Suggested Itineraries
Hakone Kamakura 3 Days
Board the Odakyu Railway for a three-day, two-night tour of the line’s best sightseeing locales! The quaint atmosphere of Hakone, the historical capital of Kamakura, and the lovely coastal views of Enoshima—you can see them all with your three-day Hakone Kamakura Pass.
9:00
Board the Odakyu Romancecar bound for Hakone-Yumoto
Transfer to the Hakone Tozan Bus bound for Hakone-machi-ko (the H Line)
10-minute walk from Hakone-jinja-iriguchi
11:20
As a constant stream of visitors can attest, Hakone-jinja Shrine tops the list of Hakone’s must-see tourist destinations. Its three deities, collectively called the Hakone Okami, were enshrined there as long ago as 1250 CE. At the shrine’s entrance, the Heiwa no Torii (Gate of Peace) rises out of Lake Ashi and appears to float upon the water’s surface. The mystical presence of this gate, also known as the “Submerged Torii,” fills onlookers with awe. Walking up the main approach, visitors climb a long, stone stairway and pass beneath several more torii before reaching the Daigo (or “Fifth”) Torii and the main shrine.
You will enjoy some benefits if you display your pass at facilities marked with
Hakone-jinja Shrine5-minute walk from Hakone-jinja Shrine
12:30
Lunch on the first day is served in the restaurant of one of Hakone’s most exemplary and historical hotels. Originally built as a villa by Baron Koyata Iwasaki, the Hôtel de Yama maintains a stately profile in the modern world; the eye-catching red-tiled roof and white walls evoke a classical European air. With the arrival of spring, three thousand azaleas come into bloom—a brilliant, colorful delight comprised of thirty distinct azalea varieties. On the ground floor of the main building is the Vert Bois, a French restaurant with terrace seating that looks out over Lake Ashi and the hotel gardens. There is no better way to view the lake and Mount Fuji than dining here on the terrace, enjoying the seasonal breeze. If you prefer Japanese cuisine, there is also Tsutsuji no Chaya on the hotel’s second floor.
15-minute walk to Moto-Hakone-ko
Take a Hakone Sightseeing Cruise bound for Togendai-ko
2:10 pm
Take a leisurely jaunt around Lake Ashi with a Hakone Sightseeing Cruise. Departing from Moto-Hakone-ko, the cruise takes about twenty-five minutes to arrive at Togendai-ko. From the boat’s upper deck, you can view Hakone-jinja Shrine’s Heiwa no Torii, and on sunny days Mount Fuji appears with perfect clarity. Those looking to unwind in a relaxing atmosphere should consider the luxuriously appointed guest cabins below deck. The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise is an extraordinary way to take in the lake breeze and seasonal scenery of Hakone. Be sure to look for the mirror image of Mount Fuji reflected in the lake—known as “Fuji in Reverse,” its beauty will leave you speechless.
Board the Hakone Ropeway bound for Owakudani
15:00
When you arrive at Togendai Station, hop aboard the 18-person gondola of the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani. Enjoy the majestic panorama of Mount Fuji while suspended in the air. Each of the seasons brings its own particular charm: in spring, a blanket of flowers surrounds the figure of Fuji, still topped with lingering snow; in summer, the green of new growth, in autumn, the brilliant colors of changing leaves, and in winter, the hush of fallen snow. No matter the season, the spectacular scenery of Owadakuni—historically known as “Hell Valley”—enhances the nearby mountains and Mount Fuji, especially from above.
Disembarking from The Hakone Ropeway at Owakudani Station
15:20
What is now one of the best sightseeing spots in Hakone was created by a volcanic eruption of Mount Hakone more than three thousand years ago. Even now, white smoke billows out of the mountain's surface; this and the distinctive smell of sulfur rising from the bare, rust-colored earth are a highlight of the trip. While visiting, be sure to try a "black egg," a specialty of the area. These eggs are hardboiled in the hot spring water of Owakudani, where sulfur in the water turns their surfaces black. Eating one egg is said to extend a person’s life for seven years! Longevity-enhancing or not, savoring an egg while gazing out over the scenery is a special treat.
Board the Hakone Ropeway bound for Sounzan
Board the Hakone Tozan Cable Car bound for Gora
1-minute walk from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Cable Car
17:20
The Hakone Tozan Train began service in 1919 and is the only railway in Japan that can truly be said to climb a mountain. Winding its way up switchbacks, the cars travel in an unusual zigzag motion. The Hakone Tozan Train is also known as the "Hydrangea Train" for the hydrangeas that bloom resplendently on both sides of the tracks starting in mid-June. Views from the train of their colorful profusion are one more reason to love the local scenery.
Board the Hakone Tozan Train bound for Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone Tozan Bus (K Line)
Disembark at the Hoteru Hatsuhana Mae bus stop
18:30
All 35 rooms at Hakone Hatsuhana have open-air baths drawing water from the hotel's private hot spring, giving guests a chance to enjoy the Hakone hot spring experience from the comfort of their private room. Aside from that, there is a massage facility, two large baths, and four private baths for guests to enjoy. For dinner, you can enjoy a traditional kaiseki meal with a modern, western twist.
