Fall/AutumnThis is one of the most popular times of the year to visit Hakone because of the colorful autumn foliage and changing leaves of the mountains. The cool evenings are the perfect time to relax in the onsen, the Japanese hot spring.
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Springtime comes around late March when the cherry blossoms of the mountains start to bloom. The cherry blossoms take about a month to fully bloom in the surrounding mountains of Hakone, making it the best time to visit Hakone. During March, the daytime temperatures tend to be lower, transitioning from winter.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.