kappa

Sorry to post this after you already bought a walkie-talkie but is it legal to use American one in Japan (as you mentioned) ? Probably nobody will question you while you were there and Lcuy used it without problem. I'm just curious and wonder because, last time I was in Tokyo, I tried to find a Bow-lingual, dog-translator (by Takara, a Japanese toy maker) US version and was told it's not sold in Japan exactly because of the difference of the legal frequencies.

fredex2000

Hey there again! I am overflowing with questions!

I am facing the thought that an overnight trip to Kyoto is a bit too rushed.

I am now considering an over night trip pkg. from Sunrise Tours $27,000. that includes Mt. Fuji/ Hakone/ Onsen, the hotels offered are Hotel Kowaki-en or the Hakone Prince Hotel.
Any thoughts on this? I want to make this trip as memorable as possible and I think the added over nighter may shed a different light on our experience considering our limited time. I appreciate any thoughts you may share.

Best,
Fredex

mrwunrfl

Those hotels look nice. The Hakone Prince Hotel is by the lake, near the bottom of the ropeway. The other might be along the Ashinoko Skyline, but I can't tell. There is a second Prince hotel in the area called the Hakone Sengokuhara Prince Hotel.

How are they going to get you to the hotel? Is this the Ritz tour?

fredex2000

Hi Mrwunrful,

This tour is By Sunrise Tours. The tour starts out as Motorcoach, once you are dropped off at the hotel you are on you own with the mentioned day pass. After sightseeing on 2nd day you get to the train station on your own and return to Tokyo with the provided train tickets. You get back to your hotel on your own from Tokyo Train station.
I have included the actual tour description:

Tour Highlights

Day 1 : TOKYO - MT.FUJI - HAKONE

Deluxe motorcoach drive along the expressway to Mt. Fuji
Leave Tokyo for a drive aboard a deluxe motorcoach to Mt.Fuji (3,776m . or 12,388ft.)



Fuji Visitor Center
Nature, culture and artwork concerning Mt.Fuji are on display at the information center.
When the center is closed (Monday and certain other days), Peace Pagoda located on the way to Hakone will visit instead.



Drive up Mt. Fuji 5th station
A drive halfway up Mt. Fuji to the Fifth Station (altitude 2,305 m.),enjoying the natural scenery en route.


Mt.Fuji
Lunch at Hotel Highland Resort
Enjoy western-style lunch at a restaurant. Vegetarian food is available on request.



A cruise on Lake Ashi
A delightful cruise on Lake Ashi aboard a large sightseeing boat.
Let the crisp air and surrounding verdure refresh you.



Mt.Komagatake Aerial Cableway
Ride an aerial cableway up and down Mt.Komagatake for a sweeping view of celebrated Hakone National Park.



Mt.Komagatake Aerial Cableway
Accommodation at Hotel
Hakone Hotel Kowaki-en : Western style room, famous for its hot spring baths "Onsen".

Hakone Prince Hotel : Located on lakeside, western style room, famous for its hot spring baths "Onsen".

While in Japan , be sure to try its famous spas!


Hotel Kowaki-en

Hakone Prince Hotel

Day 2 : HAKONE - TOKYO

Enjoy sightseeing at Hakone on your own
Whole day free at leisure.

1-day Hakone free pass is provided. (Hakone Tozan Bus/Train/Cablecar, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Ship & Odakyu Express Bus are available for free of charge. And some discounts are available on many kind of tourist facilities.)

Please proceed to Odawara Station by local bus or train by yourself. Travel time about 40-60min.
Return to Tokyo by Shinkansen train, arriving around 8:00 pm. (Shinkansen reservation cannot be changed. If you want to go back to Tokyo earlier, please tell us when making reservations.)
Individual return to hotel.


Shinkansen





Individual return to hotels or elsewhere on their own.
Infomation on return transportation will be provided by the tour guide.



Multilingual Guide Tape Available
on Mt.Fuji-Hakone Tours

mrwunrfl

I checked out there webpage and see that they do pick you up at the Hilton Tokyo, and they will take you right to the hotel which is convenient. The problem with the tour is the return. You get tix back to Tokyo station, but then you would have to get a train out to Shinjuku (not a BIG deal, but not particularly convenient). The ride up Fuji-san sounds interesting too.

The trip w/overnite at the Prince is 59,000 yen for two people. I found one booking site that has a price of $285 per nite per room for a standard twin at that hotel including tax (that's about 30,000 yen).

The links below will give you some info about the Hakone Free Pass and Odakyu railways. See the picture of the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center, with signs in English. It is at Shinjuku station close to where the Hilton shuttle stops. It would be quite easy for your to take the shuttle down to the station and make reservations/buy tickets while figuring out the logistics of getting around the station (i.e. you can scout out the place before you bring your mother). I am hinting that you could arrange the tour on your own, but the door to door pickup from the Hilton to the Prince (or other hotel) is so convenient, that it might be worth it to take the Sunrise tour and throw away the shinkansen tickets when you get to Odawara and just buy Odakyu Rail tickets (Romance Car) back to Shinjuku directly.

http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/english/center.htm
http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/englis...ex_hakone.html
http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/englis...injukumap.html
http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/englis...main_0417.html
http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/english/rc/index.htm

fredex2000

Mr Wunrful,

Thank you so much for those detailed
suggestions!

I'm guessing that Odawara is a stop on the Shinkansen line where getting the Odawara line will take me directly to Shinjuko station thus saving on getting back to Hotel from where Shinkansen woul drop us off normally?

I just read you post and have not gone to the "links" yet so forgive me if the answer is there. That sounds very good.
I must ask how many times have you visited..or did you live in Tokyo?
I will know check out the links.
Thank you again!

Fredex

fredex2000

Mrwunrful,
I never even read about this first link! "Q-Tours"
I only knew of Grayline and Sunrise tours.
Here I am learning more while I should be packing!

fredex2000

We are off!Good bye and thanks again all for the great advice!