Mount Fuji & Hakone, without the coach tour

• 

  Lake Kawaguchi

  The easiest of the Fuji Five Lakes to reach, with the mountain reflected on still mornings.

• 

  Oshino Hakkai

  Eight clear ponds fed by Fuji’s snowmelt, filtered through lava for decades. Best visited early, before the coach groups.

• 

  Lake Ashi

  A caldera lake with Fuji to the west, crossed by sightseeing boats between Hakone-machi and Togendai.

• 

  Owakudani

  A steaming volcanic valley reached by ropeway, where eggs boiled in the hot springs turn black. Access depends on volcanic activity.

• 

  Hakone Shrine

  A cedar-shaded shrine whose Torii of Peace stands in the water of Lake Ashi.

1. 07:30Hotel lobby pick-up in Tokyo by car with driver, or a reserved limited express from Shinjuku.
2. 09:30The 398 steps to the Chureito pagoda for the classic view of Fuji, while the sky is clearest.
3. 11:00Oshino Hakkai’s spring-fed ponds.
4. 12:30Lunch by Lake Kawaguchi; hoto noodles are the local specialty.
5. 14:00The lakeshore and a viewpoint chosen for the day’s light and cloud.
6. 16:00Return to Tokyo, arriving in the early evening, traffic depending.

• Fuji hides in cloud more often than not, especially in summer. Mario watches the forecast and, if needed, swaps the day with another on your itinerary.
• Combining Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes in one day is possible by car but rushed; choose one, or stay a night.
• A night in a Hakone ryokan with a private onsen and kaiseki dinner is one of the great experiences of Japan; the best rooms book months ahead.
• Luggage forwarding lets you travel to Hakone with a small bag while suitcases go straight to your Kyoto hotel.

From ¥84,000 · long day trip · beyond 8 h · for the whole private group

Mario travels from Kansai; his train fare (and hotel if overnight) is added at cost. Trains, admissions, meals and any private car with driver are paid separately, at cost. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. All prices

1. 01

   Kyoto

   Kiyomizu-dera · Fushimi Inari Taisha · Arashiyama

   Full day · 8 h · Private group

   ¥69,600for the whole private group
2. 02

   Tokyo

   Senso-ji and Kaminarimon · Meiji Jingu · Shibuya

   Full day · 8 h · Private group

   ¥69,600for the whole private group
3. 03

   Osaka & Nara

   Osaka Castle · Dotonbori · Kuromon Market

   Full day · 8 h · Private group

   ¥69,600for the whole private group
4. 04

   Nikko & Kamakura

   Shinkyo Bridge · Kegon Falls · Lake Chuzenji

   Long day trip · beyond 8 h · Private group

   from ¥84,000for the whole private group