In The Shadow Of Fuji

📍 Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station: 1.5 h Hakone-Yumoto Station to Chukoku no mori station: 30 min

Today is a self-guided day.

This morning, catch the limited express train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone, the gateway to Mt. Fuji and one of the most visited destinations within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:

Explore some of the shops and local restaurants located near Hakone-Yumoto Station. Afterwards, we suggest to take the Hakone-Tozan Railway with the included transport pass to Hakone Open-Air Museum. The museum creates a harmonic balance between nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its spacious grounds in combination with beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Besides the sculptures, the museum also features various indoor galleries, including a sizable Picasso collection that displays some paintings, prints, sculptures, and ceramic creations of the legendary artist.

In Hakone, the night’s accommodation will be in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style accommodation furnished with zaisu (no-leg chairs), a low table, shoji (sliding doors), and tatami flooring.

This evening, relax in a yukata (lightweight kimono) and dine on a kaiseki multi-course meal. An onsen after dinner is highly recommended before heading to bed on the provided futon.

Overnight in Hakone

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

Today is a self-guided day.

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary:

Armed with the included transport pass, continue exploring Hakone via its numerous forms of transportation. Ride the Guinness World Record-setting ropeway all the way up Mt. Owakudani, passing over sulfurous fumes and hot springs.

Note: The ropeway that goes to Mt. Owakudani has resumed operations but for safety reasons, hiking on the mountain is still prohibited.

Suggested Alternative Itinerary:

We also suggest heading to Togendai and climbing aboard its replica pirate ship that sails across Ashinoko, a lake that was formed after a volcanic eruption that took place more than 3,000 years ago.

After the cruise, get off at Hakone-machi port and walk towards Hakone Shrine, passing by Hakone Checkpoint and the cedar avenue. This shrine is probably the most photographed place in the area with its iconic “floating” torii gate. Going to the main shrine buildings will require a bit of hiking as they are located on top of the ninety-or-so- step staircase.

From the shrine, continue the trek along the Preserved Old Tokaido Walking Trail, of which the most popular track stretches around 8 km long. The next 40 minutes or so will run to Amazake Chaya, a traditional house serving Japanese style snacks accompanied by sweet rice wine (amazake).

Overnight in Hakone

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Odawara Station to Kyoto Station: 2 h

The rest of the day is free at leisure until the scheduled departure from Hakone.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast