Classic Tokyo with Hakone & Mt. Fuji

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival in Tokyo, meet our English-speaking assistant at the airport and take a shared car to the hotel we’ve carefully selected for you, offering an excellent location and top-notch service. Kindly note that if you arrive after 20:30, when the shared car is unavailable, you’ll need to get to the hotel independently or contact us to arrange a private pickup.

► Time and Cost for Airport-Hotel Transportation
From Narita Airport, the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner, along with the metro, takes less than 1.5 hours and costs around USD 20. In contrast, a taxi takes about an hour and costs USD 210-250. From Haneda Airport, the Keikyu Line and metro take about 40 minutes and cost only USD 5, whereas a taxi takes over 20 minutes and costs USD 90-110. Taxis are not recommended for the high prices unless you’re arriving late at night, carrying heavy luggage, sharing a ride with more than three people, or public transportation has stopped.

Over the next two days, your expert guide will lead you through Tokyo’s famous landmarks, immersing you in the essence of traditional Japanese culture and giving you an authentic glimpse into Tokyo’s daily life. Then, you’ll travel to Hakone, a popular suburban resort where you can enjoy its abundant natural scenery and the stunning Mt. Fuji. Despite being relatively short, this itinerary is well-organized with many highlights, and we promise there’s no shopping spot to waste your time. Rest early tonight and look forward to tomorrow’s adventure!

Today’s city tour demonstrates why Tokyo ranks high on many travel lists. Let’s start at the Tsukiji Outer Market, once the world’s largest fish market, which handled over 2,000 tons of seafood daily at its peak. Initially selling knives and kitchenware, the market has now become a sought-after hub for Tokyo’s food scene. You can savor the rich, oily flavor of freshly sliced tuna sashimi for JPY 500 (USD 3), indulge in the fluffy tamagoyaki with a hint of sweetness and an eggy aroma for just JPY 150 (USD 1), and even the seemingly simple grilled scallops are incredibly flavorful, with a buttery aroma and fresh scallop flesh, available for JPY 400 (USD 2.5), all offering great value.

Then, continue our visit to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled in the heart of Tokyo amidst an artificial forest of about 100,000 trees, which forms a natural barrier that blocks out outside noise and sights. Besides paying respects to Emperor Meiji (1852 - 1912) and Empress Shoken, who played vital roles in Japan’s history, holding a wedding at Meiji Jingu Shrine is also a prestigious and meaningful goal for many Japanese couples, despite the average cost being JPY 4 million (USD 27,000). Many Japanese celebrities also choose to hold their traditional wedding ceremonies here.

Our next stop is the Imperial Palace, originally the home of the Tokugawa Shoguns and later the residence of the royal family after Emperor Meiji moved the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868. Join your guide to walk through the Imperial Palace’s Outer Gardens, getting a close-up view of the sprawling black pine forest, the impressive statue of warrior Kusunoki Masashige (1294 - 1336), and popular sights like Nijubashi Bridge. Additionally, Chidorigafuchi, the northwestern moat of the Imperial Palace, is well-known for viewing cherry blossoms from late March to early April, where crowds gather to enjoy the vibrant pink blooms along the riverbank.

In the afternoon, follow the guide to catch a glimpse of old Tokyo in Asakusa area. Starting from the Kaminarimon Gate adorned with a giant red lantern, walk through the bustling Nakamise-dori Street, where you can experience the authentic Edo-style townscape. Along the way, immerse yourself in sampling Japanese snacks, selecting souvenirs, and even watching the Tokyo Skytree afar. Finally, we’ll stop at the Senso-ji Temple and its five-story pagoda. The saying that “You’re very likely to draw an unlucky fortune at Senso-ji Temple” might discourage you from drawing fortunes. In reality, the ratio of good to bad lots here is a long-standing tradition, while many other shrines have lowered the proportion of bad lots, leading to the misconception that Senso-ji has more bad luck. Even if you draw a bad one, you can tie it to a designated wooden frame to leave the bad luck behind, so don’t worry!

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

Meals: Breakfast

Today will be the highlight of your Tokyo trip as we’ll visit the Mt. Fuji. Your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you on a bullet train ride to Odawara Station, where you’ll experience the mountain train and the cable car one after the other, both of which have been climbing the Hakone Mountains for over a century. With a 736-meter (2415-foot) difference in altitude between the starting Odawara Station and the terminal of Sounzan Station, it boasts the highest climbing height among Japan’s mountain railways.

Arrive at Sounzan Station and let’s transfer to the ropeway to the Owakudani Valley, a volcanic area formed about 3,000 years ago. With ongoing volcanic activity, you can smell the sulfur-filled air and see white plumes constantly rising from the barren valley from the observation deck, creating a striking geological landscape. Additionally, it’s highly recommended to try the local specialties of Owakudani black eggs and Owakudani curry for a unique taste experience.

Then, continue our ropeway ride to Togendai Port. Sitting 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 gradually turn vibrant red and yellow, beautifully contrasting with the azure waters of the Lake Ashi. On clear days, Mt. Fuji appears almost within reach, even more majestic from the ropeway than from the ground. The most exciting part will be cruising on a pirate-style ship, with the sparkling Lake Ashi right below. Enjoy unmatched views of Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain, and the red Peace Torii of Hakone Shrine towering by the lake - all of Hakone’s symbolic sights are visible without obstruction. After completing all our visits in Hakone, the guide will accompany you on the return journey by local bus and express train to your hotel in Tokyo.

► How We Help You Get the Best View of Mt. Fuji
Many tourists include Mt. Fuji on their list of must-sees when visiting Japan. However, its visibility varies throughout the year, depending on the weather. While no season guarantees a perfect view, October to early November and December to February are generally the best times for clear sights. If you’re eager to see Mt. Fuji, consider booking our private tours, which offer flexible dates, allowing you to schedule your visit on the clearest possible day. Additionally, private tours can also extend your Hakone itinerary by a day or two to increase your chances of seeing Mt. Fuji. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Meals: Breakfast

On the last day of your Tokyo group tours, you’ll need to get to the airport by yourself. Have a great trip! We hope our service has helped create fond memories for you!

If you want to explore more of Tokyo and visit areas like Shibuya, Odaiba, Akihabara, or expand your itinerary to include cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, we offer group or private tours for you to choose from. Additionally, we can provide a customized itinerary tailored to your specific needs. Feel free to contact our travel consultants!

► Suggestions for Exploring on Your Own
If you have a few hours before your flight, take a 5 to 10-minute walk from your hotel to the Nihonbashi business district, centered on Nihonbashi Bridge, the zero-kilometer marker for Japan’s national highway network. Looking up, you can see a replica of bronze beasts above the expressway, creating a magical mix of ancient and modern. Compared to the glass windows of Ginza and the neon lights of Shinjuku, this district, home to department stores, century-old shops, and art galleries, embodies Japan’s enduring old-money elegance, characterized by calmness and sophistication that dates back to the 17th century. Before leaving Japan, immerse yourself in Tokyo’s most culturally rich commercial area! From here, you can take the Ginza Line and Skyliner to Narita International Airport or the Keikyu Airport Line directly to Haneda Airport.

Meals: Breakfast