Long ago when Japan was ruled by a shogun and samurai still roamed the countryside, the cities of Japan were connected by five highways. The most famous one, the Tokaido Road (East Coast Road), connected the two most important cities in Japan: Kyoto and Edo (present-day Tokyo).

Along the Tokaido Road were 26 checkpoints where guards checked travelers’ documents and where weary travelers could rest at inns and teahouses. The most important checkpoint was the one travelers stopped at right before entering Edo and right after exiting the capital. This was in the mountainous village of Hakone.

Here guards would check to make sure women weren’t being smuggled out of the capital, for the shogun required all of his lords’ family members to reside in Edo permanently in order to ensure their loyalty. Guards would also check the travelers entering Edo to see that they weren’t smuggling guns into the capital to overthrow the shogun.

Today visitors to Japan’s capital are no longer required to stop in Hakone before entering and exiting Tokyo.

However, the inns, restaurants, and other businesses for travelers have not disappeared.

Locals and foreign visitors flock to Hakone for other more pleasant reasons: to soak in its twenty different kinds of hot springs, spend the night in its traditional inns, hike in its mountains, appreciate its views of Mount Fuji, and wander around its world-class museums.

What’s more, you can still experience what it was like to travel along the Old Tokaido Road. The last remaining stones of the Old Tokaido Road can still be found in Hakone.

Hakone is a great destination to add to your Japan itinerary. This Hakone itinerary is days 19 and 20 of my Japan 3-week Itinerary.

Here is a suggested Hakone itinerary for 2 days.

About Hakone

Hakone is not exactly an individual town or city. Instead, it is an area comprised of several towns nestled between the peaks and valleys of Hakone Pass.

Hakone is also situated on top of a volcano, making it one of the top five places in Japan for visiting hot springs.

The main town that most visitors arrive at is Hakone-Yumoto.

Gora is another popular place, due to its many hot springs and central location.

However, you don’t necessarily have to stay in these two towns. The area is dotted with ryokans, traditional Japanese-style inns, each offering a unique experience with their own hot springs. These inns provide a serene and rejuvenating experience. Getting to them is easy as an extensive and efficiently run public transportation system connects the towns, inns, and attractions.

Hakone is one to two hours by bus or train from Tokyo, so it is easy to visit on a day or a weekend.

Click HERE to view this map in Google Maps

What is the Hakone Freepass?

The Hakone Freepass is a transportation pass that covers the cost of transportation to/from and around Hakone. It can cover a ride from Tokyo to Hakone or from Odawara to Hakone. The pass also includes trains, buses, boat rides, and ropeways around Hakone.

It’s similar to a Japan Rail Pass. When you get on and off a train or bus in Hakone, you just flash your Freepass.

You can also use it to get discounts at some restaurants and tourist sights. Often you’ll get a discount of ¥100 or ¥200 (US$.70 – $1.40 /£.55  – £1.10 / €.64-€1.27).

Where to Buy the Hakone Freepass

There are 3 ways to buy a Hakone Freepass:

• Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku or Odawara train stations. At Shinjuku Station, just follow the signs to the Odakyu Department Store. The service center is nearby.
• From an online travel agency. You’ll just need to exchange the voucher for the real ticket at Shinjuku station. The price is sometimes cheaper from the online agency than if you bought it in Japan.
• An App on your phone called EMot Online Tickets. These are digital Passes. 

When I purchased my passes at Shinjuku and Odawara stations, the staff spoke perfect English and they were extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

Odakyu is the company that owns the railway lines from Tokyo to Hakone, Mount Fuji, and Kamakura areas. They sell travel passes for Hakone, Mount Fuji-Hakone area, Enoshima-Kamakura, and a few others. They also own a department store in Shinjuku Station called Odakyu.

A JR Pass only covers train travel from Tokyo to Odawara. It cannot be used from Odawara to Hakone or within Hakone.

How Much Does the Hakone Freepass Cost?

The price of the Freepass depends on where you depart from and how many days you use it.

If you depart on an Odakyu train from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, the pass covers the train ride from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Hakone, so it’ll cost more.  If you have a JR Pass, buy a pass that starts coverage in Odawara because your JR Pass includes travel from Tokyo to Odawara.

Here are the prices as of December 26, 2023:

2-Day Hakone Pass

• Starting from Shinjuku Station – For adults: ¥6,100 (US$43/£34 / €39); for children: ¥1,100 (US$8/£7/€8)
• Starting from Odawara Station – For adults: ¥5,000 (US$43/£28 / €32); for children, ¥1,000 (US$7/£5.50/€6.36)

3-Day Hakone Pass

• Starting from Shinjuku Station – For adults, ¥6,500 (US$46/£42/€47); for children, ¥1,350 (US$10/£9/€10)
• Starting from Odawara Station – For adults, ¥5,400 (US$38/£30/€34.37); for children, ¥1,250 (US$9/£7/€8)

If you have a JR Pass, you should buy the Hakone Pass starting from Odawara Station. You will first use your JR Pass for the train from Shinjuku or Kyoto or wherever you’re coming from to Odawara. Then start using your Hakone Pass for the train from Odawara to Hakone. You can buy your pass at Shinjuku Station or in Odawara. You will need to validate your pass at the Odakyu Office at Odawara Station.

Other Types of Hakone Passes

Other types of Hakone Freepasses cover both Hakone and the Mount Fuji or Kamakura areas.

1. Fuji Hakone Pass

The Fuji Hakone Pass allows you to travel between Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji/Hakone areas, between Mt. Fuji and Hakone, and around the Mt. Fuji and Hakone areas.

The Fuji/Hakone Pass is good for three days. Unfortunately, the price is the same regardless of where you start your train journey.

Here are the prices as of December 26, 2023:

• Shinjuku: For adults, it’s ¥9,340 (US$66/£60/€67; for children, it’s ¥2,850 (US$20/£19/€21).
• Otsuki/Kawaguchiko: For adults, it’s ¥9,340 (US$66/£60/€67); for children, it’s ¥2,850 (US$20/£19/€21).

You can buy the pass either at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station, Otsuki Station or Kawaguchiko Station.

My Experience Using the Fuji Hakone Pass

For my second trip to Japan, I bought the Fuji Hakone Pass. I took a bus from Shinjuku Station to the Mount Fuji area (not covered under the pass).

The next day my pass began. Let’s call that day 1.  On day 1, I used it to travel on the buses around the Mount Fuji area.

Then, on day 2, I used the pass to travel by bus between the Mt. Fuji and Hakone area.

On day 3, I used the pass to travel around the Hakone area. The next day I traveled to Kamakura (not covered under the pass).

2. Hakone Kamakura Pass

The Hakone Kamakura Pass covers transport in Hakone and on the Enodon Train Line in Kamakura and Enoshima

It’s good for 3 days.

The price for the Pass of December 26, 2023:

• For adults, it’s ¥7,520 (US$53 | £49 | €55)
• For children, it’s ¥1,480 (US$11 | £10 | €11)

You can buy the Pass from the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo or you can buy the Hakone Kamakura Pass online. 

How to get to Hakone

Figuring out how to get to Hakone from Tokyo can be confusing. That’s because, from Tokyo, there are 3 different ways to get to Hakone by train, and your Japan Rail (JR) Pass doesn’t cover the whole route.

But don’t worry! If you follow this Hakone itinerary, you should have no problem.

In addition, the staff at the Hakone tourism office are skilled at dealing with both foreign and local tourists, and they make the process easy once you’re aware of all your travel options.

Here’s an overview of the 3 ways to get to Hakone by train. Click on the link for each method for more detailed info!

I chose option #1 the first time I visited Hakone (I’ve visited twice). On my second trip, I took a bus from the Mt. Fuji area to Hakone.

You can find train schedules and bus schedules on these 3 websites:

• Navitime 
• Japan Transit Planner 
• Google Maps

Bus to Hakone

There is a bus that leaves from Shinjuku station to Hakone, but it’s rather inconvenient because its destination is not the conveniently located Hakone-Yumoto. Instead, its final destination is Togendai on Lake Ashi. You’ll need to transfer to the T or S bus line at the Sengoku or Senkyoro-mae bus stops. It’s rather inconvenient. Check the Willer Website for bus schedules.

Option #1: JR Train + Hakone-Tozan Train

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, option #1 is your best choice.

If you’re coming from Kyoto or some other city except for Tokyo, this is the only way to get to Hakone by train.

Here is how you do it:

Step #1: Take a JR Train to Odawara Train Station

This section of the journey is covered under your Japan Rail Pass.

From Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station, take a JR Train to Odawara Train Station. It usually takes between 30 – 60 minutes.

If you’re coming from Kyoto or Osaka, take a JR Train to Odawara Train Station.  It can take between 2 or 3 hours to Odawara. Just remember that JR passes don’t cover the Nozomi line.

Step #2: Buy or Validate the Hakone Freepass in Odawara

At the Odawara train station, go to the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center to buy the Hakone Freepass. If you bought your Hakone Pass online, you will still need to go to the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center to validate your Pass.

When I was there, there was a large sign outside the Center saying “Tickets for Hakone.” The people who worked at the center were super helpful and friendly.

Make sure to get the free Hakone Bus Trip Map and Timetable. It may be old school, but it beat Google Maps hands down for convenience and accuracy.

Alternatively, you can purchase your Hakone Pass from the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. Just tell the staff that you only want the pass to cover the portion from Odawara to Hakone.

Step #3: Take the Train or bus from Odawara Station to Hakone

Next, take the Hakone Tozan train to Hakone.

This train ride is covered under your Hakone Freepass. JR Passes don’t cover it.

The train usually takes 15 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto Station and leaves every 15 minutes.

Hakone has several train stations. It’s important to know what the closest station to your hotel is.  You can get off at Hakone-Yumoto Station, Gora Station, or other stations. Ask your hotel or the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center in Odawara for the best station to get off at.

For example, the first time I visited Hakone, I got off at Hakone-Yumoto Station and took a bus to my hotel. The bus took 5 minutes.

The second time I visited Hakone, I got off at Gora Station and walked 1 minute to my hotel.

You can also take a bus from Odawara Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station, which is covered in the Freepass. I took this route when I returned to Tokyo.

During my first trip to Hakone, finding the train to Hakone was a bit tricky. Ask around and look for signs. My train was leaving from Track 11, but when I got to the train platform, it looked like two different trains were leaving from Track 11. If I hadn’t noticed a train attendant pointing out another train on an inconspicuously located track to another tourist, I might have gotten on the wrong train or missed my train.

For all the info on the Hakone-Tozan Train including the timetable, check out the fabulous Hakone-Tozan website.

Option #2: Romance Car

Your second option is to take the Romance Car. This train will take you nonstop from Tokyo Shinjuku Station to Hakone. It’s supposed to be fast, comfortable, and scenic.

You can buy the Romance Car ticket from the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station. Another option is to buy the Romance Car ticket online as well.

The train takes 80 minutes.

It’s not covered under your Japan Rail Pass or Hakone Pass. You need to buy both a regular ticket and a limited express surcharge. The total cost from Shinjuku station as of December 26, 2023, is ¥2,470 (US$18 | £14 | €16).

Visit the Odakyu website to find out more information.

Option #3: Odakyu Train Line + Hakone-Tozan Train Line

Your third option is to take all non-Japan Rail (JR) trains. This option is perfect for those who want to save money or who don’t have a JR Pass but have the Hakone Freepass.

Step #1: Buy the Hakone Freepass in Tokyo

The first thing to do is purchase the Hakone Freepass before you leave Tokyo. This pass covers the cost of the whole train journey from Tokyo to Hakone.

You can purchase the pass from the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. When you’re in Shinjuku, look for signs pointing you to Odakyu Line or Odakyu Department Store.

Alternatively, you can buy the pass online from Klook or Get Your Guide.

I have already explained how to purchase this pass in the Hakone Freepass Section.

Step #2: Take the Odakyu Line from Tokyo to Odawara

Take the Odakyu Train Line. It leaves from Shinjuku Station. The train is not covered under the Japan Rail Pass, but it’s covered under the Hakone Freepass.

The journey takes 100 minutes.

Without the Hakone Free Pass, the train costs around ¥900 (US$6 | £5 | €6).

Step #3: Take the Hakone-Yumoto line from Odawara to Hakone

When you get to Odawara, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Train line. It’s covered under your Hakone Freepass but not the Japan Rail Pass.

This train takes 15 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto and leaves about every 15 minutes. 

Hakone has several train stations. It’s important to know what the closest station to your hotel is.  You can get off at Hakone-Yumoto Station, Gora Station, or other stations. Ask your hotel or the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center in Odawara for the best station to get off at.

Without the Hakone Free Pass, it costs ¥320 (US$2.23 | £2 | €2.30).

You can also take a bus from Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto, which is also covered under your Hakone Freepass.

How to get to Hakone from the Mt. Fuji area

How about adding BOTH Mt. Fuji and Hakone to your Japan itinerary?

This is what I did on my last trip to Japan, and I found it to be extremely complicated. You need to transfer multiple times, there’s a lack of posted information, it will take you all day, and you get lots of conflicting answers from transportation employees.

But not to worry! I’ll tell you EXACTLY how I did it!

And the whole journey is covered under your Mt. Fuji Hakone Free Pass.

Step #1: Take a Bus from Kawaguchi-ko to Gotemba

At I did this (Gotemba Station). The bus to Gotemba left every hour (7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00). There were also buses going to “Outlets”, which were the Gotemba Outlets, and I think it was possible to transfer to a bus to Hakone from there as well.

I took the bus to the last stop, Gotemba Station. The bus timetable said it would take an hour, but it took an hour and a half to get to Gotemba Station.

The ride was covered under my Fuji Hakone Pass. However, it’ll cost around ¥1510 if you don’t have one.

Step #2: Take the W Bus Line to Senkyoro-mae Bus Stop

The Gotemba Bus Station is very confusing–no signs for buses to Hakone and lots of conflicting information. It took me a long time to figure out which bus to take to Hakone.

Finally, I found an Odakyu Ticket Office that knew which bus and when the bus would leave. It was the W Bus Line leaving from Bus Stop #3. The W Bus Stop was 30 minutes behind schedule that day.

The W bus was coming from Shinjuku station and was headed toward Togendai on the shore of Lake Ashi in Hakone.

The people at the Odakyu ticket office told me to transfer at Sengoku, but the bus driver told me to transfer at Senkyoro-mae. Listen to the bus driver.

Step #3: Take the S bus line to Gora Station

I got off at the Senkyoro-mae Bus Stop in Hakone and waited at the same stop for the S bus to come to Gora Station in Hakone.

I was staying at a hostel just a few minutes walk from the bus stop at Gora Station.

If you are staying in Hakone-Yumoto and not in Gora, you’ll probably need to transfer to the T bus line at Sengoku or Senkyoro-mae. Or you could still take the S Bus to Gora, where you’ll hop on the train to Hakone Yumoto.

But ask the ticket office and bus driver for confirmation on this.

When to Visit Hakone

Try to visit Hakone on a weekday to avoid crowds and for cheaper prices.

I visited Hakone twice: once on a weekday and once on a weekend. Both times were in August. There were more tourists on the weekend than on the weekdays, but the crowds weren’t unbearable. I found that prices for accommodations on the weekend were significantly more expensive than on the weekday.

Best Season to Visit Hakone

My friends from Japan say that accommodations are cheaper in summer than in spring, fall, and winter.

However, winter is the best time to see Mount Fuji, and with the leaves changing color, fall is when Hakone is at its most beautiful.

Solo Travelers

If you’re a solo traveler and you want to stay at a ryokan, going on the weekend might be difficult. Some ryokans don’t accept solo travelers as guests on the weekend. This is because they often charge per guest and not per room. Ryokans charge this way because breakfast and dinner are included in the price. 

How long to stay in Hakone

I suggest staying at least 2 days and 2 nights in order to spend time relaxing at an onsen, seeing the historical sights, and visiting the Hakone Open Air Museum.

However, you can easily do 2 days and 1 night. That’s what I did on my first trip to Hakone.

If you have more time, you can do 3 days and add in some more strenuous hiking, more onsen bathing, or more museum touring.

This Hakone itinerary is for 2 days.

Where to stay in Hakone

Hakone’s traditional-style inns, called ryokans, are famous in Japan. Therefore, I recommend splurging on your accommodations and staying in one with a hot spring bath, called an onsen in Japanese. You’ll get a multi-course Japanese-style breakfast and dinner in your room. YOLO, right? It can be an unforgettable cultural experience.

For the splurgers, I highly recommend staying at Fukuzumiro Ryokan.

For those on a tighter budget, there are hostels with their onsens. I highly recommend Onsen Guesthouse Hakone Tent.

You can check out hotel prices on Agoda or Booking.com. Agoda is the BEST site for booking hotels in Asia.

Where Did I Stay?

I’ve been to Hakone twice. For my first visit, I stayed at Fukuzumiro Ryokan, a 125-year-old traditional Japanese inn situated right next to a river (Agoda | Booking.com).

My room had a huge window next to a river. At night I fell asleep to the sound of the river as it flowed over the rocks below. It was heavenly.

A Japanese-style multi-course dinner and breakfast were served in my room. You can read more about what’s included in a Japanese style breakfast in this great article by Travel With Kat.

I also got a Japanese-style robe called a yukata that I wore around the ryokan.

The ryokan has three onsen baths: male, female, and private.

In addition, the inn was conveniently located–just two bus stops from the Hakone-Yumote train station and a 1-minute walk from the stop.

Whatever you do, don’t arrive before check-in at 3:00 pm. It’s just impolite to arrive early at Ryokans. I arrived 15 minutes early thinking it would take me longer to get to the ryokan than it did. Oops!

Just be aware that some of the ryokans in Hakone are old. You’re going to have to suspend your demand for brand-new shiny things in exchange for character and Japanese-style rustic charm.

If you’re looking for a wonderful Japanese experience, stay at Fukuzumiro.

Alternatives to Fukuzumiro:

If Fukuzumiro is full, here are some alternatives:

$ – Under US$50 | $$ – US$50 – $200 | $$$ – Over US$200

• Matsuzakaya Honten ($$$) – This highly-rated place is heavenly; try to get a room with its own private outdoor bath; Breakfast & dinner included. Rating: 9.5/10 | Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda
• Hananoyado Fukuya ($$$) – Location, location, location! Near Lake Aishi and surrounded by a beautiful forest. Rooms have private outdoor onsens. Option to include breakfast and dinner! Rating: 9.5/10 | Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda
• Hakone Kyuan ($$$) – Another beautiful place with stunning views; the room has its own private onsen and balcony with mountain views; Breakfast & dinner included. Rating: 9.3/10 | Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda
• Hakone Airu ($$$) – This Balinese-themed ryokan is so enticingly beautiful that I couldn’t resist adding it to this list! Rooms have their open-air bath with mountain views. Rating: 8.7/10 | Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

Great Place to Stay for Budget Travelers

The second time I visited Hakone, I stayed in Gora at a hostel called Onsen Guesthouse Hakone TENT (Booking.com | Agoda). I really liked this quirky hostel.

At the time I visited, they had dorm rooms and private rooms.

During my stay, I was delighted to find that the hostel offered not just one, but two private hot springs. The on-site restaurant, known for its delicious pizza, was a pleasant surprise. The staff, always ready to assist, added to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

However, the last time I checked Booking.com and Agoda, I no longer saw dorm rooms listed, and their prices were high for budget travelers.

Here are some highly-reviewed and cool alternatives for budget travelers:

$ – Under US$50 | $$ – US$50 – $200 | $$$ – Over US$200

• Onsen Guest House Tsutaya – I would stay here in a heartbeat. It’s near Kowakudani Station. You can choose from dorms or private rooms. There’s an outdoor onsen and a kitchen with complimentary coffee. You might have to book a minimum of 2 nights. Rating: 9.3/10 (1,500 Reviews) Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

• Asante Inn ($ – $$) – Asante Inn has both dorm rooms and private rooms. Includes a private onsen, garden, and mountain views. Rating: 9.2/10 | Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

• K’s House ($ – $$) – Both dorms and private rooms; has a terrace with mountain views, open-air onsen, and kitchen. Rating: 8.8/10 | Book Your Stay:  Booking.com | Agoda
• Rohen Resort and Lounge ($) – This charming and cozy place has both dorms and affordable private rooms. There’s a restaurant and bar on site. Walking distance to Lake Aishi! Rating: 8.6/10 | Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda
• Mount View Hakone ($$) – An affordable hotel with great outdoor onsen as well as an option for traditional Japanese-style multi-course breakfast and dinner. Rating: 8.9/10 | Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

How to get around Hakone

I wish my home country of the United States had the kind of public transportation system that Japan has. Hakone’s is no exception. It’s both extensive and user-friendly. It makes completing this Hakone itinerary a breeze.

Your Hakone Freepass covers the cost of the train and bus, the cable car, the ropeway, and the boat across Lake Ashi.

To get around, you can use the paper Hakone Bus Trip Map that you’ll get at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center. It’s super easy to use and more helpful than Google Maps.

Taking the Bus Around Hakone

Hakone has an excellent bus system. According to the Hakone Bus Trip Map, I counted 14 bus routes. Each route is given a letter (T, TP, H, L, G, etc.). Look for the letter at bus stops and on the front of buses.

To take the bus from the Hakone-Yumoto Train Station, cross the street via a pedestrian flyover and turn left. You’ll find a Hakone Tozan Bus Information office.

Look for the bus stop with the letter of your route. On the weekend I visited, there were bus employees guiding tourists to the correct bus stop.

For more information including bus routes and their schedules, you can check out the very useful Hakone Tozan Bus website.

Taking the Train Around Hakone

The train line is the same one that you arrived on from Odawara: the Hakone Tozan Railway.

It takes you all the way to Gora Station, where you can catch the cable car that takes you to the ropeway to Owakudani and then eventually the lake.

Hakone Itinerary: Day 1

To be able to complete this itinerary, get to Hakone by noon or 1:00 pm at the latest. This is possible if you’re coming from Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, or Tokyo.

Stop #1: Drop off your luggage

When you get to Hakone, drop your luggage at the luggage storage place at the Hakone-Yumoto train station. You can store them there, or you can have them delivered to your hotel for a fee.

If you have time, you may be able to drop them off at your accommodations. One thing I learned was that Ryokans don’t like it if you show up early.

Stop #2: Hakone Open Air Museum

COST: ¥1600 (US$12/£11/€12); there’s for ¥100 coupon for a discount you can print off; show your Hakone Freepass for additional discounts | OPEN: 9:00-5:00 pm

Begin your trip to Hakone at the Hakone Open Air Museum. Make sure to get there early so that you can spend 3 hours wandering around this gorgeous and fascinating museum and soaking your feet in the foot bath and cafe.

This is one place you shouldn’t miss even if you are not a fan of museums. It’s a fun outdoor museum (plus some indoor exhibits) surrounded by the beautiful forested mountains of Hakone. It’s the best sculpture museum I’ve been to. You’ll find works of art by both Japanese and international artists.

How to Get to the Museum:

You can get to the museum by train or bus.

Train: Take the Hakone-Tozan train to Chokoku-no-mori station. It’s then a short walk to the museum.

Bus: Get off at the Ninotaira-iriguchi stop. It’s also a short walk to the museum.

Here are some don’t miss exhibits:

The Picasso Exhibit – A building full of two stories of Picasso’s works of art including paintings, ceramics, and photographs. 

Also, check out the Symphonic Sculpture. You can enter the sculpture and walk up a winding staircase to the top of a tower overlooking the whole park.

Miss Black Power sculpture was another of my favorites.

Stop #3: Dinner

Next, return to your accommodations for dinner.

If you’re staying at a traditional Japanese-style inn, a multicourse dinner will probably be included in the price of your room. You should try this experience at least once in Japan even though it can be a bit pricey.

The cut-off for checking in to your ryokan can be quite early. My ryokan was 6:00 pm. Dinner was also at a fixed time, so I needed to be on time. I recommend getting to your hotel before 5:00 pm and if you have time before dinner, taking a pre-dinner dip in an onsen.

Stop #4: Onsen

Before or after dinner or both, soak in a Japanese onsen (hot springs). It is one of the most pleasurable things one can do in Hakone—it’s one of the top 5 hot springs places in Japan.

Most ryokans should have one. The ryokan and hostel I stayed at during my 2 visits to Hakone had their own onsen baths. The Japanese are very serious about following all the steps and not deviating from the protocol when bathing. My ryokan had instructions in English along with photos explaining what you can and can’t do.

The Japanese like to soak in an onsen three times during their stay in a ryokan: before dinner, after dinner, and in the morning.

If your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb doesn’t have an onsen, here are some public ones you can check out:

• Tenzan (COST: ¥1,450 – you used to be able to get a discount with your Hakone Freepass | OPEN: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm | Tattoos okay) Wonderful public onsen with several outdoor baths. There are also 2 good restaurants – the unagi is really good and they serve turtle hot pot; I visited this onsen on my second visit to Hakone and I highly recommend it! Take the K Bus Line from Hakone-Yumoto Station and get off at the Okuyumoto Iriguchi Bus Stop.
• Ikkyu (COST: ¥1,200 | OPEN: 11:00 – 20:00; closed on Thursdays | Tattoos are okay) —This onsen is owned by the same people who run Tenzan Onsen.
• Hakone Yuryo (COST: ¥1,600 (weekdays) ¥1,900 (weekends) | OPEN: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (closes at 9:00 pm on weekends) | No tattoos) – It bills itself as a traditional countryside hot spring resort. They have both public and private onsen baths. A restaurant also serves irori cuisine – food cooked over a charcoal grill on skewers. They have a FREE shuttle bus to the resort from Hakone-Yumoto Station.
• Hakone Kowakien Yunessun (COST: ¥3,500 (both swimwear and no clothes area); ¥2,500 (swimwear pools); ¥1,500 (no clothes area) | OPEN: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (weekdays); 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (weekends) – Along with water slides and traditional-style onsens, Yunessun has specialty baths like a sake bath where you bathe in sake, a green tea bath, a coffee bath, and a wine bath. You can check out reviews of Yunessun on Tripadvisor.

Hakone Itinerary: Day 2

Day 2 is jampacked with tons of nature, history, and great views. You might even be able to spot Mt. Fuji!

Stop #1: Cable Car and Ropeway to Owakudani

Start day 2 of your Hakone itinerary by taking the cable car from Gora Station to Sounzan. Then take the ropeway to Owakudani.

Both the cable car and ropeway are covered under your Hakone Freepass.

Stop #2: Owakudani

When you get to the end of the ropeway, you’ll be at Owakudani, the Great Boiling Valley.

It was so foggy and cloudy that I didn’t see much from the ropeway. If the weather is nice, you can supposedly see amazing views of Mount Fuji.

The highlight of the mountain is the Great Boiling Valley, Owakudani.

The first thing you’ll notice will be the smell of sulfur.

Yep. The valley is an active volcano and you’ll see steam coming out of these vents in the earth.

The volcano was last active in 2019.

Make sure to do one last touristy thing before leaving Owakudani and that is to try the black eggs.

They’re just eggs that have been boiled in a hot spring. They taste just like a regular egg, but rumor has it that they’re supposed to add seven years to your life. I’m pretty sure no studies have scientifically proven this, so we’ll never really know. In fact, these eggs could just take 7 years away from your life.

Stop #3: Ropeway to Togendai

Take the ropeway down to the shore of Lake Aishi at Togendai.

Stop #4: Pirate Ship Cruise Across Lake Ashi

At Togendai take the pirate ship across Lake Ashi to Hakonemachi-ko. The pirate ship is included in your Hakone Free Pass.

There are 2 ports: Hakone-machi-ko and Motohakone-ko.

Hakone-machi-ko is closer to the next stop on this Hakone itinerary: the Hakone Checkpoint.

Can you See Mount Fuji from Hakone?

On my first visit to Hakone, I didn’t see Mount Fuji. The weather was so bad that even one of the piers was closed.

However, on my second visit, I could see the top part of Mt. Fuji.

You’re most likely to see Mount Fuji in the winter months.

The photo above is what you would be able to see if the sky was clear. You can see Mount Fuji in the background.

However, if it’s cloudy, you can forget about seeing it.

Stop #5: Hakone Checkpoint on the Tokaido Road 

COST: ¥500 original price; ¥400 (US$3.60/£ 2.75) with Hakone Freepass for adults; ¥250 original price; ¥150 with Freepass (US$1.50/£1.05) for children | OPEN: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Dec 1 – Feb 28: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm | BUS STOP: Hakone-sekisho-ato

After getting off the pirate ship, walk to the Hakone Checkpoint (Hakone Sekisho), a reconstruction of the last checkpoint on the Tokaido Highway. It’s a 5-minute walk.

There are 2 parts to the Checkpoint:

• reconstructed buildings
• museum

A lot of the signs are only in Japanese, but you can get a printed English guide at the entrance. There’s also an audio recording playing in one of the buildings that describes the checkpoint. If you wait long enough or you’re just lucky, you’ll hear the English version.

As a passionate history enthusiast, I was captivated by the rich historical significance of the checkpoint, a place that played a crucial role in Japan’s past.

I found it fascinating that the guards were more concerned with ensuring women weren’t smuggled out of Edo than with preventing weapons from being smuggled into the capital. Luckily, female guards inspected them.

But just the fact that they were so concerned with women leaving shows that the daimyo’s (lord’s) wife and offspring were hostages of the shogun. With his family in Edo, the daimyo were less likely to rebel and try to overthrow the shogun. I guess this tight control worked because Japan had no civil wars for over 250 years and thus, prospered economically during that time.

The checkpoint is located right on the edge of Lake Ashi. You can climb up a guard post to see views of the lake.

Stop #6: Tokaido Road

After visiting the Hakone Checkpoint, take the Old Tokaido Road to Moto-Hakone-ko, which is the pier for the pirate boat that takes you across the lake. This Tokaido Road is not the one with the original stones. That one comes later.

To find the Tokaido Road, go past the large parking lot and look for a sign saying “Cedar Avenue 50 meters.” Follow the arrows and cross the main road. You’ll see a bus stop on your right and the beginning of a path through a forest on your left. Take the path!

If you start walking toward Moto-Hakone (away from the Hakone Checkpoint), you should come to a path lined with tall Cedar trees. This path was part of the Tokaido Road. It’s a nice and easy walk of about 15 minutes to Moto Hakone pier.

Stop #7: Lunch

There are lots of restaurants located near the Moto-Hakone pier.

I bought some food at the 7-11 across the street from the pier and had a picnic by the lake. While looking out over the lake, the clouds moved away enough to give me a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.

Stop #8: Hakone Jinja Shrine

COST: free | OPEN: 9 am to 4 pm

About a 10-minute walk from the pier is the Hakone Jinja Shrine.

After you’ve been in Japan for a while, it’s really easy to get shrined out and think about skipping this one.

However, the Hakone shrine is one of those photo opportunities you don’t want to pass up. A shot of you and the shrine is worthy of putting on Instagram. But the line to take a photo are long.

The original shrine was built around 1200, but the current buildings are from the twentieth century.

Stop #9: Stone-Paved Road of the Old Hakone Highway

COST: free | OPEN: 24/7 | BUS STOP: Moto-Hakone-ko

The next thing you should do is hike the original stone-paved road of the Old Hakone Highway / Old Tokaido Road.

This trail is different from the one you walked on earlier. It’s paved with the original stones and walking on them can be a real adventure. Wear good shoes as the stones are VERY slippery!

You can take the path all the way to Hakone Yumoto. While walking the road, I met some other travelers who had started in Hakone Yumoto. They said it was taking them at least three hours, and it wasn’t easy.

I took the path to the Amakaze Teahouse and then took a bus back to the pier. You can also take the bus to Hakone-Yumoto. Google Maps says it takes 30 minutes. For me, with my bad arthritic knees, it took me an hour to get to the teahouse.

The Tokaido was the most important of the five highways in Japan. It was supposed to take men 12 days and women 15 days to traverse the road from Kyoto to Edo.

Later on, when the shogun loosened travel restrictions in Japan, more and more people started traveling around the country. This led to more towns and tourism facilities opening up along the five highways. Guidebooks describing the road and famous sites around Japan became popular. The Tokaido Road also became a popular subject of woodblock prints. The most famous prints of the 56 post towns are by Hiroshige.

Stop #10: Amazake Teahouse

I’d suggest at least walking to the historic Amazake teahouse, one of the last remaining rest stops for weary travelers on the Tokaido Road, where you can have some tea, their special amasake, and something sweet to eat. I ordered the amasake (¥400) and Chikara Mochi (¥500). It’s a nice and cozy place to rest.

I took the bus back to Moto-Hakone, which is where the boat is (cross the street to catch the bus). You can also take the bus to Hakone-Yumoto.

Stop #11:  Visit an Onsen

I recommend ending your day in Hakone with a visit to one of Hakone’s famous public onsens. 

Tenzan Onsen

I decided to visit Tenzan Onsen because my guesthouse and guidebook recommended it as the best one in Hakone.

To get there from Amakaze Teahouse, take bus K to Oku-Yumoto Iriguchi (10-15 minutes). You can catch bus K right outside the front door of the teahouse. The last bus is at 4:00 pm.

There’s very little English at the onsen. I just followed what everyone else did.

1. 1. Purchase a ticket for the onsen at a vending machine outside the building. If you have the Hakone Freepass, you only pay ¥1,200.
   2. Enter and put your shoes in a locker
   3. Give the attendant your ticket
   4. Go downstairs to the changing room
   5. Find a locker and take off all of your clothes but keep your towel with you. Men and women bathe in separate areas.
   6. Put the locker key around your wrist
   7. Go to the shower room and thoroughly wash yourself; a lot of Japanese wash their hair
   8. Enter the bathing area and go from pool to pool.

Tenzen has 7 outdoor pools of varying temperatures and 2 sauna rooms. One pool’s water is a milky color, which has always seemed very popular, and another bath is ice cold. One pool is partially inside a cave.

When you’re finished, there are places to dry your hair and fix your makeup.

You can also go up some stairs to a room filled with tatami mats and beanbag chairs and have a rest.

Stop #12: Dinner at Tenzan

I had dinner at Tenzan. They have 2 very nice restaurants with decent prices. Neither of them has English menus, but there are photos on the menus.

At Tenzan, you’ll find two unique dining experiences. One restaurant serves the popular shabu-shabu and a variety of other dishes, while the other specializes in soba noodles. 

Both of them are in a building connected by a bridge to the building with the onsens. One restaurant is upstairs and the other is just below that.

I ate at the one on the first floor. I had the unagi (eel) for ¥1,850. Unagi is my favorite Japanese dish but it was also the only thing on the menu besides shabu-shabu that I could understand.

Overall, I spent 3 hours at Tenzan bathing, resting, and eating.

Stop #13: Getting from Tenzan to Hakone-Yumoto Station

After you visit the onsen, you can take Bus K to Hakone-Yumoto Station. The last four K buses from Tenzan to Hakone-Yumoto station leave at 6:23, 6:58, 7:48, and 8:48 pm. It takes 5 minutes by bus back to the station. The bus costs 230 yen if you don’t have the Hakone Freepass.

There’s also a hotel shuttle bus from Tenzan to the Hakone-Yumoto train station. It costs 100 yen, and the last shuttle leaves Tenzan at 6:55 p.m.

Stop #14: Leaving Hakone

You can either stay in Hakone one more night or travel back to Tokyo that evening.

Take a bus or train from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Odawara. In Odawara, you’ll need to either take the Odakyu Train to Shinjuku Station or the JR Shinkansen Train to Shinjuku or Tokyo Stations.

JR Train leaves from a different part of the station in Odawara than the Hakone-Tozen Line and the Odakyu Line. Look for signs pointing you to the Shinkansen Trains in Odawara.

Resources for Your Hakone Itinerary

• Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center has information on how to get to Hakone and how to purchase the Freepass
• Romance Car: It has information on how to purchase tickets and how to take the Romance Car to Hakone.
• Enjoy Hakone: Do you want more information about the hot springs in Hakone?
• The Japan Times has some interesting articles on the hot springs of Hakone.
• Japan Experience has some information about the Amazake Teahouse.
• For information on taking the pirate ship across Lake Ashi
• Official Hakone Tourism website
• More information on the history of Hakone and the Tokaido Road
• Hakone Navi – This website has the best information on Hakone and its transportation system. 
• Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan – Information on how to buy the JR Pass

Final Thoughts: Hakone Itinerary

Hakone is worth a visit as long as you know what to see and do there. Staying in a nice ryokan and spending some time at an onsen will also add to your experience. If you can actually see Mount Fuji, it would be an added treat. Try to get in some hiking as well. I’d say that the more historical sights and the art museum were more interesting for me than the boat ride, ropeway, and cable car excursion. That might have been because the sky was so overcast that I couldn’t see much.

Have you been to Hakone?

Are you planning to add Hakone to your Japan itinerary?

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment box below.

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