Hakone is a short train ride from Tokyo, but feels like a world away. The fastest way to reach Hakone is to take the Shinkansen to Odawara Station and then the short 15 minutes train ride to Hakone Yumoto at the base of the Hakone mountains.
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Alternatively, the Odakyu line runs between Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and Hakone-Yumoto Station. There is an express train which takes around 85 minutes or a slower, cheaper train which takes around two hours (you change at Odawara Station). Another option is to buy a Hakone Free Pass.
Make the most of a day out in the mountain town of Hakone, only 1.5 hours from Tokyo, with our Hakone Day Trip Itinerary. We've included a second day extension for those who want to stay overnight and explore the area further. When it comes to day trips, Hakone is one of the top choices for most visitors to Japan.
Yes, you can use the JR Rail pass to get to the Hakone area. The JR Rail Pass can be used on JR Trains and the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) only. You can get to Odawara Station using your JR Rail pass, but from there you will need to pay for transportation separately.
There is so much to see and do in the Hakone Region that we would definitely recommend that you plan to stay in Hakone for at least 1-2 nights to make the most of the local options. However, many people are on a tight timeframe when they visit Japan so plan to do a day trip to Hakone instead.
Many splendid views of Mt.Fuji can be found around the Hakone area. Each viewpoint shows a different profile of the famous mountain and the surrounding areas are also worth exploring for the diverse historical and natural sites.
Most of all this area is known for the unforgettable view of Mount Fuji rising up above Lake Ashinoko. Although Hakone is closer to Tokyo, it can be reached from Osaka fairly easily by train, and by bus.
An easy loop tour you can follow through Hakone includes various forms of unique transportation: Starting out by train from Tokyo, you switch to a small three-car tram that zigzags up the mountain, then change to a cable car, and then to a smaller ropeway, and end your trip with a boat ride across Lake Ashi, stopping ...
Hakone: If you don't have a rail pass, the cost from Tokyo is much cheaper vs from Kyoto. And if you have a nationwide JR Pass, you can take Shinkansen to Odawara and then transfer to an Odakyu train to Hakone. The entire trip takes around 45 minutes.
However, the most efficient and stress-free way to get there is by train. By obtaining a JRPass, tourists can take the shinkansen (bullet train), which will get you there in a little under two hours. If you don't have a pass, then you can take a regular train to the Hakone-Yumoto station, the main station in Hakone.
As for private tour, visiting both in a day is possible with a hired car. But even with a car, it's not so recommended for the above reason. One day for Mt. Fuji and one day for Hakone is recommended to appreciate the area fully.
Helpful InfoHAKONE AND KAWAGUCHIKOKawaguchiko gives one of the best views of Fuji in all of Japan, but the logistics of getting there and other activities are very limited. Hakone has good views of the mountain, but convenient connection to transportation and many other attractions in the area.
Hakone is generally very safe even at night. The crime rate is considerably low and the locals are friendly and respectful. Public transport is reliable, and streets are well-lit and clearly marked.
The one-way fare starts from ¥3600 for unreserved seating, but with a Japan Rail Pass you need only to pay ¥320 for the Hakone-Tozan line - easily done with a Suica or PASMO card (Limited Express trains require an extra ¥200 surcharge). With a good connection, the trip takes one hour.