The Gray Line: Tokyo Tours

Gray Line Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone was the worst tour I’ve been on in my life. First off the brochure is false advertisement, Gray Line advertises that the tour will go on a Gondola in Hakone, but when the group meets with the tour guide, she will announce that an alternate plan is in place when it turns out the gondola has been shut down for months and not re-​opening anytime soon.
It takes the bus about 3 hours to get to Mt. Fuji and the tour guide will give about 25 minutes to look at the summit until the bus takes off to the next activity. Then it’s suppose to be lunch which is also rushed along with a lame boat right on a lake.
But just my fortune on this particular day our bus broke down on Mt. Fuji. The tour guide kept saying that taxis would arrive to continue to the next destination but we ended up on a broken bus for two more hours.
The whole day was ruined at this point but the tour continued to the lunch and then boat ride. Both lame beyond belief. It was the worst day of my trip to Japan and a big waste of time. When it comes down to it, Mt. Fuji is majestic from a distance but up close there’s nothing to look at. If you don’t believe me just google Mt. Fuji and notice all the good photos are taken from miles away.
Unfortunately I had to really get on the tour guide, bus driver, and company, but the end result was I got everybody on our tour a refund. I didn’t even want to look at our tour guide for another second so I had them drop me off at the closest train station and I paid my own way back to Tokyo.
Take my advice. Don’t go on Gray Lines tours.

We did the full day tour and really enjoyed the itinerary. It is a perfect overview of many major sites if you only have a day or two. On the full day tour we went up the Tokyo Tower, visited the Meiji Shrine, drove by the Akasaka guest house, National Diet, and Imperial Palace, went inside the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, drove through the Ginza shopping district, visited the Hama-​Rikyu garden, had a river cruise, and ended up at the Asakusa Temple and shopping street. We did not do the last two stops because we wanted to stay and shop. It’s along and tiring day but worth if you have the energy. The trip is varied and the guides are friendly and helpful. I would recommend the trip.

My husband and I took advantage of the half-​day tour option and it was worth it!!! We got to go inside Tokyo Tower, walk through Meji Shrine, sightsee, and enjoy the Imperial Eastern Gardens. It was about a total of 4 hours and I can tell you it went by SOOOO fast. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. I would recommend it!