Hakone Autumn Highlights Tour – Strolling through Pampas Grass Fields
Joined 2024
The departure point for this tour is Gotemba, the western gateway to Hakone, and the final destination is Hakone-Yumoto, the eastern one to Hakone. Weather permitting, you can see magnificent Mount Fuji from the town of Gotemba. While autumn is highly recommended for this tour, it is enjoyable at any time of year. The best time to see autumn leaves is from late October to mid-November in Hakone. Your guide will help you get around tourist attractions efficiently and smoothly.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At around the ticket gate of JR Gotemba station
- I have a piece of paper that says “Let’s Enjoy Hakone!” If you are coming to Gotemba from Shinjuku, Odakyu Romance Car “Mt. Fuji No.1” leaving Shinjuku Station at 06:40 AM is a convenient option. You will arrive at Gotemba station at 08:13.
Take a bus to Hakone Sengoku
Before getting on a bus, you need to buy Hakone Free-Pass at Tourist Information for you and your guide.
It is a 20-minute ride.
Visit Choan-ji Temple
This temple was originally established in 1356, and was moved to its current location in Sengokuhara. Choan-ji Temple is famous for its 500 rakan (enlightened disciples) 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.
Visit Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields
The best time to see Japanese pampas grass is generally from late September to mid-November, though this can vary year to year.
Visit Hakone Shrine & 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.
Lunch at Motohakone Port
Board the Pirate Ship and Enjoy Cruising on Lake Ashi
It is a 25-minute cruise from Motohakone Port to Togendai Port.
Take Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani
Owakudani Valley
Owakudani Valley is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The valley was created by the landslide of Hakone volcano about 3,000 years ago. If time permits, you can explore Owakudani for about 20 minutes. If not, you can see the activity from the ropeway and enjoy the splendid view along the way.
Take a Cable Car
Visit Hakone Museum of Art （closed on Thursdays）
This museum is known for not only the collection of Japanese ceramics, but its beautiful Japanese garden. The autumn foliage is especially very beautiful and attracts many tourists from home and abroad. You can have Macha green tea and Japanese sweets at a teahouse if you wish.
Visit Hakone Gora Park
Opened in 1914, Gora Park is considered to be Japan’s first French-style garden. You will walk towards Gora Station while taking a stroll.
Take the Hakone Mountain Train from Gora station to Hakone-Yumoto station
Hakone Mountain Train is renowned for its steep gradients, sharp curves, and the beautiful natural scenery. It is a 40-minute ride to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
Hakone-Yumoto Station
You will arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station at around 5:00 - 5:30 PM
Ending Point
Hakone-Yumoto Station (Gotemba Station is an option if you prefer)
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- guide fee
- Hakone Free-Pass (for you and your guide) 5,000 yen per person/adult
- admission to Hakone Museum of Art (for you) /1,430 yen per person/adult
(Hakone Free-Pass holders can get a 200 yen discout)
- admission to Hakone Gora Park (for you) 650 yen per person/adult
(admission is free for Hakone Free-Pass holders)
- lunch (for you)
- food & drink (for you)
Tour Important Information
* Hakone Gora Park is closed on September 1st, 2025 for maintenance. You visit another sightseeing spot on that day.
* Hakone Museum of Art is closed on Thursdays. You visit another sightseeing spot on Thursdays.
* You can choose Gotemba station as the ending point if you wish.
* This tour requires Hakone Free-Pass to make your trip efficient and economical. Please purchase the pass for you and your guide before getting on a bus. (5,000 yen per person/adult).
* Hakone Free-Pass is a great value and includes transportation fee for Odakyu Bus, Hakone Tozan Bus, Hakone Ropeway, Sightseeing Cruise, Mountain Train, etc. Just show the pass to a bus driver and you can visit many places in Hakone.
* The operations of ropeway, cruise ship and other transportation might be suspended due to strong wind or bad weather. Please let me discuss the itinerary in that case.
* If you take Odakyu Romance car “Mt. Fuji No.1” leaving Shinjuku Station 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.
* Please send a message to confirm my availability before booking.
* yen=Japanese yen
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Yumiko K.
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!
Reviews
Athena W.
“Fascinating and fun a zone dyeing and beautiful Mt Fuji onsen”
Yumiko is a wonderful guide. Her English is very good and we were able to ask many questions of the indigo master with her help. The onsen she selected was beautiful and we had an incredible view of Mt. Fuji. She was a pleasure to be with and took us to a delicious sushi restaurant as well. I highly recommend this tour.
Yumiko K.
I sincerely appreciate your kind review of my tour. I am in the process of uploading some photos to my web page. To A., Thank you so much for joining my tour. You all are friendly and full of curiosity. Please enjoy the rest of your trip! To E., It was a pleasure talking with you. You look good in navy blue. Have a wonderful trip! To S., I started watching the animation “Kusuriya no hitorigoto” again on the website. The story is getting more interesting. Thank you! I wish you all the best in Japan.
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!
$278/ per group
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