Classic Tokyo with Hakone & Mt. Fuji

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival in Tokyo, our English-speaking assistant will help you board a shared airport-to-hotel transfer, available until 20:30.

Over the next two days, your expert guide will lead you through Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, immersing you in traditional Japanese culture and providing an authentic glimpse into the locals’ daily life. Additionally, you’ll travel to Hakone, a popular suburban resort renowned for its lush natural scenery and the majestic Mt. Fuji. Despite its short duration, this itinerary is carefully planned and full of highlights, with no shopping stops to waste your time. Rest well tonight and get ready for tomorrow’s adventure!

Today’s city tour showcases Tokyo’s top travel appeal, via Japan’s extensive public transportation. After your guide picks you up at the hotel, we’ll visit Tsukiji Outer Market, once the world’s largest fish market, handling over 2,000 tons of seafood daily at its peak. Now transformed into a popular food hub, it offers authentic Japanese snacks for under USD 3. 

Continue exploring the Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled in the heart of Tokyo within an artificial forest of about 100,000 trees that muffles noise and distractions. Besides paying tribute to Emperor Meiji (1852 - 1912) and Empress Shoken, pivotal figures in Japan’s history, many Japanese couples choose to hold their weddings here, despite the average cost of JPY 4 million (USD 27,000). Many Japanese celebrities also prefer to have their traditional wedding ceremonies at this shrine.

Our next destination is the Imperial Palace, the home of the Japanese Emperor. Join your guide for a stroll through its Outer Gardens, where you’ll see the vast black pine forest, the notable statue of warrior Kusunoki Masashige (1294–1336 AD), and popular attractions like Nijubashi Bridge. Also, Chidorigafuchi, the northwestern moat of the Imperial Palace, is famous for cherry blossom viewing from late March to early April.

In the afternoon, follow your guide to explore old Tokyo in the Asakusa area. Start at Kaminarimon Gate’s large red lantern, and stroll along the lively Nakamise-dori Street to browse for Japanese snacks and souvenirs, then catch a distant view of Tokyo Skytree before arriving at Senso-ji Temple. There’s a common belief that you’re likely to get an unlucky fortune at Senso-ji, which might discourage you from trying. However, historically, the ratio of good to bad fortunes has always been balanced. Many other shrines have reduced the likelihood of misfortune, leading to the misconception that Senso-ji has more bad luck. Even if you pick a bad fortune, you can tie it to a special wooden frame to leave the bad luck behind – so don’t worry!

After finishing today’s exciting journey, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel.

Today marks the highlight of your Tokyo trip as you visit Mt. Fuji. Your guide will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to Odawara Station by bullet train. From there, we’ll ride the Hakone Mountain Railways, which are the steepest of Japan’s mountain railways, with a 736-meter (2,415-foot) elevation gain. Arriving at Sounzan Station, let’s transfer to the ropeway heading to Owakudani Valley. Due to active volcanic activity, you can smell the sulfur-rich air and, from the observation deck, see white plumes consistently rising over the desolate valley, creating a dramatic geological scene. It’s also highly recommended to sample local specialties like Owakudani black eggs and Owakudani curry for a distinctive flavor experience.

Continue your ropeway journey to Togendai Port. In the all-glass gondola, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the ever-changing Hakone Mountains, especially during the autumn foliage season from October to November, when the peaks turn vibrant red and yellow, beautifully contrasting with Lake Ashi’s azure waters. On clear days, Mt. Fuji appears almost within reach, more majestic from the ropeway than from the ground. The crowning touch is cruising on the sparkling Lake Ashi. You’ll get spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain, and the red Peace Torii of Hakone Shrine by the lake – all of Hakone’s iconic sights visible without obstruction.

In the end, your guide will accompany you on the return trip by local bus and express train to your hotel in Tokyo.

★ How We Improve Your Chances of Seeing Mt. Fuji

Although Mt. Fuji is a must-see in Japan, it’s only visible for about 80 days each year. Our special date-exchange service allows your guide to adjust your 2-day Tokyo schedule if the forecast for your scheduled Mt. Fuji tour calls for bad weather. Be aware that last-minute changes may limit us to buying only non-reserved tickets for bullet trains, as reserved tickets need to be booked a month in advance. We consider a 5% risk of no seat acceptable compared to a 50% increasing chance of seeing Mt. Fuji. Since no season guarantees optimal views, October through February are typically the best months for clear sightings. If seeing Mt. Fuji is your goal, join our autumn or winter groups.

On the last day, you’ll need to get to the airport on your own. Have a great trip! We hope our service has helped create fond memories for you!

If you want to explore more of Tokyo or extend your itinerary to include cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, we offer longer mini-group tours. Feel free to contact our travel consultants!

► Suggested Free Time Exploration on Your Own
If you have a few hours before your flight, consider a 5- to 15-minute walk from your hotel to Nihonbashi business district. Unlike the glass storefronts of Ginza and the neon-lit Shinjuku, this neighborhood, dotted with department stores, century-old shops, and art galleries, reflects Japan’s timeless old-money elegance dating back to the 17th century. From here, you can take the Ginza Line or the Skyliner to Narita International Airport, or take the Keikyu Airport Line directly to Haneda Airport.