Atami Sea Fireworks Festival & Mount Omuro or Hakone Shrine | Departing from Tokyo or Atami (Exclusive chartered boat to watch fireworks)

The itinerary written by Klook seemed unbeatable. We gathered at noon, so there was no need to wake up early; the attractions were appealing, including Hakone Shrine; the arrangements were thorough, with time to shop and dine at Atami shopping street before boarding the boat to watch the fireworks; and most importantly, we had an exclusive chartered boat to watch the fireworks display. However, it was a pity that the itinerary never mentioned the travel time. The entire trip was scheduled from a 12 PM gathering to an 11 PM dismissal, totaling 11 hours. The first leg, from Shinjuku to Hakone, took nearly 3 hours, including traffic jams. The second leg, from Hakone to Atami, took almost 1.5 hours. The final leg, from Atami back to Shinjuku, took a little over 2.5 hours, which resulted in many tour members, including myself, missing the last train when we arrived in Shinjuku at 00:10 AM the next day, requiring us to pay extra for a taxi back to the hotel. In other words, for the entire trip, 7 hours, or more than half the time, was spent sitting on the tour bus. Traffic congestion is an unavoidable factor, but at least the feasibility of alternative routes could have been researched before departure. Additionally, the travel time significantly compressed the itinerary. In Hakone, we had about 1.5 hours for sightseeing, but after getting off the bus and following the guide to the shrine, there were only about 45 minutes left. It seemed impossible for tour members to visit the <Peace Torii> attraction or dine at the shrine. For the final fireworks segment, the so-called chartered boat, which could accommodate 500 people, only had viewing spots on the top deck and the stern deck of the middle level. I watched from the top deck, and as the photos show, the view of the fireworks was obstructed by the boat's radar and machinery, which greatly dampened the mood of the tour members. This tour did have some commendable aspects. First, the attractions were indeed very good and beautiful. If the time allocated for each attraction could be increased accordingly, it would help offset the time spent on transportation. Also, the itinerary information should include estimated travel times to provide consumers with more information for decision-making. Finally, the tour guide was very dedicated, but unfortunately lacked authority. We were supposed to be the first group from that travel agency to board the boat, but at the last minute, we were told another group had registered first. More than 20 tour members witnessed the entire process, but could only swallow their frustration. The tour guide said the top deck offered the best view, so everyone rushed to the top deck. However, the top deck was not spacious, and when the fireworks were launched, the captain surprisingly positioned the boat with its stern facing the launch site. Everyone on the upper deck was very confused by this decision, and ultimately, only the middle deck's stern position likely offered a better view of the fireworks. The so-called exclusive view from the boat was probably worse than the view from the shore. I hope the relevant parties can communicate more to improve this.

Watching the fireworks from a boat is a truly wonderful experience, but the boat does sway quite a bit, and there are very few seats. If you get seasick, you should definitely consider this carefully. The shrine and the sacred tree are well worth seeing, but the stopover time is very short. Next time, if I have the chance, I'd like to arrange my own visit.

The overall itinerary was good. Hakone Shrine is truly worth visiting, with its beautiful surroundings. Atami Ginza has many restaurants, and the beach was very lively. The fireworks display at night was spectacular, and watching it from a boat offered a different experience.

Our tour guide, Miss Betty, was enthusiastic and courteous. We are very grateful for her hospitality today. The tour went very smoothly, the attractions were excellent, and the fireworks display was absolutely fantastic! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Although we couldn't take a boat to see the fireworks due to the typhoon, joining this tour saved us the hassle of transfers and allowed us to rest on the bus. Highly recommended for those who prefer convenience! 👍🏻

The tour guide was very thoughtful and dedicated; the arrangements at each stop were clear and efficient, making everyone feel right at home.

Our tour guide was a handsome foreign young man who spoke good, understandable Chinese. He had a bright smile and was very nice. The driver drove smoothly and managed the time perfectly. Overall, this trip was a great experience.

We were a bit disappointed that the boat couldn't depart that day due to rough waves, but the boat owner reserved a spacious spot for us to watch the fireworks. The fireworks display was right in front of us, which was fantastic! On the way back, the driver took a mountain road. Although it was a bit of a detour, at least we avoided traffic, allowing us to get back to the city quickly to catch the subway to our hotel.

Overall, the tour guide and driver were very competent and had excellent attitudes! However, the bus parking location was quite far from the fireworks viewing spot in Atami, which was inconvenient for elderly individuals with mobility issues.

Fantastic trip! We slowly enjoyed nature and then saw beautiful fireworks. It was very relaxing and comfortable. Also, a big thank you to our tour guide, Steve, who was very thoughtful. Highly recommend!