Hakone Hachiri Trail and Izu Peninsula Guided Hike

You will meet with your guide in the foyer of the Shiba Park Hotel at 07:00am, sharp. He will arrange to courier your main luggage to the Day 3 accommodation in Minami Izu Kyukamura. Please have ready, 1 x packed suitcase to courier with no valuables, fragile items, medicines, etc inside. And 1 x light pack to carry with 2 days change of clothing, water bottle, hat and toiletries for the hike. You will then catch the Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama and get off at Odawara Station. Your guide will conduct the trip briefing whilst on board. Then we will catch a local train/bus part-way up Mt Hakone (active volcano) to where we start our hike. Explore Amazake Chaya, managed by its 13th generation, a cherished relic among the dwindling number of teahouses that once dotted the Old Tokaido, flanked by majestic 400-year-old Japanese cedar trees. Delight in a leisurely café lunch beside Lake Ashi, with potential clear vistas of Mt. Fuji from the historic Yamanaka Castle Ruins. Wander through the Genbegawa World Water System Heritage area, reminiscent of scenes from James Clavell's renowned novel, "Shogun," before boarding another local train bound for Shuzenji, where we'll spend the night at the Yukairo ryokan or a similar accommodation. Today's journey covers approximately 10 kilometers on foot.

Meals:  L,D

After a day of trekking westward along the Old Tokaido foot highway on Day 1, we arrive at Mishima and veer left, embarking on a southward journey along the Old Shimoda Foot Highway that traverses the heart of the Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark. From Shuzenji station, a local bus transports us southward to kick off our hike (grabbing a picnic lunch from a nearby convenience store). Throughout the day, we trek southward, tracing the paths of two rivers that cut through the Amagi Range, the highest point on the Izu Peninsula. This ancient trail, linking Shimoda, the southern port town of the Peninsula, with the rest of the country, has welcomed illustrious travelers, including Townsend Harris, the first foreign diplomat to reside in Japan. Harris journeyed from his consulate in Shimoda to Tokyo (Edo) to negotiate Japan's inaugural international trade agreement. Additionally, this route serves as the backdrop for the beloved Japanese tale, "Dancing Girl of Izu," which has been adapted into a movie five times in the 20th century. We indulge in a picnic lunch along the way, trekking through verdant forests and culminating our journey with a scenic stroll through the renowned Kawazu 7 Falls area, where the rushing river has sculpted picturesque waterfalls from the volcanic terrain. We catch a bus to Kawazu and spend the night at the Blue Moon cabins on Imaihama Beach (with shared bathroom facilities and private toilet). Today's trek spans approximately 12 kilometers in total.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning kicks off with our Urban Legend Walk. We'll leisurely stroll along Perry Road, tracing the footsteps of Commodore Perry from the 19th century US Pacific Fleet, marking his historic arrival to negotiate Japan's opening to the world. Wander around Shimoda's charming harbor, immersing ourselves in the rich history of Japan's initial encounter with the outside world after 250 years of isolation. We'll grab a picnic lunch from a nearby convenience store to fuel our adventures. In the afternoon, we embark on a coastal walk. Departing from Shimoda, we board a bus heading south to explore the picturesque volcanic coastline. Along this stretch of the Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark, the mighty Pacific Ocean, rolling in from Sagami Bay to the east, has sculpted cavernous sea caves from the softer volcanic material. Enjoy an easy-going journey along diverse volcanic coastlines, passing through serene coastal resort villages that might spark thoughts of settling down. Our day concludes at Yumigahama Beach, where we'll spend the night at Kuykamura (with shared bathroom facilities and private toilet). Today's walk totals about 10 kilometers.

Meals:  B,L,D

Upon checkout, your guide will assist you in arranging a luggage courier service to send your main luggage to your accommodations for Day 6, being one day after the tour ends. Departing from our hotel in Yumigahama, we'll board a local bus and train heading northward along the picturesque east coast of the Izu Peninsula to commence today's hike. We'll grab a picnic lunch from a nearby convenience store to fuel our journey. The Jogasaki Coastal Trail offers a fantastic opportunity to witness the might of volcanic and tectonic forces. This cliff-top path traverses ancient lava flows that once flowed into the Pacific before solidifying into the landscape we see today. Enjoy breathtaking views of Sagami Bay and the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. We'll have another picnic lunch along the way, sourced from a local convenience store. After our hike, we'll catch a local train further north along the east coast of Izu to Atami, where we'll spend the night. Today's walk covers approximately 10 kilometers in total.

Meals:  B,L,D

Here's a fantastic chance to conquer one of the many small volcanoes scattered across the Izu Peninsula. We'll either walk, take a bus, or hop in a taxi from the ryokan to reach the starting point of our hike, high above Atami township. From there, we'll steadily ascend to the summit of Mt. Kurotake, standing at 800 meters, offering splendid views of Mt. Fuji, weather permitting. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch along the way, sourced from a local convenience store. After reaching the summit, we'll loop around a small natural pond at altitude before taking a bus or taxi back to Atami Station, where our tour concludes. Today's walk covers approximately 8 kilometers in total. The tour finishes late in the afternoon at Atami Train Station by approximately 5pm.

Meals:  B,L