Panoramic Tokyo with Hakone & Mt. Fuji

Today is our day to explore traditional Tokyo. After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel and head to the Tsukiji Outer Market, famous for its sushi and sashimi (raw fish slices). Surrounded by the sea, the Japanese take pride in their abundance of fresh seafood, which has led to a distinct Japanese-style raw food culture, as they believe that raw food signifies freshness and nutritional value. Therefore, in addition to sashimi, raw chicken, beef, horse meat, and raw eggs are also commonly used in Japanese cuisine. Many stalls lining the narrow alleys offer tastings of fresh tuna, salmon, etc., allowing you to sample seafood shipped directly from the docks.

Next, follow your guide to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852-1912 AD) and his Empress Shoken. Our journey begins at the majestic Torii, a 1,500-year-old cypress gate that marks the entrance to a peaceful oasis hidden away from busy Tokyo. According to Shinto belief, stepping on the purifying pebbles cleanses one’s thoughts. In front of the main hall, a steady stream of worshippers comes to pray, write their wishes on painted wooden Ema, and participate in traditional ceremonies. Visiting during the Spring Festival between late April and early May or the Autumn Festival in early November, you’ll have the chance to see performances of traditional Japanese drama, dance, and music.Then, we’ll visit the Imperial Palace, the official residence of Japan’s Imperial Family since 1868. Once home to the 15th-century Edo Castle, the grounds are protected by a moat and towering stone walls. The former castle’s inner defenses now feature traditional Japanese landscaped gardens, a popular spot for Tokyo residents to relax, run, and exercise. From the Chrysanthemum Gate to the Nijubashi Bridge and the Pine Pagoda, the Imperial Palace’s architecture is a harmonious mix of traditional Japanese style and modern design, reflecting the essence of Japanese culture.

In the afternoon, we’ll move on to the Senso-ji Temple. Despite being Tokyo’s oldest and most important Buddhist temple, it doesn’t feel solemn like most temples, but it provides a fun way to experience Japanese traditions that date back to the 17th century. Passing through the giant red lantern of Kaminarimon Gate onto the busy Nakamise-dori Street, nearly 90 stalls with nostalgic wooden facades and colorful signs sell everything from freshly baked doll-shaped desserts to handmade souvenirs like folding fans, traditional dolls, and yukata bathrobes. When you reach the main hall and the five-story pagoda, be sure to admire their detailed architecture, with striking, sweeping eaves that evoke old Tokyo. Overlooking Tokyo Skytree afar, the cityscape beautifully combines modernity and tradition. Finally, your guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfas

Meeting your guide at the hotel this morning, we’ll say goodbye to Tokyo’s skyscrapers and head to Hakone, just an hour away by train. After boarding the Hakone Tozan Train in Odawara, which winds through lush mountain scenery, enjoy views of waterfalls cascading past traditional Japanese mountain houses, resembling a romantic anime scene. Switching to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car makes the experience even more thrilling: the carriage climbs at nearly a 45-degree angle, revealing a deep valley and forest below, with the contours of the Hakone Mountains stretching out in the distance.

After ascending to Sounzan Station, take the ropeway to Owakudani Valley, where you can witness the Earth’s primal forces - clouds of steam, bubbling hot springs, and a strong sulfur smell filling the air - through floor-to-ceiling windows that offer 360-degree views. On clear days, the snow-capped peak of Mt. Fuji adds a stunning backdrop to this dramatic landscape. Another must-try is black eggs, named for the blackened shells they develop when cooked in the hot springs. Eating one is said to add seven years to your life!

Then, continue your journey with your guide on a cruise across Lake Ashi, formed thousands of years ago by a volcanic eruption and once a major shipping route in Eastern Japan. Beyond the lush forests and rolling hills, the vermilion Hakone Shrine Peace Torii, and the eye-catching pirate ship, what makes Lake Ashi one of Japan’s iconic sights is the majestic Mt. Fuji rising afar. As a symbol of belief and cultural sentiment in the Japanese psyche, the mountain even influenced the layout of Tokyo. In 17th-century maps, which often used Mt. Fuji as their backdrop, the Shogun’s castle was frequently positioned to face Mt. Fuji, and many places in Tokyo are named with a prefix indicating that Mt. Fuji can be seen from that location. Finally, your guide will escort you back to the hotel in Tokyo.

► Date-Changing Service for Better Views of Mt. Fuji
Why is seeing Mt. Fuji so exciting and considered lucky? It turns out the mountain is rarely visible, being seen less than a third of the year. We recommend visiting between October and February, when the weather is dry and sunny, rather than June through August, when visibility is at its worst. Your guide will keep an eye on Tokyo’s weather and do their best to plan your Mt. Fuji sightseeing in Hakone on a clear day.

Meals: Breakfas

On the last day of our Tokyo group tour, please check out of the hotel and proceed to the airport or your next destination on your own. If you’d like to add stops in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, or other destinations, we offer relevant mini-group tours for your consideration; feel free to contact us!

► Recommended Tourist Spot for Your Final Free Time
Just a 15-minute walk from the 4-star hotel or four stops on the Hibiya Line from Kayabacho Metro Station, right next to the 3-star hotel, is the famous Ginza, where timeless tradition blends with cutting-edge futurism in sleek, design-rich buildings. Stroll along its wide, tree-lined boulevards, where theaters, flagship stores of international brands, and modern art museums rub shoulders. Discover hidden gems like century-old kimono shops and art galleries tucked away in basements, and devour a matcha latte or top-notch sushi at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Finally, you can take the Airport Bus Tyo-NRT directly from Ginza Station to Narita Airport (taxi costs USD 220-260), or the Asakusa-Keikyu Airport Line from Higashi-ginza Station to Haneda Airport (taxi costs USD 55-65).

Meals: Breakfas