Fuji Hakone one day trip sample itinerary. You can visit both Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone by day trip from Tokyo!

fuji kawaguchiko1 to 3 days
2016.09.25
View of Mt Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi
View of Mt Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi

I actually do not recommend to visit Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone in one day. There are many places to see. One way is not obviously enough to visit these places. But some of you have very tight schedule. You cannot choose which one you visit. You may be wondering if you have to visit one of Lake Kawaguchi or Hakone. This sample itinerary may be suitable for you. It is very very tight schedule and you have to give up many places. But you can visit most of highlights at both side of Fuji, Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi. You may be okay to see these places in Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi.

This itinerary has been created by timetable in September, 2016. If you try to do this plan, please check the updated timetable before you go.

If you look for the itinerary to Hakone only, please see the link below:

How to build the trip plan to Hakone. Various sample itineraries of Hakone

You also find 2-day itinerary of Fuji and Hakone in the link below:

Fuji and Hakone 2-day trip sample itinerary

Purchase Fuji Hakone Pass

This deal covers both Fuji and Hakone area. It is valid for 3 days. This is one day itinerary but this deal is cheaper than total fares anyway. Please get this pass day before departure day because you will leave Shinjuku in early morning.

Fuji Hakone Pass (official site)

If you want to take limited express train “Romancecar” from Hakone to Shinjuku, you may book when you purchase a pass. Limited Express seat fee is extra on top of Fuji Hakone Pass. But this express train takes you to Shinjuku directly from Hakone-Yumoto. Interior is very comfy. It is highly recommended.

Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi

Fuji Kyuko Railway's Kawaguchiko station. All bus services around Mt. Fuji depart / arrive in this station.
Fuji Kyuko Railway’s Kawaguchiko station. All bus services around Mt. Fuji depart / arrive in this station.

Shinjuku 06:05 (Express bus) 07:54 Kawaguchiko station (Lake Kawaguchi)
This is the earliest bus that runs in all season.

Shinjuku – Fuji Express Bus timetable

After you arrive in Lake Kawaguchi, you have two options.

Option 1, Mt. KachiKachi Ropeway and Lake Kawaguchi Cruise

View from Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway (C) Ippukucho (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
View from Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway (C) Ippukucho (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Kawaguchiko station 09:00 (walk 15 minutes) 09:15 Mt. Kachikachi (Kachikachiyama) Ropeway 10:05 (walk 15 minutes) 10:20 Lake Shore boarding pier 10:30 (Lake cruise) 10:50 (walk 10 minutes) 11:00 Kawaguchiko station

This option plan includes two popular attractions around Lake Kawwaguchi. You can view Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji from the view point by Kachikachiyama Ropeway. This gondola takes you to the observation deck at the mid mountain in 3 minutes.

Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway official site

After enjoy the view from the mountain, you board the ship on Lake Kawaguchi.

Kawaguchiko Lake Cruise “En Soleil”

These two attractions are not covered by Fuji Hakone Pass. But you can purchase discount combo ticket for gondola and cruise at Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway ticket booth. It is sold at 1,300 yen.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Tokyo
Hotels in Hakone
Hotels in Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko)

Option 2, Chureito Pagoda

One of most famous shot in Japan is taken at Chureito pagoda. (C) Fujiyoshida City / JNTO
One of most famous shot in Japan is taken at Chureito pagoda. (C) Fujiyoshida City / JNTO

Kawaguchiko station 09:35 (Fuji Kyuko railway local train) 09:49 Shimo-Yoshida 11:07 (Fuji Kyuko railway local train) 11:21 Kawaguchiko station

You may have seen the photo of Chureito Pagoda. This is very famous spot especially in cherry blossom season. You can enjoy the view of cherry blossom, pagoda and Mt. Fuji at same time. It may be the best place to see cherry blossom in Japan.

Chureito is one of the building in the shrine. Official name of this place is Arakura Fuji Sengen shrine. This shrine is only 10 minutes away from Shimo-Yoshida station of Fuji Kyuko Railway. Unfortunately the train does not run very frequently between Kawaguchiko and Shimo-Yoshida. There is no earlier trains to get Shimo-Yoshida.

Option 3, Fuji Subaru line 5th station

This option is available during summer season only. Because the number ot trips is fewer in the winter time. You cannot complete the trip to 5th station in the morning during the winter time.

Kawaguchiko 08:30 (Fujikyu bus) 09:25 Fuji Subaru line 5th station 10:30 (Fujikyu bus) 11:15 Kawaguchiko

Fuji Subaru line 5th station is a popular place in Kawaguchiko area. But it is about one hour away from Kawaguchiko. If you go to 5th station, you cannot see any other places around Lake Kawaguchi.

Lake Kawaguchi to Gotemba Premium Outlet or Gotemba station

You can choose 1 hour at Kawaguchiko area or 1 hour at Gotemba Premium Outlet. You cannot get both because this trip schedule is very tight.

If you want 1 hour at Kawaguchiko, you can get a lunch time at Kawaguchiko and your schedule to Gotemba is the following:

Kawaguchiko station 12:30 (Fuji Kyuko bus) 14:00 Gotemba station

If you want to visit Gotemba Premium Outlet, your trip schedule is the following:

Kawaguchiko station 11:30 (Fuji Kyuko bus) 13:05 Gotemba Premium Outlet

Gotemba Premium Outlet is very popular spot for a shopping spree. You do not have enough time to eat lunch before you leave Kawaguchiko. Please try to eat something at Outlet mall.

Fuji Kyuko Bus between Kawaguchiko and Gotemba timetable

Gotemba Premium Outlet or Gotemba station to Owakudani via Togendai

Hakone Ropeway is one of the best way to see the mountains surrounding Hakone. (C) Odakyu Electric Railway / JNTO
Hakone Ropeway is one of the best way to see the mountains surrounding Hakone. (C) Odakyu Electric Railway / JNTO

If you arrive in Gotemba station, your schedule is the following:

Gotemba station 14:20 (Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus) 15:00 Togendai (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani

If you arrive in Gotemba Premium Outlet, your schedule is the following:

Gotemba Premium Outlet 14:00 (Hakone Tozan Bus) 14:22 Sengoku 14:41 (Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus) 15:00 Togendai (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani

There are lots of routes of the bus in Hakone. It is sometimes very hard to find the best route. You can check the route and schedule in the link below.

Hakone Navi – Transportation guide and the timetable

Owakudani cannot be missed in Hakone. This is an active volcanic area. You can experience lots of steam and bubbling hot springs along the short trail. Boiled egg that is cooked in this hot water is very famous food at Owakudani. You may try to eat this local food.

Owakudani is one of Must-See spots in Hakone. ©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO
Owakudani is one of Must-See spots in Hakone. ©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO

You can access there by gondola from Togendai where is located at the shore of Lake Ashi. Hakone Ropeway is operated until 17:00 during the summer season. But the operation hour is shorter and it is operated until 16:15 in the winter season. You have to leave Owakudani around 15:55. Your actual time to stay in Owakudani is approximately 30 minutes. Most of you spend usually 20 minutes to walk the trail.

Hakone Ropeway official site

Owakudani to Hakone-machi Port via Togendai

Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji ©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO
Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji (C) Odakyu Electric Railway / JNTO

Owakudani 15:50 (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) 16:10 Togendai 16:20 (Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) 17:00

You will take the sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi that is most famous lake in Hakone. You will enjoy one way trip from Togendai to Hakone-machi.

Hakone Checkpoint historical site is one of famous spots in Hakone and that is located near Hakone-machi port. But it is open until 17:00 (16:30 in winter time). You have to enter 30 minutes before closing. If you want to visit there, you have to give up Owakudani.

If you travel there between December and February, cruise ship leave at 16:10.

Hakone Sightseeing Cruise official site

Hakone-machi port to Hakone-Yumoto

Hakone-machi 17:38 (Hakone Tozan Bus) 18:00 Hakone-Yumoto

There are many more bus services available to Hakone-Yumoto. You can find some more route at Hakone Tozan Bus route finder.

Hakone Tozan Bus official site, Route search

Hakone-Yumoto is the biggest Onsen town in Hakone. You can take just an Onsen bath without overnight stay. I have two recommended Onsen facilities. I put the links but these are unfortunately in Japanese. These two Onsen facilities are located within 5 minutes from Hakone-Yumoto station by walk.

Kappa Tengoku
It is located just behind Hakone-Yumoto station. It is open until 22:00. You can eat some light meals and drinks there too.

Yajikita no Yu
It is located in Hakone-Yumoto ryokan area. It is open until 21:00. This facility does not have a dining.

Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku

Interior of Odakyu Romancecar 50000 series. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Interior of Odakyu Romancecar 50000 series. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Hakone-Yumoto (Odakyu Railway 1.5 hours by Romancecar without transit, 2 hours with transit at Odawara) Shinjuku

Odakyu railway train runs until late night. I recommend you to take Odakyu Railway’s limited express train, “Romancecar”. It connects Hakone-Yumoto and Shinjuku directly and it offers very comfy accommodation. You have to pay extra 1,110 yen for the seat fee but it is worth paying. Please see the timetable of Romancecar in the link below:

Odakyu Railway Romancecar timetable

If you do not want to pay any extra, you can take local train to Odawara from Hakone-Yumoto. And you can take a regular commute train to Shinjuku.

Hope this itinerary gives you some idea to make your trip plan!

Comments

  1. Michelle says:
    September 4, 2017 at 5:04 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    I’m planning for a 2D1N trip to Fuji/Hakone and I wish to follow your sample itinerary. We plan to engage a driver for 2 full days start from Tokyo. I have a few questions:

    1. Do you recommend to get the Fuji Hakone free pass? (Only Intent to try the kawaguchi ropeway, boat, Hakone Ropeway and Lake Ashi Cruise)

    2. Should we visit Kawaguchi or Hakone first from Tokyo? We plan to stay at Hakone.

    3. Apart from the sample itinerary, do you have any other recommendation to slot into the 2 full days?

    Thank you very much for your help.

    Michelle

  2. Yvonne Choy says:
    August 28, 2017 at 4:41 am

    Hi,
    I intend to purchase the Fuji hakone 3 day pass.. I am not sure if I should stay at lake kawaguchi for 2 nights and Explore Fuji area on 1st day and then 2nd day explore hakone.. I am not sure if I need to change place to stay at hakone? Is it time consuming if I stay at lake and explore hakone and then back to lake?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 28, 2017 at 6:24 am

      Hi Yvonne,

      Not recommended in my opinion. Because it takes at least two hours from Lake Kawaguchi to Hakone. So if you have round trip, you need to spend 4 hours. And also if you use Fuji Hakone Pass, you need to go back to Shinjuku from Hakone. You cannot take the express bus from Lake Kawaguchi to Shinjuku. This pass includes one way to/from Lake Kawaguchi and one way to/from Hakone. So if you access to Lake Kawaguchi first, you have to go back to Shinjuku from Hakone. In my opinion, Hakone is the place to stay in 2nd night. Otherwise try to leave early Shinjuku and visit Lake Kawaguchi. And move to Hakone on day 1.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Berlin says:
    August 21, 2017 at 6:28 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    My plan is to go Hakone first and to Lake Kawaguchi. Possible to follow your sample itinerary?

  4. Nikunj says:
    August 16, 2017 at 3:25 am

    Hi Takeshi, hope you’re well. Thank you for the above post. Definitely informative & also an eye opener (on the number of transport options & changes involved) to see Kawaguchiko-Hakone area.

    My wife & I are visiting Japan for the first time next month. Could you suggest how best to organise an iternary to kawaguchiko/hakone/both with these details?

    – 4th Sep: Landing in Tokyo 7:30pm.
    – 14th Sep: Departing from Tokyo 8:30pm.
    – We have purchased 7 Day JR pass

    – Initial plan was to stay the 1st night (4th) in Tokyo & depart for Kyoto next morning.
    – Spend 4 days (5-6-7-8 Tue-Fri) in Kyoto&Osaka Region
    – Leave Osaka on 9th (Sat Morning) & spend the Sat-Sun in Kawaguchiko/Hakone area before returning to Tokyo on Sun night (10th).
    – Spending next 4 days in Tokyo before flying back to melbourne on 14th night.

    Q- Is this better or should we do the hakone-kawaguchiko on route from tokyo to kyoto instead?
    Q- better to stay at Hakone/Kawaguchiko for that one night?
    Q- If we follow the above plan, what iternary do you suggest we follow for Osaka-Hakone&Kawa-Tokyo (keeping JR pass in mind)?

    We’d really like to do the below
    – kawaguchiko cable car, boat trip on kawa/Ashi/both lakes (priority for the pirate looking one).
    – Not keen on the shopping centre etc as will have 7-8 days in metro cities for that.
    – should we still invest in a local area pass (givej we have jr pass) or just add on extra trips as necessary?

    Appreciate your help with this.
    Regards

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 16, 2017 at 5:51 am

      Hi Nikunj,

      You can squeeze Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi between Osaka and Tokyo. You can get off the train at Odawara and I recommend you to get Fuji Hakone Pass Odawara version. JR Pass does not cover anything after Odawara and before reaching Otsuki.
      http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/fujihakone/

      This pass covers most of your stay in Fuji Hakone area. But when you go back to Tokyo from Lake Kawaguchi, you need to add the fare for Fuji Kyuko railway from Shimo-Yoshida to Otsuki. This segment is outside coverage area of Fuji Hakone Pass. All other trips in Fuji Hakone area are covered by this pass. After you get Otsuki, you can start using JR pass again.

      You can stay in either places, Lake Kawaguchi or Hakone. If you are interested in Onsen, Hakone is better. And also in Hakone, Owakudani is highly recommended to visit:
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5203.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Nuwan says:
    July 1, 2017 at 7:48 am

    Dear Takeshi,
    Could you please let me know whether “Fuji Hakone Pass” will cover up to “Mt. Fuji 5th Station”? does the “Chuo Highway Bus” will go up to the 5th station ?
    Regards,
    Nuwan

  6. Elle says:
    June 24, 2017 at 1:36 pm

    Hi,
    We want to check both Fuji-san and Hakone but after seeing your schedule it seems very tight. We can either choose a tour or go by ourselves and we rather go at a more leisure pace. If we want to visit both in two different days, do you think the fuji-hakone freepass is a good option? We don’t want to stay there, but we would love to see fuji-san and visit hakone. I am teying to find the best option to see both.

  7. leann says:
    June 5, 2017 at 5:07 am

    Hi, May I ask how do travel from Kawaguchiko to Hakone? I am staying at Lake Kawaguchiko.

    Thank you!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      June 5, 2017 at 6:47 am

      Hi Leann,

      You need to take a bus to Gotemba, and then take another bus. There are lots of routes in Hakone. It’s varied by the place in Hakone and schedule. Please see the links below to find it:
      http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/route/detail/id/1
      https://www.hakone-tozanbus.co.jp/english/sp/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • leann says:
        June 6, 2017 at 12:28 am

        Hi, thanks for the reply.

        My aim is to go to Owakudani and also take the Hakone Ropeway.

        So is my route correct?

        Kawguchiko station to Gotemba Premium Outlet by Hakone Tozan Bus.

        Where do I alight to take hakone ropeway to Owakudani?

        Thank you!

        Leann

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          June 6, 2017 at 5:59 am

          Hi Leann,

          You will take Fuji Kyuko bus from Lake Kawaguchi to Gotemba outlet. It’s not operated by Hakone Tozan bus.
          After Gotemba outlet, you can follow same way in my sample above. You will get Togendai and then take ropeway to Owakudani. But usually you need to change the bus some point between outlet and Togendai. It’s varied by trip date and trip time. You can find it by the link which I gave you in previous reply.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Christina says:
    May 4, 2017 at 8:33 am

    Hi all,

    We are planning to spend 2D1N to enjoy Kawaguchiko and Hakone. Below are our list of interests….could you suggest the best itinerary and transportation (which pass that best support our need):

    – Kawaguchiko en-soleil excursion ship

    – Kachikachi Ropeway

    – Itchiku Kubota Art Museum

    – Kawaguchiko Hall of Herbs & Fragrance or KAwaguchiko Natural Living Center (which one is more interesting to see?)

    – Oishi Park to see the herb festival (we read that it’s held between June-July)

    – Saiko Iyashi no Sato

    – Mt. Fuji 5th trail station

    – Hakone Open Air Museum

    – Gotemba (2nd priority)

    thank you for your kind attention

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      May 4, 2017 at 11:44 am

      Hi Christina,

      If you start your trip from Tokyo, Fuji Hakone Pass is the best choice for your trip. And you can use my sample itinerary mostly and add a few things.
      You may stay in Lake Kawaguchi area. And you can make day trips other than Hakone open air museum and Gotemba. Please see the link below:
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html

      On 2nd day, you can proceed to Gotemba. After that, go to Hakone open air museum. You can go back to Tokyo from Hakone-Yumoto. Otherwise, you can catch the train at Odaawra to other destinations.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Valerie says:
    April 12, 2017 at 12:55 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    i will be going to Osaka with my boyfriend in sept 17 for 10 days. Hope you can clarify my below inquiries?

    Plan:
    Arriving at Kansai Airport Osaka – to Tokyo for (4 Days)
    Tokyo – to Osaka for ( 5 Days)
    Departing from Kansai Airport Osaka

    1. i will be arriving at kansai Airport Osaka at 930pm, i have already planned to purchase 7 Days JR pass. i am wondering will i be able to catch any last shinkansen train to Tokyo by JR pass on that day? if not, i am planning to stay one night near to the Kansai airport and take the next day morning earliest train.
    2. i will need to store my big luggage somewhere before i leave for Tokyo. where would you recommend?
    3. i will spend one night at Mt Fuji area on the way back from Tokyo to Osaka. is the JR pass convenient for use in the Mt fuji area? what is the JR station that i need to take off from Tokyo and take on to Osaka?
    4. i will only spend 5D 4N at Osaka before my departure, inclusive of 1 day trip to Kyoto and 1 day trip to Nara. do you think i could cover those most popular places?

    Please feel free to comment on my schedule and your kind recommendation is very much appreciated.

  10. Karen Wong says:
    April 11, 2017 at 8:58 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks so much with your previous feedback. Still dilemma with my schedule as we really wanted see Mt Fuji >. Lake Kawaguchi > there is a ‘Shiba-sakura festival’ around that area > have lunch

    then do you still possible to go Hakone? I actually only interested with Owakudani, but i guess i still need go through the Gotemba > ropeway etc only then i can reach Owakudani right?

    or it is best for me to spend my entire day around Lake Kawaguchi then head back to Shinjuku?

    Thanks again,
    Karen

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 11, 2017 at 4:25 pm

      Hi Karen,

      As you think, you need to go through Gotemba and Togendai (Gondola station). It takes 2.5 to 3 hours to get Togendai from Lake Kawaguchi. So it’s still possible to get Owakudani even if you have “early” lunch time in Lake Kawaguchi.

      Gondola operation hours 9:00 to 17:00. It takes 16 minutes from Togendai to Owakudabi. So you must be Togendai by 16:00.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Karen Wong says:
        April 11, 2017 at 6:06 pm

        Thanks Takeshi for your prompt response 🙂

        Can i just confirm with you that
        1. From Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi, take the express bus?
        2. takes bout 2 hours to reach Lake Kawaguchi
        3. Walk around Lake kawaguchi, take photos, Shiba-sakura festival, have lunch
        4. At what time do you recommend best to leave from Lake Kawaguchi? we will need to take the bus from Kawaguchi station to Gotemba then to Togendai (that will be 2-3hours ride). This will be covered by Hakone Pass if we purchase at Shinjuku – but since i’m not sure if my this itinerary workable or not, should i still buy it at Shinjuku OR i can buy at Kawaguchi station?

        Thanks again for assisting me on this. Appreciate your advice.

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