Tokyo & Hakone Gateway to Mount Fuji

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival in Tokyo, meet our English-speaking assistant at the airport and transfer by shared car to your carefully chosen hotel, offering an excellent location and outstanding service. Please note that if you arrive after 20:30, when the shared car service is unavailable, you will need to make your own way to the hotel or contact us to arrange a private transfer.

Today’s city tour reveals why Tokyo consistently ranks among the world’s top destinations. After meeting your guide at the hotel, we’ll begin at the Tsukiji Outer Market — once the world’s largest fish market, handling more than 2,000 tons of seafood daily at its peak. Originally a hub for knives and kitchenware, it has evolved into a lively centre of Tokyo’s food culture. Here, you can enjoy freshly sliced tuna sashimi for around JPY 500 (USD 3), savour fluffy tamagoyaki — a slightly sweet Japanese omelette — for JPY 150 (USD 1), or try buttery grilled scallops for JPY 400 (USD 2.5). Each offers a taste of local life and excellent value.

We’ll then continue to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a peaceful sanctuary surrounded by an artificial forest of some 100,000 trees that insulate it from the bustle of the city. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and Empress Shoken, the shrine holds deep cultural significance. Holding a wedding here is a great honour for many couples, with ceremonies often costing around JPY 4 million (USD 27,000) — a testament to its prestige.

Our next stop is the Imperial Palace, once home to the Tokugawa Shoguns and later the Imperial Family after Emperor Meiji moved Japan’s capital from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868. We’ll stroll through the Outer Gardens, where you can admire the black pine trees, the statue of the samurai Kusunoki Masashige (1294–1336), and the elegant Nijubashi Bridge. The nearby Chidorigafuchi moat is also famous for its cherry blossoms in late March to early April, when locals gather to view the pink blooms reflected on the water.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest districts. Starting at the Kaminarimon Gate with its giant red lantern, we’ll walk along Nakamise-dori Street, lined with traditional shops and food stalls that evoke the spirit of old Edo. You can sample local snacks, browse for souvenirs, and catch a view of the Tokyo Skytree in the distance. Our final stop is Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, with its striking five-storey pagoda. Tradition says you’re more likely to draw an unlucky fortune here — not because of bad luck, but because Senso-ji has kept the original ratio of fortunes while others have changed theirs. If you do draw a bad one, simply tie it to the wooden frame to leave the misfortune behind.

After a day full of discovery, your guide will accompany you back to the hotel.

Tokyo - Hakone - Tokyo. Today marks one of the highlights of your journey as we travel to the iconic Mt Fuji. After meeting your guide at the hotel, we’ll take the bullet train to Odawara Station, followed by a scenic ride on the mountain railway and cable car — both historic lines that have been climbing the Hakone Mountains for over a century. Covering a 736-metre (2,415-foot) difference in altitude between Odawara and Sounzan stations, this route boasts the steepest ascent of any mountain railway in Japan.

At Sounzan Station, we’ll transfer to the ropeway bound for Owakudani Valley, a volcanic area formed around 3,000 years ago. Here, the smell of sulphur fills the air and white plumes of steam rise dramatically from the rugged terrain, creating a fascinating natural scene. You may wish to sample local specialties such as the famous Owakudani black eggs, boiled in the valley’s hot springs, or the spicy Owakudani curry, both unique to the region.

Next, we’ll continue by ropeway to Togendai Port. From the glass gondola, enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the Hakone Mountains. During autumn (October to November), the slopes glow in vibrant red and gold hues that contrast beautifully with the deep blue of Lake Ashi. On clear days, Mt Fuji appears strikingly close, its snow-capped peak visible even from afar.

The highlight of the day is a cruise across Lake Ashi aboard a pirate-style ship. As we glide over the sparkling water, take in panoramic views of Mt Fuji and the bright red Peace Torii Gate of Hakone Shrine, standing proudly by the lakeshore — a truly iconic sight of Japan.

After exploring the beauty of Hakone, your guide will accompany you back to Tokyo by local bus and express train.

On the final day of your Tokyo group tour, please make your own way to the airport for your departure. We hope you’ve had a wonderful time and that your journey with us has created lasting memories.