A day trip to Hakone

Hakone is one of the city in Japan that famous for it's hot springs (onsen), but other than that it's worth to visit because there are many places for sight-seeing. Hakone is accessible from Tokyo by all land of transportation (car, bus, trains). It become one of the most visited place other than Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

How to get to Hakone from Tokyo

The fastest route would be take Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo station to Odawara station and then change train to Hakone Yumoto station. It takes around half an hour for 3500 yen one way to get to Odawara station. 

The other alternative is by using Odakyu Train. It takes around two hours from Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto Station and cost 1190 yen one way. You can also choose the "Romance car" limited express cost 2080 yen one way for only 85 minutes. This alternative is already covered if you buy the Hakone Free Pass (you must pay additional fares for the Romance car).

You can also choose to take the Odakyu Highway Bus from Shinjuku Station to Lake Ashi. It cost you 2000 yen one way for around 2 hours in good traffic condition.

What is Hakone Free Pass?

Hakone Free Pass is access pass that can be used around Hakone area. This pass provide you with unlimited transportations around Hakone for two or three consecutive days, such as trains, buses, cable cars, ropeways, and boats. If you are planning to go to Fuji or Kamakura area, you can buy the Fuji-Hakone pass or Kamakura-Hakone pass for three consecutive days. 

You can buy the Hakone free pass here or buy on the spot at Shinjuku Station.

Things We Do in Hakone for A Day trip

Hakone is a big area with many places to visit. Unfortunately for this trip we only have one day here, so we planned carefully to visit Hakone's iconic sites as much as we can. Though it's early winter when we got here so all shops and places already closed mostly at 5.00 pm and sky getting dark around 5.30 pm. We recommend you to spend at least 2 days in here so you can experience Hakone at its best. 

Hakone Open Air Museum

A place when you can see the combination of nature and art at the same time. There are more than 120 artworks and sculptures with modern contemporary themed. The concept of open spaced museum makes us can relax and enjoy splendor of arts in nature.

You can find in here the Picasso Pavilion, art gallery of Pablo Picasso which present the wide range of his artworks including paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, etc. 

Admission fee 1600 yen. For using the Hakone Free Pass ony 1400 yen.

Woods of Net

Picasso Pavilion

Hakone Cable Car & Hakone Ropeway

After we arrived at Hakone Yumoto Station, we used Hakone Tozan Train to go to Gora. To reached Owakudani Crater, we must used the Hakone Cable Car from Gora to Souzan continued by Hakone Ropeway. All of this transportation cost already covered by Hakone Free Pass.

View inside the Hakone Ropeway

Owakudani Crater

After reached the Owakudani, we saw the Sulfurous crater that still active. Sometimes the place due to the volcanic gases. Owakudani famous for its Black Egg (A thousand years egg) that believe can prolong your age. There are many shops and restaurants in this area for grabbing some foods and gifts. Other than the black egg, we also recommend to buy the mochi in here. 

A glimpse view of Mount Fuji from Owakudani

We took our lunch here in one of their restaurant and try their Ramen and Katsu Rice. We also tried their chocolate soft ice cream, despite the cold weather we can't said no to ice cream. Too bad we didn't tried the black egg here because you must buy it 5 pcs minimum for 500 yen that too much for us since only me ate the black egg.

Lake Ashinoko

We took boats for cruising through the Lake Ashinoko for about 10-15 minutes to reach the Moto-Hakone port. Sometimes on the clear day you can also see the Mount Fuji from lake Ashinoko. Best chance is on the early morning or afternoon. Hakone Free Pass is also valid for this transportation. 

Sunset at Lake Ashinoko

Hakone Shrine

Located near the Moto Hakone there is a famous Hakone Shrine (Hakone Jinja). Most people known its big orange torii gate on the shore of Lake Ashinoko. The shrine it self located at the forest of Mount Hakone. Since the sun was already setting we decided only passed by into the main torii gate near the Lake Ashinoko and didn't continue to the main shrine (Motosumiya). But if you have plenty of time, you must visit the main shrine. To reach the main shrine there is a path from the torii gate in Lake Ashinoko with series of steps through the forest.

One of torii gate of Hakone Shrine

Other than these, there are many places and activities that can be done in Hakone. That's why I suggest you to stay at least 1 night in Hakone to experience more. The must try is the Hakone Hot Spring (Onsen). You can found many hot springs in here either in public bath house or private ryokan. 

Not far from Hakone, there is Gotemba Premium Outlet that have more than 200 stores such as restaurants, fashion, sports, luxury goods, and electronics. The price is cheaper than regular retail store that you find in Japan. It's a nice place to shopping !