Tokyo
<b>Meals: Breakfast, Dinner</b><div>This morning, your luggage will be loaded onto the coach before departing for the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of Japan’s Emperor. Afterwards, enjoy a short walk (approx. 10 minutes) to Tokyo Station to board the Shinkansen bullet train to Odawara.</div><div>Upon arrival, explore the historic Odawara Castle, an impressive remnant of the feudal era. Continue to Lake Ashi in Hakone National Park for a serene cruise surrounded by lush mountain landscapes, including Mt. Fuji and Mt. Komagatake.</div><div>Then, travel by road to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, located 2,300 meters above sea level.</div><div>Weather permitting, enjoy sweeping views of the mountain and surrounding lakes. Discover quaint shrines, torii gates, and charming souvenir shops.</div><div>Conclude the day with a scenic ride on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (also known as the Kachi Kachi Ropeway) offering stunning views over Lake Kawaguchi and its mountainous backdrop.</div><div>Check in to your accommodation in the Mt. Fuji region and enjoy a delicious local dinner.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Tokyo Imperial Palace</b></div><div>Japan's Imperial Palace is regarded as the heart and soul of Tokyo and stands on a huge site that still bears the remains of Edo Castle, stronghold of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The present palace was completed in 1888 and is still home to the emperor of Japan.</div><div>The palace is off-limits, but its grounds and surrounds provide a much-needed green space for the city with Higashi Gyoen, site of the Edo Castle Keep, open to the public.</div><div>On January 2nd and December 23rd each year, visitors can enter the inner grounds and see the imperial family make public appearances from the balcony.</div><div>Guided tours of the palace are offered but only in Japanese, although an English pamphlet and audio guide are provided. These tours must be reserved through the Imperial Household Agency.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Mount Fuji</b></div><div>The dormant volcano of Mount Fuji has been revered since ancient times, its symmetrical 12,388-foot (3,776m) snow-crowned summit as symbolic as the country's own flag. It features in poetry and art through the ages and is considered a holy site in Japanese culture. The highest mountain in Japan, it has many historical and mythological associations, with ancient samurai using the base of the mountain as a remote training area. The closest town to the volcano is Fuji Yoshida, from which buses leave frequently for the most popular hiking routes. There are six trails to the summit, of which the Kawaguchiko Trail is the easiest, being quite manageable even for children and the elderly.</div>