Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning, we’ll drive to Lake Ashi, a scenic crater lake situated along a wall of the Mount Hakone caldera. This caldera is a complex volcano which last erupted approximately 1,000 years ago. The lake and surrounding area draw many visitors each year for a number of recreational activities, such as hiking, boating, camping, and of course, fishing. We'll set out on a boat ride (weather permitting) to admire the mountain scenery and learn about important landmarks in the area, such as the sacred Kuzuryu Shrine.

Afterwards, we’ll disembark and board the bus for a short ride to Hamamatsuya, a workshop specializing in wooden handicrafts. There, we'll meet with the owner of the shop, who is the fourth generation in his family to carry on this well-established business. We'll see the creation of the elaborate woodwork of Hakone Yosegi Zaiku, a special product of Hakone featuring complex inlaid designs using varying shades of wood. After the demonstration, we'll have the opportunity to ask the owner any questions we may have about this exquisite artistry.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Hakone.

Afternoon: After lunch, we'll walk to a nearby hotel. Here, we'll meet local geishas in the Hakone area, who will share with us the intricacies of the world of geisha. While some Westerners confuse geisha with prostitutes, our speaker will break down these misconceptions and stereotypes. A geisha is a woman who is highly trained in the arts of music, dance, and entertaining. We will learn how women wishing to become a geisha must spend many years learning to play various traditional instruments, sing, and dance, as well as the art of being the perfect hostess—which includes storytelling and attentiveness.

Our speaker will tell us the history of the geisha and how its popularity as a profession has dwindled in recent years. The population of active geisha in Japan has decreased from around 17,000 in the 1970s to just around 500 today. During this conversation, we’ll have the opportunity to ask the mother geisha any questions we may have. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a performance of traditional geisha dancing.

Then we'll drive to our hotel, where we'll enjoy free time for the remainder of the afternoon. Check with your Trip Experience Leader for ideas. Of course, you're in the land of hot springs, so should you be interested in a soak, Hakone is a wonderful place to indulge in this relaxing pastime.

Dinner: We’ll regroup at the hotel restaurant for dinner.

Evening: After dinner, your Trip Experience Leader will provide introductions to Japanese culture through practices such as origami (the art of paper folding), kendama (a traditional toy game), and shuji (Japanese calligraphy). If time permits we may even have the chance to learn a local dance from your Trip Experience Leader.

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Your Adventure at a Glance

Day-to-Day Itinerary