Private Hakone Tour - View of Mt. Fuji, Nature and Culture
Description
Hakone is a beautiful mountainous area in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu-National Park. Just a half hour away from Tokyo by bullet train, a day tour out to Hakone is a must do. Famous for it’s hot springs, scenic crater lake (Lake Ashi) and it’s breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji, Hakone is completely surrounded by Japan’s beautiful nature. This full-day Hakone tour is a carefully curated mix of history, culture, nature, and fun activities. This private tour includes a bullet train from Tokyo to Odawara and back, a visit to the ancient Hakone Shrine, a boat ride across Lake Ashi, a cable car up the volcanic Mt. Hakone, black eggs at the sulfurous fields of Owakudani, and a visit to the Hakone Open Air Museum or a traditional Japanese Onsen. In addition, you will stroll along the Old Cedar Avenue - built in the early 17th century it is one of Japan's oldest roads, and shop for authentic souvenirs at the hot spring town of Hakone Yumoto.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby between 7.30 AM and 8.30 AM (depending on your hotel's location). You will travel to either Shinagawa or Tokyo Station by subway or taxi if you prefer. Transport costs to the station in Tokyo are payable by yourself.
Arrive at Odawara Station in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park by Shinkansen (bullet train)
Transfer to Hakone Yumoto hot spring town by local train.
Visit the magnificent Hakone Shrine dating back to 1667 and famed for its Torii gate in the water. Learn about the history of Hakone Shrine and Japan's indigenous religion of Shintoism. Then take a stroll along one of the few remaining sections of the old Tokaido road, constructed in the early 17th century. Walk along the exact same route that travelers did hundreds of years ago.
Board a sightseeing cruise across the great Lake Ashi and soak in the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji from the water (weather-dependent).
Hop on the Hakone Ropeway to travel up Mt. Hakone where you will see Mt Fuji from another vantage point (weather dependent).
Enter the 'valley of hell' where sulfurous fumes are expelled from the active volcano and try some legendary black eggs cooked in the local hot springs. (don't worry, it's perfectly safe!)
From Owakudani (hell valley) we will travel to Gora Station via Ropeway where we will then transfer onto the Hakonetozan - Cable Car - a railway system built into the mountains where you can enjoy the peaceful views of the surrounding area.
Choose between a visit to the Hakone Open Air Art Museum or a traditional Onsen for the penultimate stop on this tour. At the Hakone Open Air Museum art and nature are together as one. You will see works by renowned artists such as Henry Moore and Pablo Picasso as well as celebrated Japanese artists. At the Onsen (hot spring) you will relax and refresh your body and mind. This is the ultimate cultural experience in Japan.* Please note that bathing suits are not permitted in the onsen. You will enter the pools naked (gender separated). Towels, toiletries, and skin lotions are all provided so you do not need to bring anything with you. *If you have tattoos please tell us when booking and we will take you to a tattoo-friendly onsen.
Whether you choose to explore the museum or soak in the hot springs we will finish the tour with a quick look around the souvenir shops in Hakone Yumoto.
From Hakone-Yumoto we will head back to Odawara via a local train and then travel by bullet train back to Tokyo.
We travel back to Shinagawa or Tokyo Station by Bullet Train. Your tour ends at the station and your guide will help you take a taxi or subway to your hotel. Please tell your tour guide if you need them to accompany you to your hotel.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will meet you at 7:30 AM in your hotel lobby (if your hotel is very close to Shinagawa Station we will meet you at 8 am - we will let you know if this is the case).
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Can walk approximately 12KM
- Must be able to walk up and down stairs (Hakone Shrine) along uneven grounds (Nature trail), and on slopes (Train station)
- This tour requires you to be able to walk unaided. You will need to be able to walk about 9 to 12 km over the course of the day. You will also need to be able to get yourself on and off buses.
Reviews(11)
When you go to Tokyo, definitely include the Private Hakone Tour with Miko. You’ll ride a Bullet Train, a cable car, and a Pirate ship all while enjoying the beautiful mountains around Mt. Fuji. Miko also took us to and from our hotel, to guide us through Tokyo’s complicated subway systems. Then she emails all of the photos she took of us along with a written recap of the places we visited during the tour. She is an Amazing Tour Guide and we think of her as family.
Hi David, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and recommendation! We’re absolutely delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the Private Hakone Tour with Miko. From the Bullet Train and cable car to the pirate ship cruise near Mt. Fuji, it’s wonderful to know that the experience became such a memorable part of your trip to Japan. We’re very happy to hear that her assistance navigating Tokyo’s subway system, along with the personalized photo recap and tour summary, added even more value to your experience. Hearing that you think of Miko as family is truly heartwarming and one of the highest compliments we could receive. We will make sure to share your lovely feedback with her—it will mean so much to her. Thank you again for choosing Hello! Tours. We hope to welcome you back to Japan again in the future!
We had a thoroughly enjoyable day out in Hakone and surrounds with personable Miko who was knowledgeable, superbly efficient and went out of her way to be helpful. Definitely the highlight of our short visit to Tokyo.
Hello! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that your day in Hakone with Miko was such a highlight of your trip. She’ll be so happy to know that her knowledge, efficiency, and kindness made your experience memorable. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Japan!
Beautiful temples. Lots of walking along well maintained areas. Without Yasu I would still be lost in the bowels of the subway. 😮😮
Hello Michael! Thank you for your review. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the beautiful temples and the well-maintained areas. We're especially happy that Yasu could help guide you and make your experience even more memorable.
This was a great tour and Yasu was so down to earth and fun. He knew a lot about the places we visited, he had little tricks to get us some great photos without having to stand in long lines, and one of our favorite parts of the day was actually sitting at lunch chatting! The tour itself offered some really fun ways to see some very interesting areas. Trains, cable cars, ropeway, and a really cool tour boat!
Hello Sean, thank you for your review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Hakone Tour with Yasu.
This is our first time to Tokyo and Paiva was very friendly, helpful and informative. She got along well with my 2 children and was flexible in making the necessary arrangements to suit our needs. She is meticulous in her planning and genuine in her interaction and care for us. We enjoyed the experience to the Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, Okuwadani via Bullet train, ship. Ropeway and Cable Car. It was a memorable experience thanks to Paiva. ❤️
Hi Latham, thank you very much for your review and for sharing your experience. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your Hakone Tour with Paiva!
Our tour guide, Paiva, was great. She guided us expertly around the subways and trains, including getting us seats. She answered all of our questions and was friendly and personable. Highly recommend this tour guide as she goes above and beyond.
Hi Kristina, thank you very much for your kind review! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour Hakone tour with Paiva and we truly appreciate the recommendation!
We had the most amazing day with our superb guide Paiva who looked after us so well all day from picking us up to dropping us off 11 hours later, she was very knowledgeable and aware of our needs at all times. It was the most magical day I had been worrying I would not be able to cope with all the walking steps etc., but I had no problem at all so don’t be put off.
Hi Joy, thank you very much for your kind review! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your Hakone Tour with Paiva and that you had no trouble with the walking course!
We traveled from Tokyo to Odawara Station by Shinkansen (bullet train). From there we transferred to Hakone Yumoto by local train and then boarded a taxi which took us directly to Hakone Shrine. Hakone Shrine We explored Hakone Shrine which dates back to 1667, discussed Shintoism, and learned about how this shrine is linked to the first Emperor of Japan. We took pictures by the torii gate in the water. Lake Ashi We took a boat across Lake Ashi, once believed to house the 9 headed dragon that caused steam eruptions by the nearby mountains. Hakone Ropeway We took a nice ropeway up towards Owakudani Owakudani We explored an active volcano and ate black eggs, adding 7 years to your life! Hakone Tozan Cable Car We rode on a cable car through the mountains. This special cable car system dates back to 1922. Hakone Open Air Museum We visited Japan’s first open-air museum which includes works from Henry Moore and Picasso and local Japanese artists Ryoji Goto (the black and red dancing people), and Takamichi Ito (the steel turning sticks) amongst others. Finally, we traveled back to Tokyo by Shinkansen.
Terrific tour! Rohan was delightful and knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed our day! Highly recommend to all who are interested in Japan’s history, culture or nature.
Thank you very much for your kind review and we are super happy that you have enjoyed your Hakone Tour with Rohan!
What a great day with our exceptional guide Sid! Thank you Sid! We enjoyed a full day exploring the history, nature, and cultural highlights of Hakone. Sid was so organized - the day was well planned, he communicated the plan very well, kept us up to date on each stage (ie prepped us for the next step at each stage), was very knowledgeable, gave expert food tips!, and was amazing with the kids (and big kids)! The tour itself is full of special surprises - views, history, culture, unique eats, art, etc etc. can’t recommend Sid highly enough!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of your tour to Hakone with Sid. We are pleased that you enjoyed everything so much :)