Hakone Day Trip
Hakone is a place where the attractive points of Japan gather, making it a great destination for those travelers without too much time. In this article, we prepared a Hakone day trip itinerary for fast-paced travelers in which you get to enjoy major attractions such as a majestic Mt. Fuji view, popular art museums and hot springs, etc.
If you use the Hakone Freepass, not only will you receive a roundtrip on the Odakyu Line, but you will also be able to freely get on and get off almost all transportation in Hakone. Plus, you will receive discounts at affiliated establishments during your trip, making your Hakone trip even more enjoyable.
Let’s introduce the counterclockwise route in Hakone for a day trip to avoid the crowds.
Detailed information about Hakone Freepass is available here. We recommend Digital Hakone Freepass as you can purchase it whenever you want from your smartphone without having to carry around a paper ticket.
*If you purchase the Hakone Digital Freepass, you will need one smartphone per Freepass user.
Start at Shinjuku Station
It is extremely convenient to take the Limited Express Romancecar from Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto.
The entire journey takes only 80 minutes while you relax in your comfortable seat.
Hakone-Yumoto Station
Once you reach Hakone-Yumoto Station, head out for Lake Ashi first. Ride the Hakone Tozan Bus H Line for about 40 minutes until the Motohakone-ko stop.
Hakone Shrine
While strolling along Cedar Avenue, you'll arrive at Hakone Shrine in about a 40-minute walk. As evident from the constant stream of worshippers, Hakone Shrine is considered one of the top must-see spots in Hakone. It was established in the Nara period (757 AD) and enshrines three deities collectively called "Hakone Okami." At the shrine's entrance, a torii gate symbolizing peace stands tall against Lake Ashi, seemingly floating on the water's surface. Its mystical presence evokes a sense of reverence in onlookers. Keep walking along the approach and climb up the long stone steps. After passing through the fourth and fifth torii gates, you'll reach the main hall of the shrine.
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
Let's return from Hakone Shrine to Motohakone-ko and head towards Togendai-ko aboard the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise while enjoying a cruise on Lake Ashi. Each of the three pirate ships features luxurious and uniquely designed interiors where you can spend a leisurely time. Stepping out onto the deck, you'll find solace in the mountains of Hakone.
Togendai View Restaurant
Once you arrive at the Togendai-ko, grab lunch at the Togendai View Restaurant. Here, you can enjoy authentic grilled dishes cooked over charcoal and Western cuisine made with local ingredients. Popular menu items include fluffy omelet rice and hamburg steak made with rice and eggs from Gotemba. We also recommend trying the "Pirate Barrel Draft Beer" while enjoying the view of passing pirate ships.
Owakudani
After lunch, hop on the Hakone Ropeway and head to Owakudani.
This place, now one of Hakone's premier tourist spots, was formed over 3000 years ago by the eruption of Mt. Hakone. Even now, white smoke rises from the mountainside. This, along with the unique smell of sulfur rising from the rust-colored barren land, is the highlight of this journey.
When you visit, be sure to try the famous "Owakudani black eggs." When boiled in Owakudani's hot springs, the mineral content in the water adheres to the surface of the shells, turning them black. It is said that consuming one egg can extend your lifespan by seven years! Regardless of the longevity myth, savoring these eggs while enjoying the scenery is truly special.
To Gora Station
From Owakudani Station, let's enjoy a scenic journey in the sky aboard the Hakone Ropeway to Sounzan Station. At Sounzan, which is a transfer station for the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, you'll find foot baths and a terrace where you can overlook the Hakone caldera.
Hakone Open-Air Museum
From Gora Station, take the Hakone Tozan Train and arrive at Chokoku-no-Mori Station in about 3 minutes. It's a 2-minute walk from the station to reach the art museum.
In the spacious outdoor exhibition area, you'll find about 120 masterpieces by renowned sculptors representing the modern and contemporary periods, including works by artists like Rodin. The Picasso Pavilion, which sequentially displays a world-renowned collection of 319 pieces, is also must-see.
Hakone Yuryo
After enjoying the art museum, take the Hakone Tozan Train to Hakone Yumoto.
For the final part of your Hakone journey, relax and unwind at the day-use hot spring "Hakone Yuryo." From Hakone-Yumoto Station, you can take a free shuttle bus, which takes about 3 minutes to reach the hot spring (departures every 15 minutes from the station).
Hakone Yuryo offers day-use hot springs with 19 private rooms equipped with private outdoor baths (reservation is required) and spacious indoor baths. After your bath, you can taste Hakone Yuryo’s rustic Japanese cuisine cooked over traditional irori hearths.
Go souvenir hunting at Hakone no Ichi
Until the departure time of your return with Limited Express Romancecar, explore interesting souvenirs such as hot spring manju (sweet buns with bean filling) and marquetry at "Hakone no Ichi," located close to the ticket gates of Hakone-Yumoto Station. The market is open until 20:00, so take your time and enjoy your shopping experience.
Returning to Shinjuku Station
Since you went through the major sights of Hakone in such a short time, take the Limited Express Romancecar back to Shinjuku while resting your tired body. You can relax in the spacious seats of the reserved car.
The journey back to Shinjuku will take 80 minutes.
How was it?
For those who think a day trip to Hakone is not doable since it is far away, you can go for it if you avoid the crowds. Don’t miss out on Hakone and try this day trip out!
Enjoy your trip even more with a great value Freepass♪
What is the Hakone Freepass?
An economical ticket that allows you unlimited rides on 8 different modes of transportation in Hakone.
It comes with preferential treatment and discounts in tourist facilities, restaurants, etc., so you can tour Hakone economically.
What is included in the Hakone Freepass?
- Hakone Tozan Train, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, Hakone Tozan Bus (designated areas), Hakone Tozan Bus/”KANKO SHISETSU-MEGURI” Bus (Tourist-Attraction Sightseeing Bus) ,Odakyu Highway Bus(designated areas), Tokai Bus (designated areas)
- Round-trip discount ticket from Odakyu Line departure station
- Preferential treatment and discounts at approximately 70 restaurants and tourist facilities, including hot springs and museums
The Hakone Freepass is available for 2 days or 3 days.
The Hakone Freepass can be purchased at ticket vending machines, station counters, or online.
Purchasing a Digital Hakone Freepass online is recommended because you don’t have to redeem it at a ticket counter. Your smartphone becomes your ticket, so you don’t have to worry about losing it.
Click here for more information on the Hakone Freepass
Click here to purchase the Digital Hakone Freepass
Prices
■ From Shinjuku Station
・Valid for 2 days
Adults: 6,100 yen Children: 1,100 yen
・Valid for 3 days
Adults: 6,500 yen Children: 1,350 yen
■ From Odawara Station
・Valid for 2 days
Adults: 5,000 yen Children: 1,000 yen
・Valid for 3 days
Adults: 5,400 yen Children: 1,250 yen
※The prices listed above are sample prices. Prices vary depending on the Odakyu Line
departure station.
※Network connection is necessary during purchase and during use.
※One ticket per smartphone is required. If you cannot provide a smartphone for each person,
such as children, please purchase a paper ticket from a ticket vending machine or counter
at the station.