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Private tour in Hakone Anthony Stephen E
Full Day Tour Hiking Hakone Hachiri
5.0
(19) reviews
-
8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
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-
8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Anthony Stephen E.
5.0
Guide rating
85
Reviews
Tours delivered
8 hrs
Avg. response time
Hi, I'm Tony. Yokoso (welcome) to Japan, where I have lived for a decade. I specialize in walking and hiking tours of the Hakone region, a beautiful, geologically active, national park also including Mount Fuji. Originally a forester by profession, you will see some of my tours involve light trekking. As we walk, I like to help you experience our wild flora and fauna. Our region is tectonically active and includes Izu Geopark, Hakone Geopark, and of course Japan's iconic active volcano Mount Fuji. Enjoy learning about this active earth. Japanese history is a personal interest as I find a little appreciation of it helps in understanding today's Japan and its unique people. Experience Hakone region's pivotal role in Japan's history over the last 5 centuries (starting from Clavell's "Shogun") and local cultural activities. I live in Atami, a cute seaside hot spring resort just 45 minutes from Tokyo station by bullet train, and close to Hakone. Born in Fiji and educated in New Zealand, I have worked in tourism for nearly 3 decades all around Asia/Pacific. I decided to settle in Atami because this region is the most picturesque and interesting place I have experienced. As well as guiding tours I consult to the Shizuoka Prefectural Government on local tourism development, which has given me lots of ideas for experiences that enable you to touch grass-roots Japan. Your participation in these programs will also enrich our local rural communities. Booking my tours on this TBL platform confirms your agreement to your travel contract being INTERNET based as per Japan Travel Law. Just saying that, to keep your experience authentically Japanese, I don't take tips, but thanks anyway for your concern. Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 (highest) Pass Japanese Law prohibits guides from driving, so many of my tours use our excellent public transport system, often including Japan's iconic bullet train zooming along the base of Mt Fuji (visible weather permitting). My tours are low carbon.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Anthony Stephen E.
Hike Old Tokaido Highway Through Hakone & Mt Fuji Areas
Overview of your Hakone tour
For centuries Old Tokaido Foot Highway has linked Japan's modern capital of Tokyo with the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Osaka. A section of the Old Tokaido close to Tokyo known as Hakone Hachiri has recently been declared a Japan Heritage Area. In Japanese, Hachi means 8 and ri is a unit of length equivalent to about 2. 5 miles. So Hakone Hachiri refers to the 20 mile stretch of Old Tokaido between Odawara and Mishima (a setting in James Clavell's epic novel "Shogun"), via Hakone. Our day requires about 8 miles of actual walking. We hike the forest-clad parts of the Tokaido that have been preserved, and use modern public transport to skip over the less interesting parts that are now covered by a modern road. Enjoy stunning views of Mt Fuji on clear days, although please note that Japan's weather only allows this about 30% of the time. I look forward to sharing with you my passion for the natural and cultural heritage of this region. Let's have fun together exploring and understanding this popular area
Recent Reviews
Jim G.United States
Fantastic way to experience the Hakone area and experience/learn history. The hike is family friendly and one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Tony was a friendly and knowledgeable guide and made the entire walk a memorable occasion. The tea house, castle ruins, and world heritage river path were also great additions to the old Hakone highway. We had a fantastic (and lucky) view of Fuji, but even if it had been behind the clouds, this excursion would have been well worth the easy day trip from Tokyo.
Robert T.United States
Tony is a fun and knowledgeable guide who is easy to be around. He had great information on botany, geology, and history. We had a great hike! We highly recommend him.
Robyn J.United States
We had a great day with Tony. We loved the hike and he shared interesting information throughout the day, A highlight was the tea house. I highly recommend this tour.
Stephen C.
Tony, a former forestry professional, was the perfect guide for our Hakone hiking adventure. We sincerely appreciated the trail, sights along the way, animated discussion, and his enthusiasm for the forest’s history and its ecosystem. An added bonus was one of our rest stops at a centuries-old teahouse, where we had the pleasure of meeting the current owner. From start to finish, this hike was one of the best guided hikes we’ve experienced. For those traveling during the warm months, hiking in Hakone is a welcome escape from the heat.
Paul P.United States
Tony guided a party of 7 on a hike for the day. He is a world class guide with great stories about the history of the area, expert knowledge of nature, and operational logistics that worked perfectly. Highly recommend if you are in the area.
Your Hakone tour itinerary
-Catch Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama #807 ETD Tokyo 07:57, get off at Odawara Station 08:30 where I will meet you. -We catch the local train to Hakone Yumoto, then taxi up to near Amazake Chaya teahouse, one of the few remaining of hundreds of teahouses that adorned Old Tokaido. -After some heart-warming amazake (non-alcoholic) we follow the stone-paved Tokaido on foot through the forest down to the shore of Lake Ashinoko in Moto-Hakone. -We stroll the mile-long Cedar Avenue, lined both sides with towering 400 year-old cedar, then through Hakone Checkpoint. - Lunch by the Lake. - We rejoin Old Tokaido for a largely forested hike to Yamanaka Castle Ruins, Mount Fuji photo opportunity (weather permitting). -We then bus to Mishima, and stroll along Genbe River World Heritage Water Area to Mishima Station. -Catch Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama #734 Mishima/Tokyo 17:24/18:18 About 8 miles walking total, intermediate level hike.
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Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Bus
Catch Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama #807 ETD Tokyo 07:57, get off at Odawara Station where I will meet you on arrival at 08:30. We will walk approx. 7 miles total in the day. We will catch local trains/buses to skip over parts of Old Tokaido that have been covered by a modern road. After our tour concludes at Mishima Station catch Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama #734 back to Tokyo, 17:24/18:18.
What's included
Other: gratuity is included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Transfers from/to your hotel to/from Tokyo Station, bullet train tickets Tokyo-Odawara to start the tour and Mishima-Tokyo on completion of the tour. Approx. JPY10,000 per person, or can be covered with a valid JR pass. Doesn't apply of course to folks staying in Hakone and starting/finishing the tour at their hotel there.
On the tour: local transport, lunch, traditional Japanese morning tea at Amazake Chaya. Entrance fees.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location
Odawara, Kanagawa, 250-0045, Japan
Airport: ,Cruise: ,Station: Odawara,ByGuide: Meet me at the Bullet Train (Shinkansen) ticket wicket at Odawara Station at 0830
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Hiking
History
Art And Culture
City Highlights
Architecture
Tour reference number
573823
Languages
English
JapaneseActivity level
High
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Hakone best suited for?
This private tour in Hakone is best suited for travellers who enjoy hiking and exploring historical routes. It's ideal for those interested in the natural and cultural heritage of Japan, as well as those who want to experience stunning views of Mt Fuji and explore the preserved sections of the Old Tokaido Highway. The tour involves about 8 miles of walking and is considered an intermediate level hike, making it suitable for active individuals.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Hakone be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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