Hike Hakone Hachiri – A Japan Heritage Area| from $275 per person

Tokaido is the centuries old route linking Tokyo with the former capital Kyoto. Tokaido means ‘Eastern Sea Road’ and is the partner of the more-well-known- Nakasendo, or inland mountain route linking the current and former capital.

Hachiri literally means ‘8 Ri’, a distance of about 30km. Hakone Hachiri is the name given to the stretch of old Tokaido foot highway between Odawara and Mishima, via Hakone.

In the 19th century, renowned ukiyoe artist Hiroshige produced his ‘53 Stations of Tokaido’, a series of wood-block prints depicting scenes, sometime humourously, of each of the overnight inn stops on this foot-road. Hiroshige’s famous scene of Hakone (Station #10) exemplifies the steep but stunningly beautiful landscape through which Hakone Hachiri passes, complete with views of Mount Fuji. Hiroshige is claimed to have influenced Monet and the French impressionist movement.

Also noteworthy is Mishima (Station #11) was a setting for James Clavell’s famous novel Shogun.

Much of the old Tokaido route has been replaced by modern roading. But the Hakone Hachiri stretch has a reasonable proportion still intact, and has been declared a Japan Heritage Area.

Let Japan Holidays help you explore the history, culture, romance, scenery and people that make Tokaido somewhere special by experiencing shorter version treks of the Hakone Hachiri. Enquire further for other options.

The Tours

Visitors wanting to experience Hakone Hachiri should catch Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo/Shinagawa/Shin- Yokohama stations to Odawara

Features

  • Fascinating introduction to historic and modern Japan with an expert Guide
  • Complimentary trek of Japan’s iconic Tokaido foot highway
  • Spectacular views of Mt Fuji (weather permitting)
  • Be mesmerized by the variety of sights and smells of giant cedar trees and lush nature
  • Feel the warmth of Japanese hospitality in a local tea house
  • View artifacts showing life on the Highway in the old days

Inclusions

  • Private Guide as per itinerary
  • Local Transport within Hakone Hachiri
  • All admission fees in Hakone Hachiri
  • Lunch & Refreshments on Treks

Non Inclusions

  • Shinkansen trains to and from Odawara
  • Beverages and meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Souvenirs
  • Entrances not shown in the itinerary

The Tours – suited for whatever pace

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08:30 – Depart Odawara Station by local train to Hakone Yumoto with English Speaking Guide

Connect by Bus to Amazake Chaya tea house, one of the few remaining of hundreds of tea houses that adorned Old Tokaido to enjoy some heart-warming amasake (non-alcoholic).

Trek the stone-paved Tokaido on foot through the forest down to the shore of Lake Ashinokoin Moto-Hakone. Lunch at a café by the Lake.

Stroll the kilometre-long Cedar Avenue, lined both sides with towering 400 year-old cedar, then through Hakone checkpoint.

Rejoin Old Tokaido for another 5km forest hike to Yamanaka Castle Ruins and Mount Fuji photo opportunity (weather permitting).

Bus to Mishima, and stroll along GenbeRiver World Heritage Water Area

17:00 –  Arrive Mishima Shinkansen Station

End of Tour

Mishima is the conclusion of Hakone Hachiri.

OPTION Visitors can stay in the modern city overnight before continuing to explore Shizuoka, or catch the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Enquire with Japan Holidays about a stay in local style Japanese Inn to complete your experience.

07:57 – Depart Tokyo

08:30 – Arrive Odawara ( Odawara Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama #707)                        

Japan Holidays Recommendation – try to arrange a seat on the right hand side for picturesque views of Mt Fuji (weather permitting) pulling into Odawara Station. Valid JR national pass can be used for this bullet train!

(On request Hakone or Atami station start &/finish or Mishima station finish for onward Shizuoka travel)

08:30 – Depart From Odawara Station with English Speaking Guide and walk to nearby Odawara castle, scene of the epic final battle of Japan’s warring states Period in 1590.

Catch the local train to Hakone Yumoto, then bus to Amazake Chaya tea house, one of the few remaining of hundreds of tea houses that adorned Old Tokaido.

After some heart-warming amasake (non-alcoholic) take a bus down to the shore of Lake Ashinokoin Moto-Hakone.

Lunch at café near the lake.

After lunch stroll around the lakefront to enjoy Hakone Shrine with its famous red gate over the water, and then walk the kilometre-long Cedar Avenue, lined both sides with towering 400 year-old Cedar, then through Hakone Checkpoint.

Depart by bus to Mishima (more Fuji views enroute, weather permitting of course), and stroll along GenbeRiver World Heritage Water Area

17:00 – Arrive Mishima Shinkansen Station for the end of tour

Mishima is the conclusion of Hakone Hachiri.

OPTION Visitors can stay in the modern city overnight before continuing to explore Shizuoka, or catch the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. enquire with Japan Holidays about a stay in local style Japanese Inn to complete your experience.

Enquire Now for Tokaido Trek – Hike Hakone Hachiri