Hakone: Mountain Trails & Lake Ashi in Style - 4 Days

In Japan, there are some periods when locals travel en masse as they are on holiday. These times are best avoided as the accommodation costs escalate considerably (more than double). It would make a lot of sense if you could avoid these times. Otherwise, see below for high-season periods. This could lead to the cost of the trip increasing by 30% or more.

Golden Week: Usually between 29 April & 05 May
Obon Period: Mid-August (Between 10th & 20th)
Silver Week: Usually between 18 & 26 September

This walk runs from April to November, and each season has its own drawcard. Spring brings the cherry blossoms as temperatures start climbing from the end of March, while autumn rewards you with rich colour on the trail and some of the best weather of the year. Summer is warm and humid down in Tokyo, but up in the Hakone mountains it stays noticeably cooler, and a dip in a stream after a big climb is one of the simple pleasures of walking here. We don't run this trip in winter. If you're walking in the cooler shoulder months, save some energy for an outdoor onsen after dark. Steam rising off the water in the night air is about as authentic a Japanese experience as it gets.

Hakone sits 1.5 to 2 hours from Tokyo by train, and train is by far the easiest way in and out. Fly into Tokyo, then let Japan's rail network do the rest. Staff at the stations are used to helping travellers find the right platform and buy the right ticket, so you won't need to have it all figured out in advance. We provide a Hakone Pass from Day 2, covering your local transport around the region and your trip back to Tokyo at the end of the walk.

We organise a Hakone Pass for you, provided on Day 2 and valid for Days 3 and 4, giving you free run of the local transport around Hakone and the trip back to Tokyo at the end of your walk.

This walk is easy to moderate. The paths are well maintained throughout, and much of your time on the trail is spent under forest canopy, which keeps things shaded and cool. Expect each day to open with a solid stretch of climbing before the terrain settles, so pace yourself early and let the forest do the rest.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

For over 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.