Ultimate Japan Honeymoon (Private Tailored) by Odynovo – 13-Day Tour – Reviews & Prices

Japan’s most romantic moments here come in contrasting forms: a private hot spring bath at a Hakone ryokan, then several quiet days on volcanic Izu Oshima. Between them, you’ll have Tokyo’s temples, a Mount Fuji-area outing, Kyoto’s famous red gates and a private maiko dinner show.

I like two things about this plan: it joins private transport and guided sightseeing with free time to explore at your own pace, and it gives food a proper role, from a hands-on cooking class to sake tasting. The main consideration is the pace of the travel days: moving from Kyoto to an island off the Izu coast takes a train and a ferry, and island activities are largely self-directed.

At a glance

• A private bath in Hakone: Settle into an onsen ryokan and enjoy a private hot spring bath.
• Mount Fuji by lake or ropeway: At Kawaguchiko, choose a lake cruise or the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway.
• Food you make and taste: Cook sukiyaki and other dishes in Tokyo, then sample sake in Kyoto.
• A Kyoto evening for two: The plan includes a private maiko dinner show.
• A slower island finish: Spend three nights on Izu Oshima, with time for beaches, hot springs or Mount Mihara.
• A tailored trip with some independent days: Guides are listed for selected sightseeing, while Hakone and Izu Oshima are largely yours to explore.

Tokyo starts with shrines, street food and a cooking class

The tour begins with a private airport transfer to your Tokyo hotel, leaving the first day open for rest and a first meal in Japan. That breathing room matters after a long flight. There is no scheduled sightseeing to race through while you are still adjusting.

On day two, an English-speaking guide leads visits to Meiji Jingu and Senso-ji. Meiji Jingu’s wooded grounds offer a calmer introduction to the city; at Senso-ji, you pass through Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate, and along Nakamise shopping street. The itinerary also includes a view of Tokyo Skytree and a guided walk through Shinjuku’s food street.

Those stops give you a useful range: a Shinto shrine, a Buddhist temple, a major city landmark and a lively food area. The trade-off is that these are popular places, so the day is more about getting an informed first look than finding quiet corners. Your guide can help make the rituals and settings easier to understand.

Day three trades sightseeing for a three-hour cooking class. You’ll prepare accordion cucumber salad, shiratamadango with matcha syrup and sukiyaki hot pot, with lunch included. I like this because it gives you more than a restaurant meal: you get time to learn a few techniques and understand what goes into familiar Japanese dishes.

The tour includes breakfast each day and one lunch, the meal served during the class. Special food requests, including vegetarian, vegan, Halal, Jain and Kosher options, can be requested. Confirm the details with Odynovo before booking if your diet has strict requirements.

Kawaguchiko and Hakone bring the mountain pause

A private drive takes you from Tokyo to the Kawaguchiko area, about 1.5 hours away. You can choose a Lake Kawaguchi cruise or the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, then visit Oshino Hakkai, whose ponds are fed by snowmelt, and Arakurayama Sengen Shrine.

This is the trip’s main opportunity for a Mount Fuji view, but the mountain is not guaranteed to appear clearly. Weather can affect what you see, so treat the lake and shrine visits as worthwhile stops in their own right rather than relying on a perfect postcard moment. The choice between boat and ropeway also lets you favor water-level views or a higher vantage point.

Another roughly 1.5-hour drive brings you to Hakone and an onsen ryokan. The included private hot spring bath is a genuine honeymoon highlight, especially after a day on the road. A ryokan stay also shifts the mood away from city hotels, giving you a chance to slow down and enjoy the hot spring setting.

Day five is free for independent exploration, with a Hakone Free Pass for Odakyu-affiliated transport and discounts at major attractions. Options include the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the ropeway over Owakudani’s sulfur fields and a cruise on Lake Ashi. These are suggestions rather than a fully guided day, so use the pass to pick a manageable combination instead of trying to cover everything.

You have another morning to explore Hakone before taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto, a ride of about two hours. The schedule leaves some flexibility, but check how transfers to the train are arranged as part of your final travel documents. The listed plan identifies the rail journey, while the specific connection from your Hakone accommodation is not detailed.

Kyoto pairs major temples with a private evening

Kyoto’s guided day brings together Kinkaku-ji, the gold-covered temple, Nijo Castle and Fushimi Inari-Taisha. Nijo Castle adds a different layer to the day, with its connection to the Tokugawa shogunate, while Fushimi Inari is known for its long paths lined with red torii gates.

These are important sites, and that popularity can mean crowds, particularly at Fushimi Inari. You can still enjoy the place, but it is wise to follow your guide’s timing and allow room for walking. The visit is followed by sake tasting at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, where you’ll learn about brewing history and sample different varieties.

Day eight heads to Arashiyama for a 25-minute ride on the Sagano Romantic Train to Kameoka, then a roughly two-hour Yakatabune boat cruise along the Hozugawa River on the return. This makes for a varied day, with rail views followed by time on the water. The boat ride is a substantial part of the outing, so it suits couples who enjoy unhurried scenery more than a packed list of stops.

That evening, the plan includes a private maiko dinner show at a restaurant. It is one of the trip’s most distinctive scheduled moments, and privacy makes it feel suited to a honeymoon. The provided details do not name the restaurant or specify the meal, so ask what is included before you finalize the booking.

Izu Oshima gives the itinerary room to breathe

From Kyoto, you take a Shinkansen to Atami, about three hours, then a ferry to Izu Oshima, listed as a 45-minute crossing. After a day of trains and a boat, the island stay gives the trip a different rhythm. It is a welcome change from the city and temple schedule.

You have three nights on Izu Oshima. The first full day is open for hot spring baths, beach time, snorkeling or scuba diving, with activities noted along the northern and western coasts. These are optional, and the tour details do not include their prices or arrangements, so budget for them separately and check local availability.

The next day offers a choice between exploring a fishing town, visiting the Museum of Volcanoes or hiking Mount Mihara, which rises to 758 meters. The tour’s physical rating is low intensity, but a mountain hike is still more demanding than a museum visit. Choose according to your fitness and the conditions on the day.

This independent island time is a strength if you want a pause and enjoy making your own plans. It may be less satisfying if you expect a guide to organize every outing. The itinerary lists guided sightseeing in specific cities, but Izu Oshima’s days are presented as self-directed.

On day twelve, a high-speed ferry takes you back to Tokyo in about two hours. The afternoon is free for a final walk or souvenir shopping, then you leave after breakfast the next morning. Keep the return crossing in mind when planning anything important in Tokyo that evening.

What the price covers, and what to check

The tour starts at $6,199 per person, based on the cheapest room option. The listed inclusions are four-star accommodation, specified English-speaking guides, private in-destination transport where listed, entrance fees for listed scenic spots, the Hakone Free Pass, 12 breakfasts, one lunch and one bottle of water per person per day.

That price buys a substantial amount of coordination: private airport pickup, tailored ground transport, rail and ferry journeys, guided sightseeing, and special arrangements such as the cooking class and private maiko dinner show. For a couple who values planned logistics and private moments, that can be good value compared with arranging each element separately. But the starting price is not the full trip budget.

International flights, insurance, gratuities, visa fees, personal expenses and optional activities are excluded. Peak periods such as cherry blossom season and autumn colors, as well as last-minute bookings, can change prices and availability. Confirm exactly which room category and experiences are included in your quote; seasonal room rates can make a noticeable difference.

Odynovo specializes in private, tailored tours and has a 4.9 out of 5 operator rating across 461 ratings on TourRadar. The specific tour has only three ratings shown, so the sample is small. One published account describes a different route through Japan, which means it should not be treated as a precise account of this 13-day itinerary. The useful point is that Odynovo is an established private-tour operator, but you should still confirm the details of your own version in writing.

Who should book this Japan honeymoon

This trip fits couples who want a private framework without being escorted every minute. You get guided introductions in Tokyo and Kyoto, private transport on key road journeys, and independent days in Hakone and Izu Oshima. It also suits couples who like variety: temples, food, trains, hot springs, mountain views and island time all appear in the same trip.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a single hotel base, very little transit, or a guide beside them every day. The move to Izu Oshima is a full travel day, and several island activities are optional rather than arranged. Ask Odynovo to clarify ferry and station transfers, the exact accommodation, what the maiko dinner includes and the likely extra cost of activities before paying.

FAQ

How long is the Ultimate Japan Honeymoon tour?

It lasts 13 days, starting and ending in Tokyo.

Which destinations are included?

The route includes Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Oshino, Hakone, Kyoto, Atami and Izu Oshima. Visits include Arashiyama, Kameoka and Mount Mihara.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is described as a private, tailored tour for you and your companions.

Are English-speaking guides included?

Yes, English-speaking guides are included for sightseeing listed in the itinerary. Some days, including time in Hakone and Izu Oshima, are independent.

What meals are included?

The tour includes 12 breakfasts and one lunch during the Tokyo cooking class. Special food types can be requested, including vegetarian, vegan, Halal, Jain and Kosher options.

Are international flights included?

No. Flights before and after the tour are not included and must be arranged separately.

What is the starting price?

The listed starting price is $6,199, based on the cheapest room option. Peak-season and last-minute bookings may cost more.

Are optional activities on Izu Oshima included?

No. Hot spring baths, beach activities, snorkeling, scuba diving, the Museum of Volcanoes and a Mount Mihara hike are presented as optional activities, and optional experiences may cost extra.