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The Ryokan Collection Heritage Traditional Contemporary
Mt. Fuji - Symbol of Japan and World Heritage site
Magnificent and beloved Mt. Fuji, known as Fuji-san to the Japanese, is recognized worldwide as the symbol of Japan, and the recent decision by UNESCO to include the mountain as a World Cultural Heritage site was an occasion for nationwide rejoicing. It is the country's tallest mountain, looming majestically to 3,776 meters, and its superb sweeping conical form has been the inspiration for countless generations of Japanese artists, poets and musicians.
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The northern slopes of the mountain are known as the Fuji Go-ko (Fuji Five Lakes) region. The lower slopes are dotted with resorts serving the throngs of people partaking of the hiking, boating, fishing and other outdoor pursuits. To the south is Hakone, which has been a popular destination for rest and relaxation for centuries. Famous for its onsen hot springs, Hakone is well worth a visit, and is a perfect place to experience the famous Japanese onsen culture. There are numerous attractions in the area, including Owakudani hot spring valley and the marvelous Hakone Open Air Museum.

Actually, there is a third area of interest - the summit of the mountain, which you can climb, if you're reasonably fit and equipped. Starting from Go-gome (fifth station) as almost everyone does, it's a not-too-difficult five-hour climb - exhausting, but you'll see plenty of small Japanese children and octogenarians sharing the path with you. At the top, if your timing is right, you'll be rewarded with an astonishing view of the sunrise. Be sure to bring mountain wear - the weather can be fickle - and a hat, and sunscreen. The summit is a wonderful and very photogenic moonscape.

Of course, the best way to experience Mt. Fuji is from a premium ryokan, and Ryokan Collection has several members in the area - Hakone Ginyu, surrounded by mountains and gorgeous nature, but close to the delights of Lake Ashi; the elegant Yamanochaya and Gora Kadan, a former noble estate that is right in Hakone. All offer secluded calm and unsurpassed omotenashi, or traditional hospitality.

Other Ryokan Collection members - Yagyu no Sho, near Ito on the Izu Peninsula, and Asaba, in Shuzenji - are somewhat farther away, but still boast terrific views of the Mt. Fuji across Suruga Bay.

RECOMMENDED ITINERARY: Mt. Fuji - 4 days/3 nights
 Day 01  Tokyo - Mt. Fuji - Hakone
09:00  Leave hotel in Tokyo for Mt. Fuji by private car
11:30  Arrive at Mt. Fuji 5th station

After stopping to take photos of Mt. Fuji, you will engage in one of these three activities to discover the famous mountain :

Explore Mt. Fuji Lava Caves
If you want a truly special and unique experience in Japan, the Mt. Fuji Lava Caves are the ticket. In addition to the caves, our guides will introduce us to the wonders of the famous Aokigahara forest in the Mt. Fuji foothills, with its strange, mysterious world of eerie silence, darkness and tranquility.

Nature walk in the forest near Mt. Fuji
The foothills of Mt. Fuji are a great place for a nature hike to learn about the fascinating birds and plants of this area. This tour is perfect for anyone interested in enjoying the natural world surrounding Mt. Fuji with a guide well versed in the local flora, fauna and geology. This tour can take place in various places, depending on which is the most convenient.
(Not available in winter)

Trekking in Houei Crater
Though it hasn't erupted in hundreds of years, Mt. Fuji is still an active volcano. Our Houei Crater trekking tour starts from the 5th stage, from where we will hike to the 6th stage and beyond to admire the magnificent views from the Houei Crater, as well as discover the tough, resilient plant life at the tree-line and the craters formed in previous eruptions.
(Available from May to October)

15:00  Leave for Hakone, a city famous for its hot springs and stunning views of Mt. Fuji
17:00  Check-in at the ryokan in Hakone

 Day 02  Hakone
09:00  Meet with the guide in the lobby and embark for a tour to admire Mt. Fuji

Driving around Lake Ashi
This driving route takes you to places famous for beautiful Mt. Fuji views. We will take the Toyo Tires Turnpike to see the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji over Lake Ashi. From there we will continue to the Lake Ashi Sky Line, to reach the Mikuni mountain path observatory, the perfect place to appreciate the splendor of Mt. Fuji. Panoramic views of the mountain, from foot to peak, can be seen here on clear days.


Lake Ashi Cruise
The beautiful Lake Ashi is a caldera lake, formed after the last eruption of Mt. Hakone some 3,000 years ago. These days the lake, with its iconic view of Mt. Fuji in the background, is a worldwide symbol of Hakone and Japan. You can savor this famous view from a variety of viewpoints, including Moto-Hakone, the Hakone Detached Palace Garden, and of course the numerous sightseeing boats that ply the lake.

We'll have lunch at Auberge au Mirador, the first auberge in Japan. The great Japanese French chef Katsumata-san creates seasonal dishes with fresh local ingredients.


Owakudani
Owakudani ("Great Boiling Valley") is a volcanic valley formed from a crater created during an eruption of Mt. Hakone about 3,000 years ago. The valley still boasts sulphur vents and hot springs, and is famous for kuro-tamago ("black eggs"), or eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs. You can enjoy truly spectacular views of Mt. Fuji on clear days from Owakudani, which is accessed via the Hakone Ropeway gondola.
16:00  Return to the ryokan

 Day 03  Hakone - Shuzenji Onsen
09:00  Check-out from the ryokan and transfer to Shuzenji Onsen with a visit to Miho Peninsula.
10:30  Miho-no-Matsubara (Miho Pine Grove)

Miho-no-Matsubara (Miho Pine Grove) is a registered World Heritage Site as part of Mt. Fuji and is known for its views of the famous mountain as well as the 7-km long seashore lined with pine trees.

12:30  Arrive at Shuzenji Onsen

Lunch at soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant Boku Nen Jin - the most popular soba restaurant in the area. The owner, who moved the restaurant from Kanda in Tokyo to Shuzenji seeking purer water, renovated an old ryokan into the current retro-flavored restaurant, which is surrounded by a bamboo grove.

13:30  Stroll around Shuzenji Onsen hot spring town The Tokko-no-yu hot spring is located in the riverbed in the center of this hot spring resort town. It is now forbidden to take a bath in the Tokko-no-yu, so it is just used as a foot bath (ashiyu).

Shuzenji : Shuzenji temple was founded about 1,200 years ago by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), one of Japan's most important religious figures.

Chikurin no komichi (Bamboo Avenue) : Walking through a bamboo grove is a pleasure that will awaken your senses - the sound of bamboo trees brushing against each other and the rustling of the leaves in the gentle breeze.

15:00  Check in at the ryokan

Enjoy Asaba or Yagyu no sho's hot spring until dinner time.

Japanese kaiseki haute cuisine at the ryokan

Asaba : The chef has been working at Asaba for the past 30 years. His meals consist of kaiseki cuisine and feature seasonal and regional specialties prepared in the most harmonious manner.

Yagyu no sho : The chef has been delighting guests at this ryokan since 1981. He takes pride in offering exclusive and unsurpassed dining experiences.

  Day 04  Shuzenji Onsen - Daruma Mountain
10:30  Check-out from the ryokan

Private car transfer to Daruma Mountain (about 40 minutes)

11:00  Arrive at Daruma Mountain hiking entrance.

Here you can take in the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji, and then enjoy the hike amid the beautiful nature of the Izu Peninsula with the stunning outlooks of Mt. Fuji in the background. The hike takes about 1 hour.

13:00  Transfer to Mishima station

Shinkansen bullet train back to Tokyo (1 hour) or Kyoto (2 hours)

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OUR RYOKAN IN HAKONA AREA
Gora Kadan
Gora Kadan exemplifies a fusion of tradition and custom with captivating oriental charm. A perfect union of past and present, this magnificent property is set in the stunning context of the National Park of Hakone. Once a retreat for the Kaninnomiya Imperial family, this noble estate can be considered one of the area's most coveted treasures. This ancient Japanese hideaway offers a truly exquisite and unforgettable experience.

Gora Kadan also brings to you a full service spa, offering an international menu of aromatherapy, thalasso therapy, Italian foot and leg treatments and Dead Sea salt therapy.

The modern structure of this ryokan is architecturally stunning. The long wooden hallways lead to astonishing views of the valley.

Factsheet
Area : Gora, Hakone
Name of Ryokan : GORA-KADAN
Address : 1300, Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo- gun, Kanagawa 250-0408
Total Number of Rooms : 37
Meeting/Conference Facilities : YES
Check-In Time : 1500 Hours
Check-Out Time : 1100 Hours
Credit Card : VISA / Master / Diners / Amex / JCB / QC / U

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Hakone Ginyu
Tucked away in the lush mountains of Hakone, lies the spa resort of Hakone Ginyu. 'Ginyu' means a person seeking inspiration for a poem by traveling around.

Spectacular views of the Haya-Kawa River as well as the Hakone Mountains set the perfect backdrop for poetic inspiration. The entrance and lobby are located on the top of the building. The essence of Japanese style emanates through the corridors and continues throughout the entire resort. The infinite beauty of the natural surroundings will enable you to forget the stress of everyday life. You will be transported to a different world once you arrive at Hakone-Ginyu.

Factsheet
Area :Miyanoshita-Onsen, Hakone
Name of Ryokan : HAKONE-GINYU
Address : 100-1, Miyanoshita, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken
Total Number of Rooms : 20
Check-In Time : 1400 Hours Check-Out Time :1100 Hours
Credit Card :VISA MASTER DINERS AMEX JCB

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Yama No Chaya
This pretty ryokan in the mountains near the onsen hot spring town of Hakone has been a local institution for over 50 years. With a rustic atmosphere and a friendly, family-style vibe, Yama no Chaya features baths filled with water drawn from its own spring on the property, as well as some outstanding cuisine.

Yama no Chaya takes its name from "mountain teahouse," a friendly place where people can easily drop in for tea and comfort. Its beautiful mountain location in Hakone is a cool respite from Tokyo's summer heat, and in the fall, it becomes a popular destination for people who love to watch the koyo, the leaves turning their autumn colors.

The surrounding woods are the source of many of the delicacies in the ryokan kaiseki ryori. Chef Matsuki, who trained at the renowned Nadaman restaurant, a top-notch traditional ryotei restaurant in Tokyo, changes the menu every month, varying his offerings to match the seasons with delicious seafood from nearby Odawara port, as well as the bounty of the nearby mountains.

Factsheet
Area : Hakone
Name of Ryokan : YAMA NO CHAYA
Address : 171 Tounosawa, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0315
Number of Rooms : 15
Check-In Time : 1500 hours
Check-Out Time : 1000 hours
Credit Card : VISA / MASTER / DINERS / AMEX

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OUR RYOKAN IN SHUZENJI AREA
Asaba
From the very beginning, Asaba has been a source of great inspiration. It is located in the tranquil onsen village of Shuzenji. You are taken back in time as you walk through the remarkable Mon gate and follow the pebbled Genkan path. The crystal clear waters of the lagoon and the lush green mountains form a picturesque sight. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Asaba does an exceptional job at preserving tradition by combining simplicity and elegance with its historic architecture and grand location.

Factsheet
Area : Shuzenji-Onsen
Name of Ryokan : ASABA
Address : 3450-1, Shuzenji, Izu-shi, Shizuoka-ken 410-2416
Total Number of Rooms : 17
Check-In Time : 1430 Hours
Check-Out Time : 1130 Hours Credit Card : Visa, Master, Diners, Amex, JCB

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Yagyu-No-Sho
It is the pure essence of Japanese elegance located in a bamboo grove. As soon as you enter the grounds of this magnificent oasis, you are transported back in time to the simplicity of nature in Japan. It is the perfect balance of style and history, an absolute indulgence. Your needs are completely met at Yagyu no sho. Whether you are looking for a weekend get-away or a serene place to hold a meeting, Yagyu no sho will satisfy your every need.

Factsheet
Area : Shuzenji-Onsen, Izu
Name of Ryokan : YAGYU-NO-SHO
Address : 1116-6, Syuzenji, Izu-shi, Shizuoka-ken 410-2416
Total Number of Rooms : 16
Check-In Time : 1400 Hours
Check-Out Time : 1100 Hours
Credit Card : Visa / Master / Diners / Amex / JCB / UC / DC

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