8:00 JRTokyo Station Marunouchi North Exit (Gathering on and off the bus package)
【Starting from December 1, 2024, the meeting point at Tokyo Station will be changed to:
08:00, in front of the BEAMS sign at the Shin-Marunouchi Building, JR Tokyo Station (for pickup and drop-off package).
Address: 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-6590, Japan, Shin-Marunouchi Building.】
8:30 Shinjuku West Exit Sumitomo Mitsui Bank entrance (Gathering on and off the bus package)
* We will not wait for late arrivals, so it is recommended to wait at the meeting location 10 minutes before departure.
10:30 Gotemba    
▼ Hakone Shrine and the Floating Torii Gate on Lake Ashi (Approx. 80 minutes, free time)
Lake Ashi, located in the Hakone Mountains, is a volcanic lake that formed around 3,000 years ago. It is one of the largest lakes in Kanagawa Prefecture. A popular tourist destination, it is also renowned for its stunning views of Mount Fuji. The iconic red torii gate standing in the middle of Lake Ashi is the landmark of Hakone Shrine.
Hakone Shrine
Founded in 757 by the monk Makimaki, Hakone Shrine is located on Mount Hakone, a historically sacred mountain for Japanese mountain worship. It has long been revered by many warriors, including Minamoto no Yoritomo and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Hakone Shrine is highly respected as the head shrine of the Hakone Gongen, the protector deity of the Kanto region. It is widely believed to bring blessings for traffic safety, wish fulfillment, love success, and good fortune while dispelling misfortune.
Floating Torii Gate
The sight of the torii gate reflected on the surface of Lake Ashi, with the outline of Mount Fuji in the background, is an absolutely breathtaking view. It is hard to find words to describe the scene other than "spectacular."
Recommended Photo Spot:
Chokokun Art Museum (optional, self-paid) - Café viewpoint where you can enjoy both the beautiful scenery of Lake Ashi and masterpieces of modern Japanese painting.
Address: 570 Motohakone, Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The museum features around 4,000 works by master artists of modern Japanese painting, including famous pieces like "Cat" by Yuzo Kayama. The first floor also has a viewing platform where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Ashi. Through a 50-meter-long glass window, you can see the stunning view of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains, a picturesque and captivating sight.
12:10 Hakone
Hakone Pirate Ship - Motohakone Port to Togendai Port Route (Approx. 25 minutes; if you do not take the pirate ship, you will be transferred by coach to the Togendai Ropeway Station).
The sightseeing pirate ship on Lake Ashi is a special experience – enjoy a leisurely cruise on the lake and take in the beautiful scenery.
The Hakone sightseeing ships are one of the top attractions on Lake Ashi. The three ports around the lake—Hakone Town Port, Motohakone Port, and Togendai Port—offer sightseeing cruises. The three ships are the Royal II (Southern European Royal Sun), Victory, and Queen Ashi Lake.
Starting from Motohakone Port, you can enjoy a view of the giant torii gate, Mount Fuji, and Lake Ashi all at once. Therefore, it is highly recommended to embark from Motohakone Port! On a clear day, the sparkling lake and blue sky together create a magnificent, picturesque scene.
Motohakone Port to Togendai Port:
The pirate ship takes about 30 minutes one way (additional fee required).

 
12:40 Hakone
Hakone Ropeway – Togendai Station to Owakudani Route (Approx. 30 minutes, cable car fee included)
The Hakone Ropeway offers stunning views, especially between Owakudani and Ubako, where you can enjoy beautiful views of Mount Fuji. The first half of the journey, between Ubako and Togendai, mainly provides a scenic view of Lake Ashi's volcanic caldera.
Special Notes: The ropeway will be under maintenance from February 3 to February 21, 2025, and during this period, travelers will be transferred by coach to Owakudani.
13:10 Owakudani (about 1 Hour)
▼ Owakudani – Experience the Volcanic Beauty that Shapes Hakone (Approx. 50 minutes, free time)
Owakudani is located in the southeastern corner of Mount Fuji, within Hakone City, and is one of Hakone's most famous tourist attractions. The area is the site of volcanic activity that occurred about 4,000 years ago during the final stages of the Hakone volcano's eruption, leaving behind a volcanic crater. Most of the spring water in Owakudani is toxic. It wasn’t until Emperor Meiji visited the area in 1876 that it was renamed Owakudani.
Famous Owakudani Delicacy – Black Eggs
Take a 15-minute walk from the Natural Research Path to the smoke-filled area, where you will find a small shop called "Tamago Chaya." Here, they prepare the famous black eggs, which are said to "add seven years to your life" when eaten. The eggs are boiled for one hour in a hot spring pool at about 80°C, then steamed for 15 minutes at 100°C. The reason the eggs turn black is due to a reaction between the iron in the hot spring water and the tiny pores on the eggshell, creating a black iron oxide coating.
 
15:00 Yamanakako
▼ Shiratori-hama, Lake Yamanaka – A Perfect Spot to Capture Swans and Mount Fuji in the Same Frame (Approx. 20 minutes)
At Lake Yamanaka, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, there is a scenic area known as "Shiratori-hama" (White Swan Beach), where large numbers of swans gather. This area is not only great for observing wild birds but also an ideal location for photographing swans with the majestic Mount Fuji in the background. The swans here are quite friendly due to frequent feeding by visitors.
15:40 Yamanashi
▼ Oshino Hakkai (Approx. 40 minutes)
Oshino Hakkai refers to eight clear spring ponds formed by the snowmelt from Mount Fuji that has filtered through the earth's layers. Known for its beautiful natural surroundings, the ponds sparkle with the reflection of Mount Fuji, creating a stunning, picturesque scene. Oshino Hakkai has become a popular spot for photographers, attracting visitors from far and wide. It is also a nationally designated natural monument.
16:20 Return to Tokyo
The return time is for reference only. You may return earlier due to smooth itinerary, good road conditions, etc. on the day.
(The driving distance is approx.1.5hours~2hours drive)
18:20 Tokyo    
Arrive at the entrance of Mitsui Sumitomo Bank, JR Tokyo Station / Shinjuku West Exit., a happy end to the day's itinerary!
VIPs who have a boarding and alighting package can break up the group directly at Tokyo Station or Shinjuku to end their trip.
VIP guests of the hotel and B&B pick-up package please wait for the shuttle bus to arrive and arrange to return to the hotel./The trip ends at the B&B.
Note: 
Starting from June 1, 2024, on the following days( weekends and special days), the meeting time will be advanced by 30 minutes:
Involved dates:
June: 1,2,8,9,15,16,22,23,29,30
July: 6,7,13,14,15,20,21,27,28
August: 3,4,10,11,12,17,18,24,25,31
September: 1,7,8,14,15,16,21,22,23,28,29
October: 5,6,12,13,14,19,20,26,27
November: 2,3,4,9,10,16,17,23,24,30
December: 1,7,8,14,15,21,22,28,29