Private 2-Day Tour: Mt Fuji Hakone & Kamakura + Onsen Ryokan

The best part of this 2-day private tour is the way it links several of Japan’s big sights without making you change hotels each night. You see Mount Fuji from lakeside parks and shrine steps, sleep in a Hakone ryokan, soak in hot water, then continue to Owakudani, Odawara Castle, and Kamakura before returning to Tokyo.

I like the private vehicle, since Fuji visibility and Tokyo-area traffic can make a fixed group schedule awkward. I also like the overnight ryokan stay, which gives the trip a real Japanese rhythm: hot spring time, a multi-course dinner, and a traditional breakfast. The tradeoff is a packed second day, with about 10 hours of touring and several short stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Fuji views come in several forms: Lake Kawaguchi, Arakura Sengen Shrine, Oshino Hakkai, and Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine each offer a different setting.
• The ryokan stay is the heart of the trip: You get an onsen experience, kaiseki dinner, regional food, and a Japanese breakfast.
• A private van makes the route practical: Pickup and drop-off are available at hotels and Airbnbs inside Tokyo’s 23 wards.
• The second day covers a lot: Lake Ashi, Owakudani, Odawara Castle, Kamakura Daibutsu, and possibly Yokohama Chinatown.
• Keith is praised as a helpful guide: When he is assigned to your trip, expect answers to questions, local tips, and a flexible pace.
• Weather matters: Fuji may be hidden by cloud, and the route can change because of visibility or traffic.

Why this private Fuji route works

Mt Fuji is not a single stop. It is a large mountain seen from many angles, and the views can change quickly with cloud, haze, and traffic. This tour gives you several chances to see it instead of betting the whole trip on one lookout.

The private format matters here. You travel in a Toyota Alphard or Hiace, with pickup at your Tokyo hotel, Airbnb, or another requested address inside the 23 wards. You are not waiting for a large group to take photos or finish lunch. The driver can also adjust the order of stops if traffic or weather makes that sensible.

This is not a slow countryside tour. You cover a lot of ground in two days. The first day moves from Tokyo into Yamanashi and then across to Hakone. The second day continues through Hakone, Odawara, Kamakura, and possibly Yokohama. I would choose it if you want broad coverage and a comfortable private ride, not if you want long, quiet walks at every stop.

Lake Kawaguchi and Oishi Park

The first major stop is Lake Kawaguchi, with time at Oishi Park for a relaxed morning walk and photographs. On a clear day, the lake gives you one of the classic Fuji views, with open water and the mountain rising beyond it.

The listed stop is about 30 minutes, so keep your expectations sensible. This is enough time to stretch your legs, take photographs, and enjoy the setting, but not enough for a long lakeside outing. Your guide may adjust the timing depending on traffic and the day’s conditions.

Fuji views are never guaranteed. The tour runs in rain or shine except in extreme conditions, and the route may change if cloud blocks the mountain. That is one reason the multiple viewpoints are useful.

Arakura Sengen Shrine and the famous pagoda view

Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is the photo stop many people picture when they think of Fuji sightseeing. The five-story Chureito Pagoda is set above the surrounding town, with Mount Fuji behind it when visibility is good.

You should expect walking and stairs here. The stop lasts about an hour, which allows time to reach the viewpoint, take photographs, and look around the shrine grounds. Comfortable shoes are important, especially if the weather is wet.

The view is famous, so it can feel more crowded than the quieter shrine stops on this route. Still, it earns its place. The pagoda, trees, town, and mountain create a distinctly Japanese scene that is difficult to duplicate elsewhere.

Oshino Hakkai and Kitaguchi Hongu Shrine

The route then visits Oshino Hakkai, a group of clear spring ponds fed by water from Mount Fuji. You get about an hour for walking, sightseeing, and browsing. The water and rural setting offer a calmer break after the more demanding shrine viewpoint.

A traditional Houtou lunch from Yamanashi is included. This regional noodle dish is a useful change from the standard restaurant meal, and it gives the first day a local food stop rather than a quick snack in the van.

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine follows, with about 30 minutes to look around. This shrine has a strong connection to the traditional pilgrimage route to Fuji-san. Its wooded grounds and religious importance provide a contrast to the postcard view at Arakura.

I like having both shrines in the same day. Arakura is about the view, while Kitaguchi Hongu gives you a better sense of Fuji worship and pilgrimage. The short visit at Kitaguchi means you will not have time for a slow, detailed exploration, but the stop still adds cultural balance.

The Hakone ryokan and onsen evening

The first day ends at a traditional Hakone ryokan, listed as Tōnosawa Ichinoyu Honkan. This overnight stay is the main reason to choose this tour over a long day trip from Tokyo.

After sightseeing, you have several hours for the onsen experience. Bring a change of clothes and warm clothing, since temperatures can shift around Fuji and Hakone. The ryokan setting gives you time to slow down rather than returning to Tokyo after a full day on the road.

Dinner is a traditional kaiseki meal using seasonal ingredients and fresh seafood. The exact menu can change, but you can expect a multi-course Japanese dinner rather than one large plate. A traditional breakfast follows the next morning, with fresh fish, rice, pickles, and miso soup.

One point needs checking when you book: the experience information describes an onsen stay, while a detailed booking account refers to a private onsen. Ask the operator what kind of bathing arrangement is included for your room and date. That small question can matter if private bathing is important to you.

Lake Ashi by sightseeing boat

Day two begins with a boat ride on Lake Ashi. The boat departs at 9:30 AM and takes about 45 minutes to Togendai Port. You will see the lake, surrounding hills, and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.

The boat ride is a welcome change from the van. You are not simply stopping at another viewpoint. You are moving across the water and seeing Hakone from a different angle.

The drawback is timing. Since the cruise has a set departure, you need to be ready after breakfast. If traffic or weather affects the schedule, the driver may need to adjust other stops. Keep your morning organized and do not plan a long private bath or leisurely breakfast beyond the time provided.

Owakudani’s sulfur vents and black eggs

At Owakudani, you enter a volcanic valley formed by Hakone’s geothermal activity. Sulfur vents, steaming ground, and the smell of minerals give the stop a more dramatic feel than the lake and shrine visits.

You have about 45 minutes here for sightseeing, photographs, and shopping. The famous black eggs are boiled in sulfuric hot springs and are the local snack associated with the valley. They are a fun thing to try, though the visit is short.

Owakudani is also one of the better places on the route for another Fuji view, provided the air is clear. Conditions can affect access and visibility, so treat this stop as a chance rather than a promise. The volcanic valley itself remains interesting even when Fuji is hidden.

Odawara Castle in 45 minutes

Odawara Castle gives the second day a dose of samurai history. You can walk through the grounds, visit the museum, and go to the top for broad views over the surrounding area.

The scheduled visit is about 45 minutes, making this more of an introduction than a full castle visit. If you enjoy museums and historical displays, you may wish you had longer. If you mainly want the castle exterior, garden walk, and a quick look at the exhibits, the time should work.

The short stop also shows the basic character of this tour. You see many important places, but you do not have unlimited time at any one of them. Tell your driver early if Odawara Castle is a personal priority, since private tours may allow some adjustment.

Kamakura’s Great Buddha

The Kamakura stop focuses on the Daibutsu, the huge bronze Great Buddha. The statue is over 13 meters tall and is one of Japan’s most recognizable religious monuments.

About 30 minutes is scheduled here. That gives you time to see the statue, take photographs, and absorb the scale of the site. It is not enough for a broad tour of Kamakura’s temples and streets, so do not book this expecting a full Kamakura day.

Even with limited time, the Great Buddha is a strong final sightseeing stop. After two days of Fuji viewpoints, shrines, hot springs, and volcanic terrain, the statue shifts the mood toward Kamakura’s Buddhist heritage.

Yokohama Chinatown, if time allows

The route may include a quick stop in Yokohama Chinatown before returning to Tokyo. The stop is listed at around 30 minutes and may include walking, shopping, and photographs.

This is optional in practice because the day already includes the lake cruise, Owakudani, Odawara, and Kamakura. Traffic can also make the final return unpredictable. I would treat Chinatown as a bonus, not a reason to book the tour.

Lunch on the second day is not included, so budget for that meal yourself. The private format may help you discuss timing with the driver, but the supplied information does not promise a particular restaurant or menu.

What the $838 price means

At $838 per person, this is an expensive tour, but the price covers more than transport. It includes two days of private driving, hotel pickup and drop-off within Tokyo’s 23 wards, entrance fees to the listed sites, Houtou lunch on the first day, a ryokan night, onsen time, dinner, breakfast, and the Lake Ashi boat ride.

The value improves with a small private group. A couple or family can spread the cost across a private vehicle and avoid paying separately for a Tokyo to Fuji transfer, a Hakone overnight stay, local sightseeing transport, and several admissions.

The value is weaker if you want to travel slowly or if the ryokan and onsen do not interest you. You are paying for convenience, route coverage, and a Japanese overnight experience. The price is less attractive for someone who only wants a Fuji photo and a short Hakone visit.

The private driver is a major part of the value. One booking specifically praises Keith for answering many questions, sharing tips, and allowing plenty of time at the stops. That kind of help can make a busy route much easier, though guide assignment may vary.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want Fuji, Hakone, and Kamakura in one organized trip. It is also a good fit if you value hotel pickup, dislike changing trains and buses, or want a private pace.

The tour suits people who want a mixture of scenery, food, religious sites, history, and bathing. The ryokan dinner and breakfast give it more character than a standard sightseeing transfer.

I would hesitate if you need a slow pace, have difficulty with stairs or extended walking, or want a detailed visit to every Kamakura temple. Arakura Sengen Shrine involves stairs, and the two-day schedule can feel full. Bring comfortable shoes, warm layers, and a change of clothes.

Cancellation terms should be read carefully. The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance according to the booking information, while the detailed fee schedule lists no charge seven days or more before check-in, then increasing charges from six days before arrival through the day of the tour. If your plans are uncertain, confirm which policy applies to your booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum Fuji-area coverage with minimum transport hassle and you like the idea of sleeping in a Hakone ryokan. The strongest features are the private van, the range of Fuji viewpoints, the onsen evening, and the included dinner and breakfast.

Skip it if you prefer to focus on one region at a slower pace. The route is ambitious, and cloud or traffic can reduce time at later stops. For the right person, though, this is a well-rounded two-day introduction to Mount Fuji, Hakone, and Kamakura, with a traditional Japanese overnight experience at its center.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off are available at hotels, Airbnbs, and other requested locations inside Tokyo’s 23 wards. The tour returns to Tokyo, including Ginza or another central Tokyo location.

What type of vehicle is used?

Transportation is provided in a private Toyota Alphard or Toyota Hiace.

Which languages does the driver speak?

The driver service is available in English and Chinese.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience is arranged as a private group tour with a private vehicle and driver.

What meals are included?

The tour includes a Houtou lunch on the first day, a traditional Japanese dinner at the ryokan, and a traditional Japanese breakfast. Lunch on the second day is not included.

Is the Lake Ashi boat ride included?

Yes. The Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise is included. It departs at 9:30 AM, takes about 45 minutes, and finishes at Togendai Port.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing, and a change of clothes. Be ready for changing weather around Mount Fuji and Hakone.