日本NipponPlan

Hakone

Day trip from Tokyo
Stays
  1. LakeAshi and MtFuji Hakone
  2. Lake Ashi & Mt Fuji & Hakone Shrine
  3. Torii @ Hakone Shrine @ Moto-Hakone (10621589803)
  4. Hakone Open-air Museum 20211202-9
  5. Lake Ashi from Mt.Komagatake 03

A mountain area with hot springs, art museums and views of Mount Fuji.

Worth a day?

Yes. Hakone gives a day of lake views, volcanic steam and, on a clear day, views of Mount Fuji. It is a poor choice for people who want a quiet day in one place or who expect a clear view of the mountain.

Pick your pace

Hakone works as a slow day or a full one. Choose the pace that fits yours and the stops that suit it come first. Nothing is removed.

楽EasyShort stops and plenty of time to sit.歩ActiveWalks, outdoor places and more ground.寺CultureTemples, museums and history, with the reason for each.食FoodStreet food, sweets and a proper meal between sights.

Not sure? Start with Easy.

A day in 3 stops

In the order that suits your pace.

  1. 3 hMorningHakone Open-Air Museum 彫Big sculptures in a mountain garden, with a Picasso room and a foot spa.
  2. 3 hMorningRopeway to Owakudani 山A cable car over a volcanic valley with steam. On clear days you can see Mount Fuji.
  3. 2 hAfternoonHot spring bath with a day-use ticket 湯Many hot spring hotels sell a bath-only ticket. A good end to a day of walking.

How to get there

From Tokyo

FastestOdakyu Electric Railway, Odakyu Romancecar Limited Express → Hakone-Yumoto

Time
80 min
Changes
None
Seat
Reservation needed
  1. Board the Romancecar at Shinjuku. Book a reserved seat first, because every seat is reserved.
  2. Get off at Hakone-Yumoto.
  3. Take the local transport from Hakone-Yumoto toward Lake Ashi. These sources do not confirm that route, so check it before you go.
A cheaper way

A Hakone Free Pass covers local Hakone rail and bus, but the Romancecar still needs its own limited express ticket; a JR Pass covers the Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara but not the Romancecar.

Coming back. Check the Odakyu timetable for return trains, because the official page does not state a last return train and changes or refunds are not offered after a departure time.

Typical times. Check the timetable before you go.

Stay a night

Sleep in Tokyo and come by train, because the Romancecar takes about 80 minutes and Hakone is one to two hours from central Tokyo by train. A night in Hakone suits people who want hot springs and a slow morning at Lake Ashi.

Stay in HakoneHakone stays are mostly ryokan with hot spring baths, with some hotels and family-run guest houses too. Guests can use the ryokan baths as part of their room, while day visitors pay to enter. Some stays include meals, and some have private or open-air baths.Find stays in Hakone
Tokyo as your baseneon and noodles The train to Hakone takes about 80 minutes.Find stays in Tokyo

Stays link to partner sites. A commission never changes our advice.

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