Instead of the typical tourist destinations that everyone goes to, you will visit relatively quiet places to avoid the crowds. You have lunch at a reserved restaurant near Lake Ashi without waiting in line. If you take Odakyu Romance car “Mt. Fuji No.1” leaving Shinjuku at 06:40 a.m., you will arrive at Gotemba station at 08:13 a.m. Weather permitting, you can see magnificent Mount Fuji from the train window and the town of Gotemba. How about starting a one-day tour from Gotemba, shall we?
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Gotemba station
- I will be waiting for you in front of the ticket gate. I hold a piece of paper that says “Let’s Enjoy Hakone!”
Take a bus from Gotemba station to Hakone-Sengoku
You purchase Hakone Free Pass at the Tourist Information near Gotemba station before getting on a bus.
Choan-ji Temple, famous for its 500 arhats (stone statues)
Built in 1658, Choan-ji Temple is famous for its 500 rakan (enlightened desciples) statues. Each statue has its own facial expression, so no two are exactly alike. You can find those statues here and there in the garden, in the forest, even in the pond. Please enjoy the scenery of the four seasons at this temple.
Lunch at a restaurant in a well-known hotel near Lake Ashi
You have a buffet style lunch at a restaurant. If time permits, you can walk by the lake.
Ride Komagatake Ropeway and Visit Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine
During a seven-minute ropeway ride, you can see Lake Ashi spreading out below and beautiful Mount Fuji beyond the mountains. On a clear day, Suruga Bay, Sagami Bay and Izu Oshima Island can be seen from the top of the mountain. You take a stroll and visit Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine.
Visit Hakone Shrine and Kuzuryu Shrine
Built on the edge of Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine is one of the popular tourist destinations. According to legend, this Shinto shrine was founded in 757. You also visit Kuzuryu Shrine, which honors the nine-headed dragon deity known as the protector of Lake Ashi.
Board a Pirate Ship and Enjoy Cruising on Lake Ashi
It is a 25-minute cruise from Motohakone Port to Togendai Port. During the cruise, passengers can see the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine.
Take a bus bound for Gotemba
If you choose Hakone-Yumoto station as Ending Point, I will guide you to the station. Please let me know about it in advance.
Ending Point
JR Gotemba station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
- Guide fee
- Hakone Free Pass (for you and your guide) 5,000 yen per person
- the fare for Komagatake Ropeway (for you and your guide) 1,620 yen per person (This is a discounted rate for Hakone Free Pass holders)
- lunch at a restaurant (for you) about 4,500 yen per person
- food and drink
* If you are coming from Shinjuku to Gotemba, Odakyu Romance Car “Mt. Fuji No.1” leaving Shinjuku at 06:40 AM is a convenient option. You will arrive at Gotemba station at 08:13.
* If you are going to Shinjuku from Gotemba after the tour, Odakyu Romance Car “Mt. Fuji No.6” leaving Gotemba at 05:23 PM or Odakyu Highway Bus are available.
* Before getting on a bus, please purchase Hakone Free Pass for you and your guide. It makes your trip efficient and economical. (5,000 yen per person)
* Hakone Free Pass includes transportation fee for Odakyu Bus, Hakone Tozan Bus, Hakone Ropeway, Sightseeing Cruise, Moutain Train, etc.
* Please note that the fare for Komagatake Ropeway is not included in the free pass. Please buy tickets for you and your guide.
* The operations of ropeway, cruise ship and other transportation might be suspended due to strong wind or bad weather. Please let me talk with you about the itinerary in that case.
* Hakone is a very popular resort area and always crowded with tourists. Please note that the itinerary may change slightly. Let me discuss it with you in that case.
* Reservation is required for lunch at a restaurant. Let me make sure if there are any tables available before you book this tour.
* Please send a message to confirm my availability before booking.
* yen=Japanese yen
Hello, I am Yumiko, a government licensed tour guide. I was born and raised in Aichi prefecture. I have lived in Gotemba City at the foot of Mt. Fuji for over 35 years since I moved from Tokyo. Needless to say, Mt. Fuji is a symbol of Japan. It shows many faces depending on the seasons and time of the day. Many tourists visit here to see Mt. Fuji from home and abroad every year.
Gotemba is located halfway between Hakone and Fuji five lakes area. And it is easily accessible from Tokyo. You can come to Gotemba from Shinjuku in Tokyo by Odakyu highway bus or Odakyu limited express train without any transfers. Please visit attractive sightseeing spots in Gotemba, such as Chichibunomiya Memorial Park, Tokino Sumika and Gotemba Premium Outlets, the biggest outlet mall in Japan.
I love eating, chatting, traveling abroad and meeting people. And I enjoy tea ceremony and ballroom dancing.
I would be happy if I could show you around Gotemba and Hakone area. I am looking forward to seeing you soon!
Paige P.
“Great tour for Gotemba ”
We did a tour of the beautiful town Gotemba on April 15! Yumiko was able to show us some amazing cherry blossoms across a variety of parks and gardens. We also saw Mt. Fuji it was very beautiful. Thank you Yumiko for your friendly tour and hopefully we can visit Gotemba again one day!
Yumiko K.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting Gotemba. I am happy you enjoyed the cherry blossom viewing and Mount Fuji. We walked over 23,000 steps yesterday. It was a pleasure to show you around Gotemba. Please visit here again to see big Mount Fuji someday. I put up your photo on my profile page. Thank you again!
Eric R.
“An unforgettable trip to a breathtaking part of Japan”
Yumiko-San was an absolutely amazing tour guide! She helped us plan beforehand, and was very flexible with adjustments to the schedule. She was knowledgeable about the area, took us to some amazing places, and had everything prepared before that. Using the public transportation was a breeze with her help! But best of all, she was extremely kind and lovely to chat with. We had a great time talking about travel, family, everything! If you come to Hakone, absolutely consider going with Yumiko-San. Finally, if you see this Yumiko-San, then thank you again from the bottom of our hearts! My dad and I will never forget the adventure we had with you.
Yumiko K.
Your thoughtful message means a lot to me. It is I who should be sincerely thanking you. I feel very lucky to guide such kind, friendly and broad-minded guests. The weather was not perfect, but I hope you will bring back some happy memories of your time in Hakone to your countries. Please visit Hakone again and stay at that beautiful hotel someday. Wishing you very best of health and happiness. PS. Thank you for beautiful pictures! I put up your pictures I took on my tour page. Thank you again!
Christine B.
“Trip of our dreams”
Yumiko was so kind and patient with our group. She was always so helpful and answered any questions we had. She brought the sunshine and we had a great day. Would highly recommend using her services while in Hakone.
Yumiko K.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm message. I was lucky and happy, because everyone was so nice to me. I have posted your photos on my tour page. It will be a pleasant memory for me too! I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable trip during your stay in Japan. Sunshine Yumiko
$266/ per group