I suggest a day trip by car to the mountain resort of Hakone, with stunning views of Mount Fuji. On request a visit to the onsen at the hot springs with a great view of Lake Ashinoko can be arranged.
Hakone is one of Japan’s most famous hot springs resorts and is located next to Mount Fuji. During the tour you will admire Mount Fuji from the observatory at Ashinoko Skyline. Later you will follow a mountain trail to Owakudani a volcanic area famous for its sulphurous smell and white smoke. You will sail on a pirate ship to Hakone Sekisho an ancient Edo-period checkpoint on your way to Edo (modern-day Tokyo). After Hakone Sekisho, you will walk along the Tokaido Old Road surrounded by imposing centuries-old cedars. This road used to connect the cities of Kyoto and Edo.
Why I recommend travelling by car:
Fast and convenient. We pick up travellers directly from the hotel and return them back to the hotel. You can also travel with suitcases if you plan to stay overnight and then travel on to Kyoto the next day
You will visit places where you cannot go without a car. Ashinoko Skyline road with very beautifull scenaries at Fuji mountaint and Pacific Ocean. Also a unique opportunity to explore Japan’s highways and mountain roads.
You will really enjoy the trip. Due to the huge tourist flows to Hakone. From Gora to the Owakudani cable car stop you may have to queue for an hour and a half. Then the gondola queue is another hour. Just because of the huge number of tourists travelling by truck is a real ordeal. So if you want to get there quickly comfortably and efficiently, a day trip by car is the way to go.
Vehicle: Nissan Serena or similar
Driver/guide: english/japanese speaking guide Andrew
Number of persons: maximum 4 persons
Itinenary
8:30 Check-out from Tokyo hotel
10:30 Arrival at Ashinoko Skyline road
10:30-11:30 Sightseeing tour of Ashinoko Skyline.
12:00 Arrival at Owakudani
12:10-13:00 Sightseeing tour of Owakudani. Owakudani is one of the most famous Hakone viewpoints, where you can observe the intense volcanic activity up close. The site is said to be the result of a volcanic eruption almost 3000 years ago. The specific smell of sulphur that permeates the whole area has given rise to another name: Jigokudani (Valley of Hell). One of the local specialities is “black eggs”, the main feature of which is that the chemical reaction with geothermal water and volcanic gases results in a black shell.
13:45-14:45 From Owakudani we will go down to Lake Ashinok0. We have lunch at the Togendai boat dock while admiring Lake Ashinok. Lunch is not included in the tour price.
15:10-15:55 From Togendai pier we sail on a pirate ship to Moto Hakone port. In the heart of Hakone is Ashinoko –
The Sekishio, which was active for about 260 years in the Edo period, was abolished in 1868.16:45-17:15 Walk along the Tokaido Cedar Walk. During the Edo period, the Tokaido Road (東海道, Eastern Ocean Road) was arguably the most important road in Japan. In the early Meiji period, the eastern road of the region was chosen as the route for the telegraph lines that connected the old capital Kyoto,with the new “eastern capital” Tokyo. The Tokaido Road stretches 513 km from Tokyo to Kyoto.
17:30-18:30 Onsen hot tubs will be available on request. 龍宮殿での温泉
18:40 Departure for Tokyo.
21:00 Return to hotel in Tokyo.
TOUR PRICE 400 EUR/group
RESERVATION FORM