We will begin the trip with one if not the most scenic road of the Fuji/Hakone region. The road itself has many panoramas and from the top observatory, there is an incredible view of all the valley, Hakone, and Fuji. Even in case of rain, it is so foggy and green that it is an incredible atmosphere.

The Hakone Shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine on the shores of Lake Ashii. It was founded in 757 and contains a Tori (red gate), several shrines and buildings, some souvenir shops and a museum. It is one of the most beautiful shrines in the region, lost in nature.

We will then reach Lake Ashi, where we will stop at several famous Torii Gates (traditional Japanese gates most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine) and Shrines.

We will then stop at Amazake Chaya, a traditional teahouse along the old Tōkaidō road. Hidden in the cedar forests of Hakone, it has welcomed travelers for more than 400 years. Inside, the wooden beams darkened by centuries of hearth smoke create an atmosphere of warmth and history. Here you can taste amazake, a sweet, non-alcoholic rice drink once offered to weary pilgrims, along with simple local snacks. It is more than a teahouse, it is a living remnant of Edo-period travel culture, where the spirit of hospitality has been carefully preserved.

After the highway trip, scenic road, shrine and lake visit, it will be time to eat, and of course, relax. We will slowly make our way to some of the most beautiful onsen that Kanto has to offer (several choices, depending of your mood and desires). There we will be able to eat local specialities, relax in the thermal water, and even have a massage. Napping next to the water in the relaxation room is also possible, and recommended.

After lunch, and relaxation at the onsen, it will be time to take the road again and go to the open-air museum. It holds collections of artworks by Picasso, Henry Moore, Taro Okamoto, Yasuo Mizui, Churyo Sato, Susumu Shingū, and many others, featuring over a thousand sculptures exhibited within 70,000 square meters of green garden. It is both mesmerizing and relaxing, for adults and children alike.

If the weather isn't kind, or if you are quick, or interested by both, we will go to Pola Museum, which is indoor. The museum is nestled in a forest of beech trees and hidden in the wooded mountains of Hakone. The award-winning modern architecture blends finds a beautiful contrast and harmony with the surrounding nature. The museum exhibits a world-class collection of Western and Japanese paintings, ceramics, and cosmetic utensils, with a focus on impressionist paintings.

After Lunch, if time permits, we will pass by a second iconic road of the Fuji/Hakone region. It will allow us to have an even closer view on Fuji, on Lake Ashinoko, and even the sea! There are 4 breathtaking panorama along the road and we will stop at each of them.