Hakone Private Custom Tour: Mt. Fuji View, Nature & Shrine

Overview

What's included

What to expect

1. Gora Station

   Perched at the upper end of the Hakone Tozan Railway, Gora Station serves as a charming gateway to the highlands, where mountain air and a sense of refined nostalgia meet. Often described as the "heart of Hakone’s heights," this station is much more than a transit hub; it is a place where the rhythmic click-clack of the mountain trains gives way to a slower, more deliberate pace of exploration.

2. Hakone Ropeway

   Gliding silently through the sky, the Hakone Ropeway offers a journey that feels less like transportation and more like a moving panorama. As the gondola lifts you above the treetops, the landscape transforms beneath you—from the dramatic, steaming vents of Owakudani to the tranquil, mirror-like surface of Lake Ashi. On clear days, the majestic silhouette of Mount Fuji completes the picture, creating a breathtaking backdrop that leaves travelers in awe. It is a moment to suspend time, floating between the earth and the heavens, appreciating the raw power and quiet beauty of Hakone’s nature from a perspective few get to see.

3. Owakudani Valley

   Once a retreat for the Imperial Family, Onshi-Hakone Park offers panoramic views of Lake Ashi and, on clear days, majestic Mt. Fuji. This beautifully landscaped park combines Western-style gardens with traditional Japanese aesthetics, making it a perfect place to stroll and take in breathtaking scenery. The blend of history, elegance, and natural beauty gives travelers a unique perspective on Japan’s cultural refinement.

4. Lake Ashinoko

   Resting in the crater of an ancient volcano, Lake Ashi is the serene soul of Hakone, offering a landscape of stillness and reflection. The dark blue waters act as a mirror for the surrounding peaks, and on a clear morning, the iconic reflection of Mount Fuji creates a view that defines Japanese beauty. Visitors are drawn to the mystical sight of the vermilion torii gate of Hakone Shrine rising from the water, appearing to float between worlds. Whether viewed from the deck of a sightseeing cruise or a quiet shore, the lake commands a sense of reverence, blending the grandeur of nature with a deep, spiritual silence.

5. Hakone Pirate Ship

   Sailing across the calm waters of Lake Ashi, the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise—affectionately known as the Pirate Ship—adds a touch of whimsical adventure to the landscape. With their vivid colors and majestic masts, these vessels look as though they have sailed out of a storybook and onto the surface of the caldera lake. Standing on the open deck, travelers feel the cool lake breeze and watch the scenery glide by: the vermilion torii gate, the rolling mountains, and the distant peak of Mount Fuji. It is a delightful contrast of playful fantasy and natural grandeur, turning a simple crossing into a memorable voyage.

6. Hakone Shrine

   Shrouded in a dense forest of ancient cedars, Hakone Shrine stands as a spiritual guardian watching over the lake and the mountains. The approach to the main hall is lined with towering trees that seem to filter the sunlight into a soft, sacred glow, instantly calming the mind. While the iconic "Torii of Peace" standing in the waters of Lake Ashi is a famous symbol of harmony, the true essence of the shrine lies deep within the woods. Historically revered by shoguns and samurai for victory and protection, the shrine today offers a different kind of strength—a quiet, grounding energy that invites visitors to pause, reflect, and find balance amidst the grandeur of nature.

7. Onshi Hakone Park

   Occupying a majestic peninsula jutting into Lake Ashi, Hakone Onshi Park offers a glimpse into the refined leisure of the past. Once a summer retreat for the Imperial Family, this sprawling garden is a masterpiece of landscape design, where meticulously manicured hedges frame breathtaking vistas. Standing at the central observation deck, visitors command what is often called the "finest view in Hakone"—an unobstructed panorama of the lake’s blue waters backed by the sacred peak of Mount Fuji. It is a place of regal silence and open space, inviting you to stroll along the stone paths and breathe in the fresh air, surrounded by the elegance of a bygone era.

Good to know