THINGS TO DO IN HAKONE
Join us we discover the things to do in Hakone in our day tour activity. Visit Lake Ashi, ride the cable car to Owakudani, take a bite on black eggs and experience a unique onsen treat. Japan’s popular weekend local and tourist destination-Hakone. Explore its famous landmark’s natural beauty, mountainous town, and the famous volcano “Mt. Fuji” which can be seen on a clear day. Follow us as we share the things to do in Hakone in a day.
Where Is Hakone, Japan
Hakone is located in Kanagawa Prefecture, just to the west of Tokyo, Japan. It’s part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which is famous for its natural beauty, hot springs (onsen), and views of Mount Fuji. The distance from Tokyo is about 80 kilometers making it one of the popular day trip or weekend getaway.
How To Get To Hakone
Hakone is easy to reach from Tokyo, and here are the main options. The fastest way to go to Hakone is by train, if you are coming from Tokyo below are the two (2) train services that travel to Hakone.
1. Limited Express (Romancecar)
This is the fastest way to reach Hakone in just about 80 minutes. The train will depart from Shinjuku station and it will terminate at Hakone-Yumoto station which is the base of the Hakone journey.
One-way ticket: ¥2470
2. Rapid Express
It is the second-fastest way to reach Hakone, which consists only of fewer train station stops. Total travel time will be around 1 hr. and 30 minutes, this train departs at Shinjuku station and terminate at Odawara station. From Odawara station, you need to ride the Local Hakone-Yumoto train to reach the Hakone-Yumoto station in about 14 minutes.
One-way ticket: ¥1220
Hakone Free Pass
The Hakone Free Pass is a convenient and cost-effective travel pass for visitors exploring Hakone, a popular hot spring resort town near Tokyo. The pass covers transportation in the area, allowing you to access many of Hakone’s top attractions, including the famous Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi boat cruises, and the Hakone Tozan Railwa
What Does the Hakone Free Pass Include
- Travel on Tobu and Odakyu Railways
- Rides on the Hakone Tozan Railway
- Boat Cruise At Lake Ashi
- Bus Transportation Around Hakone
- Discounts on Attractions
Types of Hakone Free Passes
- 2-Day Hakone Free Pass
- 3-Day Hakone Free Pass
Things To Do In Hakone
Hakone is a stunning destination with a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural sites, and relaxing experiences. Basically it has something for everyone to explore with. Here are some of the top things to do in Hakone.
1. VISIT LAKE ASHI
A lake that was formed after the eruption of Mt. Hakone. It is one of the beautiful views of the mountains and trees where you can see Mt. Fuji and Hakone Shrine. However, we are not lucky to see Mt. Fuji because it was winter. We had a wonderful sightseeing on our cruise by the lake for 30 mins and we highly recommend you go for a cruise to appreciate Lake Ashi.
How To Get To Lake Ashi:
After alighting at Hakone Yumoto station, walk on the opposite side of the road where the shuttle bus stop is located. One of the buses will direct you to Lake Ashi through the Motohakone route bus.
2. HIKE THE HAKONE-JINJA SHRINE
It is a Japanese shrine, located near the shore of Lake Ashi. They say the shrine was built by a monk and has subdued a nine-headed dragon that lived at the bottom of the lake. One of the famous spots for tourists in Hakone.
How To Get There
After alighting at Hakone Yumoto station, walk along the opposite side of the road where there are buses that cater directly to Motohakone. Bus travel time is approximately 15 mins. Once reach Motohakone, walk for about 10 minutes to reach the place.
3. RIDE CABLE CAR TO OWAKUDANI
It is an active volcano where sulfur fumes can be experienced. Visiting Owakudani would not be complete without eating black boiled eggs and is believed to add 5 years to a person’s life span. Also, Owakudani is the perfect place to view Mt Fuji.
How To Get There
There are two ways on how to reach Owakudani; the first is through the Hakone Ropeway ride that runs along the Gora-Sounzan route; while the second one will be through Hakone Ropeway that runs between Togendai.
4. EXPERIENCE THE ONSEN
It is one of the famous Onsen in Hakone, where they offer both public and private bath experiences. Exploring Hakone would not be complete without experiencing the famous “Onsen”, (Japanese hot water spring) bath. We went to visit one of Hakone’s recommended onsen-Hakone Yuryo. Since, it was winter in Japan, what a good time to end our visit to Hakone is to soak on an onsen bath. The place offers public and private bath which for us we had chosen the private one. Onsen was very hot and relaxing after a day tour.Since, it was winter in Japan, what a good time to end our visit to Hakone is to soak on an onsen bath. The place offers public and private bath which for us we had chosen the private one. Onsen was very hot and relaxing after a day tour.
Opening Hours:
10:00am-9:00pm (MON-FRI)
10:00am-10:00pm (SAT-SUN)
Private Onsen: ¥5,500/hr (including towels)
How To Get There
Hakone Yuryo is located near the Hakone Yumoto train station, which is around 5 mins drive. There is a FREE shuttle service at the foot of the Hakone Yumoto station, where the shuttle interval timing is 15 mins.
5. TASTE THE HAKONE DELIGHTS
Black Curry Bread
A soft bread that is black on the outside and the filling was just the same as a normal curry but more flavorful which is also another type of food to look forward to when visiting Owakudani. The curry bread was known for its black color and it was tasty.
Price: ¥880
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Sunday, except for Public Holidays)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Our things to do in Hakone day tour were fun and interesting, from visiting the Tori gate to riding the cruise which drove us around Lake Ashi in very cold weather, to riding the ropeway going to the volcano and eating the famous black egg and curry. We roamed around the shops in town, ate Japanese food and desserts, shopping for goodies, and to cap the night we had our great onsen experience. The town was a one-hour train ride from Tokyo, but it was worth it to have experienced another side to Japan’s culture which was also overwhelming. That is a wrap on our Hakone day tour activity, we hope that you have a good time reading this information as you may need to use this in your future travel.
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HAKONE DAY TOUR ITINERARY
DAY TOUR
- 05:30 Arrive at Shinjuku Station
Visit the Odakyu Ticket Office
Collect Hakone 2-Day Free Pass - 06:00 Purchase one-way Romancecar
Ticket: Y 1,110 - 06:45 Ride Romancecar train
Depart Shinjuku
Head to Hakone - 07:15 Hakone-Yumoto Station
Head to bus stop opp the station - 07:30 Ride bus to Motohakone-ko
Hakone Tozan Bus
Bus No. K - 09:30 Alight bus stop Motohakone-ko
Walk towards Hakone-Jinja Shrine
Explore Hakone-Jinja - 10:15 Head to Motohakone-ko bus stop
Ride bus to Hakonemachi-ko
Bus No. - 10:45 Alight bus stop: Hakonemachi-ko
Walk to Hakone Checkpoint - 11:30 Head back to Hakonemachi-ko
Ride Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
Sail on Lake Ashi
Head to Togendai-ko - 12:15 Arrive at Togendai-ko
Walk to Hakone Roapway Station
Ride cable car - 13:20 Alight on Owakudani station
Explore the view of volcanic valley
Lunch - 14:30 Head to Sounzan
Ride cable car - 14:45 Alight Sounzan
Rde bus to Gora
Alight at Gora
Explore Gora Park - 16:30 Ride bus at Gora bus station
Head back to Hakone-Yumoto - 17:30 Visit Hakone-Yuryo Onsen
Reserve for Onnsen Bath - 18:00 Walk streets of Hakone
Early Dinner - 18:30 Head to Hakone Yuryo
Shuttle Bus Service
Onsen Experience
Privete Onsen ( Y5,500 for 1 hour) - 18:45 Head to Hakone-Yumoto Station
Ride train at Hakone-Yumoto
Head to Odawara
Alight Odawara and change train
Ride Odakyu Express to Shinjuku - 19:30 Arrive at Shinjuku Station
Head to Hotel
