5 Day All Inclusive Japan Classics (Private Guide and Driver) by UME Travel

Mt. Fuji, a sulfurous volcanic valley, red shrine gates, and a giant bronze Buddha: this quick route packs in several very different sides of Japan. I like that you get private transport for the main excursions, and that the Shinkansen ticket from Odawara to Kyoto is included rather than left for you to arrange.

I also like the overnight stop near Mt. Fuji, which gives the mountain region more than a rushed day trip from Tokyo. The trade-off is the pace: five days means big sights and long transfers, with little time to explore Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka on your own.

At a glance

• Lake Kawaguchi and Oshino Hakkai: Take the panoramic ropeway to Tenjozan Park, then see eight springs in Oshino.
• Hakone by boat and ropeway: Cruise Lake Ashi on the pirate ship and ride up to the volcanic area of Owakudani.
• A private, partly guided trip: Excursions include an English-speaking guide and private transport, but some transitions are independent.
• Kyoto and Nara in one day: Visit Fushimi Inari, a sake museum, Nara Park, and Todaiji.
• Three-star hotels and breakfasts: Four hotel nights and four breakfasts are included. International flights and most other meals are not.

A five-day route with little time to spare

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UME Travel’s Japan Classics runs from Tokyo to Osaka, with stops around Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, and Nara. It is built for people who want help handling the main transfers and excursions, but still want some freedom between guided days.

The word all-inclusive needs a little care here. The tour includes hotels, four breakfasts, listed admissions, private transport for excursions, the Hakone pirate ship, and the Shinkansen ticket. It does not include international flights, and lunches and dinners are not listed as included.

Guiding is also partial, not continuous. You have an English-speaking guide on the Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Kyoto-Nara excursions. The first day’s airport pickup is with a local driver whose English is described as basic, and the journey from Kyoto Station to your hotel is on your own.

That distinction matters. If you like having a guide explain key places but do not need someone beside you every hour, this format can work well. If you want a fully escorted tour with every meal and transfer covered, ask UME Travel to clarify what can be added.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Tokyo

Day 1: Tokyo arrival, then time to recover

A driver meets you in the airport arrival hall and takes you by private car to Dormy Inn Akihabara Hot Spring, the first night’s hotel. The transfer removes one arrival-day chore, which is useful after a long flight, though the driver’s English is basic unless you pay extra to arrange an English-speaking guide and driver.

The evening is free. That is sensible: jet lag and a packed itinerary are a poor combination. If you have energy, take a short walk near the hotel; otherwise, make rest the plan rather than another sightseeing mission.

The itinerary names a three-star hotel and says rooms are based on two people sharing. Solo room occupancy brings a supplement, and upgraded hotels can be requested at an additional cost. International airfare is separate, so check your arrival time and airport details when arranging flights.

Day 2: Mt. Fuji views, Lake Kawaguchi, and Oshino’s springs

The first full touring day heads west to the Mt. Fuji area with a private vehicle and English-speaking guide. At Lake Kawaguchi, you take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway up to Tenjozan Park for views over the lake and, when conditions allow, toward Mt. Fuji.

This is the trip’s best chance to see the famous mountain at close range, but the view is never guaranteed. The itinerary also describes the ropeway area as peaceful and less crowded, though conditions can vary. If you want more time by the lake, an Appare sightseeing boat is listed as an optional extra, as are nearby museum visits.

Oshino Hakkai offers a change of pace. The village is known for eight clear springs fed by water that has filtered through layers of volcanic rock. It is a place to notice the connection between Mt. Fuji and the region’s water, not just to take a quick photo of a spring.

You spend the night at HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort, with breakfast included. This overnight is a real plus: you do not have to return to Tokyo after the excursion, and you start the next day closer to Hakone. The itinerary does not specify a time for each stop, so ask how much time is planned at the ropeway and Oshino if either matters especially to you.

Day 3: Hakone’s lake, ropeway, and volcanic valley

Hakone brings a different kind of scenery. You board the Hakone pirate ship on Lake Ashi, then take the Hakone Ropeway toward Owakudani, a volcanic area known for steam and the smell of sulfur. This is not a quiet temple visit; it is an active, dramatic stop where the earth’s volcanic past is still visible.

The tour description mentions black eggs and souvenirs for sale in Owakudani, including a local longevity legend. Treat that as folklore and a snack opportunity, not a promise of extra years. Purchases are optional.

The day also includes Mishima Skywalk, a 400-meter pedestrian suspension bridge with views toward Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay. The bridge adds a different perspective, but it also makes this a full day of transport and scheduled stops. If heights bother you, ask the operator about the bridge before booking.

After the excursion, you travel to Odawara and board the Shinkansen to Kyoto. The ticket is included. The information describes the onward hotel transfer as independent, so expect to make your own way from Kyoto Station to Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi. The hotel is listed as close to the station, but confirm the route and luggage plan with UME Travel.

One detail worth verifying before departure: the tour describes private transport for the Hakone day, but the exact handoff between the excursion, Odawara Station, and the train is not fully spelled out. Get the meeting point and luggage arrangements in writing.

Day 4: Fushimi Inari, sake, and Nara’s great Buddha

The Kyoto portion starts at Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its rows of red torii gates climbing the wooded slopes of Mount Inari. You can walk beneath the gates and get a feel for the shrine’s scale, but the full network of paths extends far beyond a short stop. With Nara also on the schedule, this is likely a highlights visit rather than a long mountain walk.

Next comes the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum in Fushimi. The visit introduces the area’s sake-making tradition and includes tastings. It is a useful cultural counterpoint to the shrine, and a chance to learn about a local craft rather than simply move from one landmark to the next.

Then the private vehicle continues to Nara. At Nara Park, deer roam freely, and deer crackers are available to buy. Keep food tucked away until you mean to feed one: deer may crowd around if they think a snack is coming. The tour cautions against teasing them with food, a good rule for both your fingers and the animals.

Todaiji is the day’s architectural centerpiece. Its main hall, the Daibutsuden, houses the Great Buddha and has a long place in Japan’s Buddhist history. The temple was founded in 752 and became powerful enough that the capital was later moved away from Nara, partly to reduce its influence on government.

The day ends in Osaka, at Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama. This is a lot of ground to cover, and you will have limited time for either Kyoto or Nara beyond the listed stops. The payoff is that private transport links them without requiring you to manage several train connections yourself.

Day 5: Osaka departure and a transfer to confirm

The final morning includes breakfast, then departure for your flight home. The tour information lists an Osaka-to-airport transfer in its transport details, but the day’s specific inclusions list breakfast only. Confirm whether your airport transfer is included for your booking, and which airport and departure time it covers.

There is no sightseeing time in Osaka described. If you want to sample the city’s food or see more than the hotel area, consider adding a night rather than trying to squeeze it into the departure day.

What the price covers, and where the value lies

The advertised starting price is $2,480, based on the cheapest room. That is a substantial outlay for five days, but the price covers four hotel nights, four breakfasts, selected admissions, private vehicles for guided excursions, a guide on three touring days, the Hakone boat and ropeway, and the Shinkansen ticket.

The value is strongest if you want help joining up distant sights. Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka are spread across a wide area; a private vehicle on excursion days and a reserved train segment can save planning time and reduce the strain of managing every connection yourself.

It is less compelling if you prefer to travel slowly, choose your own stops, or spend several days in each city. You will pay for a short, tightly packed route, and meals beyond breakfast are not included. The operator says dietary needs can be difficult to accommodate in Japan, especially vegan diets, so contact them before booking if you have strict requirements.

The listed hotels are all three-star properties, with upgrades available at extra cost. The tour describes them as well located, with convenient transport and nearby restaurants. Room arrangements are based on two people sharing; solo occupancy costs more.

UME Travel’s operator rating is 4.8 out of 5 across 224 ratings, while this particular tour has a small set of four five-star ratings. Strong comments focus on quick communication, helpful support during the trip, and guides who combine information with humor. One account names Karen as a guide and Amber as a trip planner; those names are examples, not a promise that they will be assigned to your departure.

That emphasis on communication is practical, not just a bonus. One solo traveler described receiving a message from the guide after landing with clear instructions on where to wait. If you are nervous about arriving in a new country, ask how your guide will contact you and what to do if your flight is delayed.

Who should book this Japan tour?

I would consider this tour if you have five days, want to see the classic sights, and value private transport on the busiest excursion days. It is especially useful for a family or small private party that would rather have a guide explain places like Fushimi Inari and Owakudani than organize every leg independently.

It is not the best fit if you want relaxed mornings, long temple visits, substantial free time, or all meals included. Add days if you can. One person who took the trip wished they had made it longer, and that is easy to understand: the itinerary gives you a strong first look, not a full experience of Japan’s major cities.

Before you pay, confirm the airport transfer details, how the Kyoto Station hotel connection works, what time is allocated at each stop, and the cost of any room upgrade or single supplement. If those arrangements suit you, this is a convenient way to connect Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, and Nara without turning the trip into a series of transport puzzles.

FAQ

Are international flights included?

No. International flights are not included in the tour price.

How many breakfasts are included?

Four hotel breakfasts are included, one for each hotel night. Other meals are not listed as included.

Is the tour fully guided?

No. It is partially guided. English-speaking guides are included for the Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Kyoto-Nara excursions. The first-day airport pickup is with a local driver whose English is basic.

Is the Shinkansen ticket included?

Yes. The ticket from Odawara to Kyoto is included.

What hotels are listed?

The itinerary lists Dormy Inn Akihabara Hot Spring in Tokyo, HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort near Mt. Fuji, Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi in Kyoto, and Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama in Osaka. All are listed as three-star hotels.

Is airport transport included at the end?

The transport details list an Osaka-to-airport transfer, but the Day 5 inclusions list breakfast only. Confirm the transfer, airport, and pickup arrangements with UME Travel before booking.