Hakone is an excellent place to take a day trip from Tokyo in Japan. This is all the things to do in Hakone on a day trip from Tokyo.
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How long does it take from Tokyo to Hakone?
Hakone is a simple and convenient day trip from Tokyo. It is easily accessible by train due on the Odakyu rail line and only takes 1.5 hours. You can purchase train and day tour tickets online this is an awesome option!
What is the best time to visit Hakone?
Hakone can be visited year round. We went in November when the Autumn leaves were changing colour and it was beautiful! The days were filled with blue skies and the air was crisp, we even saw Mt Fuji!
Can you see Mt Fuji from Hakone?
Yes! We visited in November and saw beautiful views of Mt Fuji over Hakone. The best places was while going up the chairlift which is an absolute must! I have added the details of this below.
How much time for Hakone?
You can definitely just do a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone, however you will want to get there early and leave on the last train as there is a lot to do here! Alternatively you can plan to spend a night or two and soak up the pretty mountain town. If you want an easy experience you can book this day trip from Tokyo. It is all organised for you and is really highly rated, it even includes Mt Fuji. It does sell out so book early!
Where to stay in Hakone?
There are a variety of options. I really recommend booking as early as possible to get the best pricing, we found that Hakone was more expensive on the weekend so try to factor that in if possible. We were there on a Saturday and it was definitely more expensive accommodation than other days although this is true in most places in Japan.
There are beautiful places to stay in Hakone, it is a hot spring town so you can choose an accommodation with a private hot spring! Some of the best are:
HAKONE GORA ONSEN Hotel Kasansui – breakfast and dinner is included in the price and has an Onsen.
Hakone Guest House gaku. – traditional rooms, shared clean bathrooms and one of the cheapest options. Very clean, shared kitchen facilities and rooftop.
Setsugetsuka – stunning hotel, blend of traditional rooms with modern comfort, breakfast and dinner included and location is close to Gora Station.
Suiun – beautiful rooms, close to Gora Station, Onsen, breakfast and dinner included with some rooms,
Emblem Flow Hakone – excellent location near Gora Station. Beautiful hotel and can include breakfast
Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG – modern hotel with amenities and Onsen, very well rated and luxuriously comfortable rooms, breakfast included in some rooms.
Things to do in Hakone day trip from Tokyo
Hakone is very easy to get around. You will arrive at the Gora train station and from there you can decide where you want to do first.
The Hakone Ropeway
This is an absolute must when visiting Hakone, we absolutely loved it! You will start at the Gora Station and take a funincular up to Sลunzan Station to get on the Ropeway. At this station you will find a hot foot spa to sit at and enjoy the views and a drink. I also found a delicious strawberry ice cream mochi in the store there. The Ropeway will send you up over the mountains and across the Owakudani Volcano where you can see the sulfur smoke rising out of the fissures. It really is an incredible sight. You will arrive at the Owakudani Station where there is an observatory area, gift shop and incredible views.
Eat black eggs at Owakudani Station
This is another must do in Hakone! We were a little skeptical but we ended up doing it and thought it was pretty unique. You buy packs of 4 black eggs, they have been cooked in the hot sulfur springs which turns the shell black. The black eggs are transferred to a steamer for 15 minutes at 100 degrees. Honestly they do taste like normal hard boiled eggs, after peeling them they are slightly grey but taste pretty normal! It is a fun experience and unique to the area.
Ubako Station
We stopped off at Ubako Station and it was nice for a quick little look. There are some of the old cable cars to check out and a little walk out into the hills to see a view point. The best part is the great Mt Fuji views you can get by looking back on the station area.
Lake Ashi
You can continue on the Hakone Ropeway along the stations to end up at Lake Ashi. This is one of the most famous places in Hakone and it is where you will find the Red Tori Gate. Arriving here you can jump on a pirate ship and cruise the lake. We got so carried away we forgot to take pictures, but this was a fun adventure.
Hakone Shrine
This is a really nice spot and if you are not driving then you will need to get here by the boat cruise or bus. There is usually a really long line up for pictures as it is famous on Instagram. We decided to enjoy it in real time instead of joining the throng of people lining up, but it is a serene and nice place to visit.
The Hakone Pass
The Hakone Pass makes the above loop super easy. It also allows you travel on the buses and trains you will need to get around the Hakone area. I highly recommend this as it is all combined into one easy ticket and you will save money buy buying it. There are a couple of other options but they don’t include all of the Ropeway down to Lake Ashi or the boat trip. Definitely check out the pass here and see if it suits you. You can purchase it at the station but it does take up time if there are a lot of people arriving. You can purchase a 2 or 3 day one depending on how much time you have.
Gora Park
Gora Park is a really lovely place to enjoy some sun. It is included in your Hakone Pass as well. It is a large expanse of manicured gardens and some great workshops. There are lots of opportunities to learn technique and create some beautiful pieces of art, you just need to book the Crafthouse activities in advance here. Unfortunately we discovered this too late but I am planning on booking these for my next trip! There is a lovely restaurant in the park and I found some delicious rose ice cream to enjoy in the rose garden.
Open Air Museum
The open air museum is a must! It is a large outdoor space set in beautiful surroundings and full of large scultupures. Notably there are some Picasso pieces and a tall stained glass building. It is super popular and you will need a decent amount of time to see it all. It is included as a stop in many of the tours at the bottom of this blog if you are looking to include it in your day trip.
Hakone Yuryo
This is a beautiful place that is high on my list for our next trip. You can walk there along a lovely path or take a shuttle bus. You will be sumberged in serene hot spring baths with forest views. This is such a gorgeous activity. Hakone is really famous for their hot springs and this is the perfect way to experience this unique part of Japanese culture. Couples and families can reserve private onsen which do have an extra fee. There is also a strict no-tattoo policy. You can book your Onsen experience here as it does fill up.
Hike Japan Heritage Hakone Hachiri (Half Day)
This activity involves hiking 2-3 hours along the old Tokaido highway. Some of the hike is on cobbled paths and some on forest trails between Hakone Yumoto and Lake Ashi. This part of the Hachiri has the best preserved cobbled path and more primitive forests. Hiking past the wood crafting village of Hakone – Hatajuku and skipping the steepest part of the trail by bus to reach a 400 year old teahouse. Then continuing on hiking to Lake Ashi and the Hakone checkpoint. This is the last stop where you can then catch a bus or a ferry (pirate ship) to your next destination at around 1pm. This Hike is very popular and does sell out, some of the transport is not included and is detailed on the site.
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle makes for a great side trip from Hakone and also marks the home of one of Japan’s most important feudal clans. It is a great place to stop off on the way to or after Hakone. The castle is in excellent condition and there is the opportunity to learn some interesting history. I am very keen to visit on our next trip! You can also take part in a Ninja experience there although you do need to book early. You can book your castle entry ticket here.
Odawara: Forest bathing and onsen
You can also do a really cool forest Onsen bathing experience. It includes taking a peaceful walk in a forest and visiting a 600 year old temple. Feel the serenity and history around you on the forest walk which lasts up to approximately 2 hours. After the walk you can enjoy an Onsen and optional lunch. This sounds like the perfect way to realign yourself and soak up the peaceful nature of Japan.
Best tours for day trip to Hakone
These are the best options if you want to book a day trip tour to Hakone:
From Tokyo: Onsen, Arts, and Nature Day Trip to Fuji and Hakone – this day trip books out and is really well rated, super popular.
From Tokyo: Mt.Fuji, Hakone & Open-Air Musuem or Oshino Hakkai – Explore Hakone on a one-day tour from Tokyo. Ride the Hakone Ropeway, visit Owakudani and Lake Ashi, enjoy Hakone Shrine, and choose between the Open-Air Museum or Oshino Hakkai.
Private tour from Tokyo: Mount Fuji Private Customize Day Trip with Driver – if you prefer a private tour this one is very well rated.
Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide – a very busy day that really shows the main parts of each location
Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle – get to see each of the locations and enjoy the surrounds
Whatever way you choose to see Hakone we know you will love it! It really is a must visit in Japan. Check out our You Tube vlog of our time there. Like and Subscribe to our You Tube Channel to support us!
Where Next?
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