooperate since there was a typhoon, but our guide JP did a great job of adjusting what we did so we could avoid the rain as much as possible and still enjoy ourselves. We enjoyed the woodworking demo and the local tea house, and the shrine was absolutely beautiful. JP directed us to an awesome, non touristy ramen shop with rich and tasty broth. We ended the day at the onsen, and with JP’s help, were able to get a private bath and a massage. JP was a safe driver despite treacherous conditions and just a fun guy to talk to who was very knowledgeable about the history and tradition of the area. Highly recommend!
Fantastic day trip out of Tokyo! Alex was a great host - very friendly, helpful, and tailored the day to perfectly meet our requests. Great Mt Fuji views, trip to the Shrine, and perfect ending at the Onsen for massage, bath, and late lunch. Great day!
An amazing experience! Joshua was an outstanding guide, very knowledgeable, super friendly, transportation was luxury style super comfortable. Had great views of Mt. Fuji, the onsen was one of our favorite experiences, and the food reccomendations were on point! We traveled as a family and my 16 yo and 14 yo had an amazing time. Joshua went above and beyond to make our experience the absolute best!
We love love LOVED our tour with Alexis out to Hakone and Mt. Fuji area. We were able to secure private rooms in advance for the onsen and loved being able to spend some time relaxing after exploring the Hakone Shrine. Alexis was truly a highlight of our trip - personable, flexible and incredibly patient. This was exactly what we were looking for. If you have a day to get away from the city and see some beautiful scenery, choose this tour! But most importantly, request Alexis. Many many thanks from our group!
