I have shared a day trip sample itinerary of Fuji and Hakone before.
But this itinerary covers both Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone areas in one day. It is very tight and many places are not covered. If you can spend two days, you can enjoy Fuji and Hakone areas one day each. You can visit many more places easily.
In this sample itinerary, I tried to put most of popular spots in these areas. And also this plan includes Fuji Shibazakura festival which is most popular event in spring. You can do this trip from Tokyo to Tokyo. You also can squeeze this trip between Tokyo and Osaka. You can drop by this area on the way to Osaka or Kyoto from Tokyo or versa.
This itinerary has been created by timetable in March, 2018. If you try to do this plan, please check the updated timetable before you go.
If you look for the itinerary to Hakone or Fuji (Lake Kawaguchi area) only, please see the link below. You may get more information about access to these places and some sample itineraries:
How to build the trip plan to Hakone. Various sample itineraries of Hakone
Purchase Fuji Hakone Pass
This deal covers both Fuji and Hakone area. It is valid for 3 days. This is two days itinerary but this deal is cheaper than total fares anyway. Please get this pass day before departure day because you will be busy on departure day.
Odakyu Railway – Fuji Hakone Pass official site
There are two types of Fuji Hakone Pass, Shinjuku departure and Odawara departure. If you intend to use JR Pass, JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass, you may purchase Odawara departure. Because Odawara departure does not include Shinjuku to/from Kawaguchiko or Odawara. You may use your pass for this segment to save the total cost. If you squeeze this itinerary between Tokyo and Osaka (or Nagoya or Kyoto), you may use Odawara departure version anyway. You need only one way to Fuji. It does not make senses to use Shinjuku departure because it includes round trip between Shinjuku and Fuji/Hakone.
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.
Day 1 Shinjuku (Tokyo) to Lake Kawaguchi
On the first day of trip, enjoy sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchi area and stay overnight
Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi
If you use Fuji Hakone Pass Shinjuku departure version, you will take the express bus from Shinjuku bus terminal.
Shinjuku 07:45 (Express bus) 09:30 Kawaguchiko station (Lake Kawaguchi)
This bus schedule is based on 2017-18 winter schedule. The schedule may be changed when you travel. Please confirm the bus timetable when you build your trip plan.
Shinjuku – Fuji Express Bus timetable
If you use JR Pass, JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass, you may take the trains via Otsuki.
Shinjuku 07:30 (Limited Express Azusa 3) 08:30 Otsuki 08:35 (Fuji Kyuko Railway) 09:31 Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi)
Most of the trains from Otsuki depart from Fuji Kyuko Railway platform. But the train in this trip schedule is JR local train which goes from JR line to Fuji Kyuko line. This train is irregular and depart from JR train platform in Otsuki station. You do not need to enter Fuji Kyuko Railway Otsuki station. Please see the link below to find more information about Otsuki station.
Otsuki station guide. How to transfer from JR train to Fuji Kyuko train
This is based on 2017-18 winter schedule. Train schedule may be changed when you travel. Please confirm the train timetable when you build your trip plan.
After you arrive in Lake Kawaguchi, you have two options in the morning.
Option 1, Fuji Shibazakura Festival
This is very popular spring festival in Mt. Fuji area.
Kawaguchiko 9:40 (Shuttle bus “Fuji Shibazakura Liner”) 10:11 Shibazakura festival venue 11:30 (Shuttle bus “Fuji Shibazakura Liner”) 12:00 Kawaguchiko
This festival is very popular and very crowded. You should visit this at the beginning in your trip to minimize the congestion.
Option 2, Fuji Subaru Line 5th station
Kawaguchiko 9:50 (Fuji Kyuko route bus) 10:45 Fuji Subaru Line 5th station 11:40 (Fuji Kyuko route bus) 12:25 Kawaguchiko
In summer and autumn, you may visit 5th station at the halfway of the summit of Mt. Fuji. This is the highest point to visit without mountain climbing. You can visit 5th station in even spring season if you want.
Lunch time in Kawaguchiko and see Mt. KachiKachi Ropeway, Lake Kawaguchi Cruise and/or walk around Lake Kawaguchi
![View from Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway (C) Ippukucho (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/KachikachiyamaRopeway-600x400.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
After Shibazakura Festival or 5th station sightseeing, you have a lunch time around Kawaguchiko station. You have two hours break at Kawaguchiko station. You can take Gondola on Mt. KachiKachi or short cruise on Lake Kawaguchi.
If you take the gondola to go up to Mt. Kachikachi, you may take the following schedule.
Kawaguchiko station 13:00 (walk 15 minutes) 13:15 Mt. Kachikachi (Kachikachiyama) Ropeway (3 minutes by godola) Observation spot (3 minutes by gondola) 14:05 (walk 15 minutes) 14:20 Kawaguchiko station
Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway official site
If you take the lake cruise, you may take the following route:
Kawaguchiko station 13:10 (walke 10 minutes) Lakeshore boarding pier 13:30 (20 minutes Lake cruise) 13:50 (walk 10 minutes) 14:00 Kawaguchiko station
Kawaguchiko Lake Cruise “En Soleil”
In this lunch break, you cannot do both. And also if you travel in summer time, you come back to Lake Kawaguchi around 16:30. You still have a time to take lake cruise if you like. Please remember that you will take ropeway and lake cruise in Hakone too. So you can skip these attractions and just walk around Lake Kawaguchi.
These two attractions are not covered by Fuji Hakone Pass. If you intend to take both, you can purchase discount combo ticket for gondola and cruise at Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway ticket booth. It is sold at 1,300 yen. You will take ropeway and sightseeing cruise in Hakone too. Especially sightseeing cruise is much longer and ship is much bigger in Hakone. You may consider which attraction you really want to take and compare with Hakone’s.
Hotels in Tokyo
Hotels in Hakone
Hotels in Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko)
Visit Chureito Pagoda
Kawaguchiko station 14:29 (Fuji Kyuko railway local train) 14:43 Shimo-Yoshida 15:58 (Fuji Kyuko railway local train) 16:12 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 entrance of the shrine is only 10 minutes away from Shimo-Yoshida station of Fuji Kyuko Railway. But the pagoda is located about 15 to 20 minutes away from the station.
Unfortunately the train does not run very frequently between Kawaguchiko and Shimo-Yoshida. There is no earlier trains to get Shimo-Yoshida.
Day 2 Lake Kawaguchi – Gotemba – Hakone – Odawara – Shinjuku (or Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka)
Leaving from Lake Kawaguchi and proceed to Hakone area. You can drop by Oshino Hakkai or Gotemba Premium Outlet on the way.
Lake Kawaguchi to Oshino Hakkai
Kawaguchiko station 09:00 (Fuji Kyuko bus) 09:23 Oshino-Hakkai
Enjoy 1 hour walk in Oshino Hakkai.
Oshino Hakkai to Hakone Venetian Glass Museum via Gotemba and Sengoku
Oshino Hakkari 10:23 (Fuji Kyuko bus) 11:15 Gotemba station 11:45 (Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus) 12:05 Sengoku
Hakone Venetian Glass Museum is 1km away from Sengoku bus stop.
Actually you may take one earlier bus because the bus to Sengoku from Gotemba station at 11:15. It is exactly same time as arrival time in Gotemba. If you can catch this earlier bus, the bus stop at the museum. 1km walk is not required and you have extra 30 minutes at Sengoku
Anyway you have two hours at Sengoku. You can visit the museum and eat lunch. You can eat in the museum or around Sengoku bus stop.
How to put Gotemba outlet in the trip plan
Gotemba Premium Outlet is very popular spot for shopping spree. If you give up Oshino Hakkai, you can drop by outlet easily.
Kawaguchiko station 08:30 (Fuji Kyuko bus) 10:05 Gotemba Premium Outlet 11:40 (Hakone Tozan Bus) 12:02
You have 1.5 hours at outlet and catch up with the original schedule at Sengoku. However you have to leave Kawaguchiko 30 minutes earlier. And also you may carry lots of shopping bags while sightseeing. Even if you can find the lockers at each places, it may bother you.
Sengoku to Togendai and Lake Cruise
Sengoku 13:56 (Hakone Tozan Bus) 14:13 Togendai 14:20 (Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) 15:25 Togendai
Take a bus to get Togendai. Togendai is the hub of Hakone. This place is the departure point of lake cruise, ropeway, express bus and local bus.
After arrival at Togendai, hop on Hakone Sightseeing Cruise and enjoy the scenery around the lake.
Togendai to Owakudani
Togendai (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani
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 spring water is very famous food at Owakudani. Just try to eat it.
Hakone Ropeway is operated until 16:15 in winter season. Please make sure how much you can stay in Owakudani. You take ropeway again to get Sounzan. Usually it takes 20 minutes to walk the trail. The operation time is extended to 17:00 in summer season (March to November).
Owakudani to Hakone-Yumoto via Sounzan and Gora
Owakudani 16:00 (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) 16:08 Sounzan 16:17 (Hakone Cable Car) 16:27 Gora 16:38 (Hakone Tozan Railway) 17:20 Hakone-Yumoto
There are many more bus services available to Hakone-Yumoto. But many buses take old road. In this sample, I picked the bus which takes new road. Trip time is 25 minutes to get Hakone-Yumoto. If you take a bus which run on old road, trip time is 45 minutes. Please make sure which bus you will take.
Hakone Tozan Bus official site, Route search
Hakone-Yumoto is the biggest hot springs town in Hakone. There are lots of restaurants and shops. You can eat and/or shop there. 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.
But if you move to Osaka, Kyoto or Nagoya, you do not have time to drop by Hakone-Yumoto.
Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku
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 890 yen for 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 change to a regular commute train to Shinjuku. There is no direct trains from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku other than Romancecar.
Hakone-Yumoto to Osaka, Kyoto or Nagoya
Hakone-Yumoto 17:33 (Odakyu Railway local train) 17:51 Odawara 18:08 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 523) 19:19 Nagoya, 20:13 Kyoto, 20:26 Shin-Osaka
You can get Odawara by Odakyu railway local train and catch Shinkansen at Odawara. This Shinkansen “Hikari 523” is the last train which you can get Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka from Odawara without changing trains. If you do not mind to change trains, there are some more trains later than 18:08 departure.
Other later train connections
Hakone-Yumoto 18:44 (Odakyu Railway local train) 18:59 Odawara 19:13 (Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama 803) 19:28 Mishima 19:47 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 523) 21:08 Nagoya, 22:00 Kyoto, 22:13 Shin-Osaka
Hakone-Yumoto 19:33 (Odakyu Railway local train) 19:48 Odawara 20:05 (Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama 68) 20:56 Shizuoka 21:10 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 533) 22:09 Nagoya, 23:02 Kyoto, 23:16 Shin-Osaka
If you want more time in Hakone, you may use one of these above train connections.
Sample trip plan from Osaka, Kyoto, or Nagoya to Tokyo
If you want to squeeze this trip plan on the way to Tokyo from Osaka, Kyoto or Nagoya, you may reverse this trip plan. But the location to stay overnight is different. It is hard to reach Lake Kawaguchi on day 1. In this case, your overnight place is Hakone. That means the time in Lake Kawaguchi is a bit shorter than the original plan above. If you skip Oshino Hakkai, you can have one more hour in Lake Kawaguchi area.
Day 1
Shin-Osaka 08:16, Kyoto 08:32, Nagoya 09:26 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 512) 10:36 Odawara
*Purchase Fuji Hakone Pass at Odawara station
Odawara 11:04 (Odakyu Railway) 11:19 Hakone-Yumoto 11:22 (Hakone Tozan Railway) 12:04 Gora
*Lunch time in Gora
Gora 13:17 (Hakone Cable Car) 13:27 Sounzan (8 Minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani
*Walk at Owakudani
Owakudani (16 minutes ride by Hakone Ropeway) Togendai 14:20 (Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) 15:05 Togendai 15:15 (Hakone Tozan Bus) 15:29 Hakone Venetian Glass Museum
Stay overnight in Sengoku (or Togendai)
Day 2
Sengoku 08:40 (Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus) 09:05 Gotemba 09:40 (Fuji Kyuko route bus) 10:31 Oshino Hakkai
*Walk at Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai 11:31 (Fuji Kyuko route bus) 11:55 Kawaguchiko
*Lunch at Kawaguchiko
Kawaguchiko 13:00 (Shuttle bus Fuji Shibazakura Liner) 13:35 Fuji Shibazakura venue 15:30 (Shuttle bus Fuji Shibazakura Liner) 16:05 Kawaguchiko
or Kawaguchiko 13:00 (FujiKyu bus) 13:55 Fuji 5th station 14:50 (Fujikyu bus) 15:35 Kawaguchiko
If you travel in summer time and visit 5th station, you still can drop by Chureito Pagoda
Kawaguchiko 15:54 (Fuji Kyuko Railway local train) 16:10 Shimo-Yoshida
*Visit Chureito Pagoda
Shimo-Yoshida 17:46 (Fuji Kyuko Railway local train) 18:29 Otsuki 19:05 (Limited Express Azusa 30) 20:09 Shinjuku
Hope this itinerary gives you some idea to make your trip plan!
Comments
HI Takeshi-san,
How are you?
I’ve spend over a month in Tohoku and went to 6 of the summer Neputa Festivals in Aug. It was so much fun and I enjoyed the journey so much.
For my next trip I was wondering if you can help me the following.
I intend to use the JR Fuji and 靜岡3 day mini pass, after that I want to travel around Hakone before going back to Shinjiku.
I know most of the Hakone or Fuji-Hakone pass are round trips from Shinjiku or Odawaya, but I ‘m looking for a one way 2/3 day pass start either form Gotemba or Atami or the near-by city Odawaya (not covered by the 3day pass)and finish at Shinjiku.
Is there such a pass? or do you think is cheaper to not using pass but add single fare for transport and activities?
Cheers
Hi Joe san,
Your choice is Odawara departure Hakone Free Pass or Fuji Hakone Pass. There is no deals available for one way.
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/hakone/
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
You have to add a regular fare for Odawara to Shinjuku.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi-san
No worries, Joe san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I will use the Hakone 2day
Odawaya pass followed by the Fuji-Shizuoka 3 day mini pass.
On the 3rd day of the mini pass I like to visit the 5th station of Mt Fuji, shimo yushida and Mt Tenjo rope way. Now the questions are:
1/ will that be too rush for 3 Fuji sites in 1 day?
2/ which city is the best to stay on the 3rd day so the next day I can easily transfer to the city that covered by the Hakone pass?
3/ Is the Hakone pass only sold at Odawaya? Can I get it in Hanada Airport ?
Thanks again Takeshi-san
Hi Joe san,
1. It’s busy but feasible.
2. Lake Kawaguchi or Gotemba
3. You cannot purchase it at Haneda. It is sold at Shinjuku, Odawara, Hakone Yumoto, Gora, Sounzan stations, and some of Hakone Bus offices, such as Motohakone, Hakonemachi, Togendai, Sengoku. You cannot purchase it at Gotemba either. If you travel from Lake Kawaguchi to Hakone, the nearest location to purchase Hakone Free Pass is Hakone Tozan Bus Sengoku office.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi-san. 2 more questions.
1/ if I purchase the Hakone pass in advance in Shinjiku on 1st of Feb, when is the last day should I exchange and active the pass?
2/ is Fuji-Hakone pass sold in Fuji area?
Cheers
Hi Joe,
1. When you purchase it, you have to decide the date when you want to start using it. I’m not 100% sure but you can choose the date within one month from the date of purchase.
2. No. It’s sold in Odawara or Shinjuku.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks again Takeshi-san
No worries, Joe san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takaeshi-san,
Thank you for sharing all the valuable information. I am planning for my December trip to Tokyo. I’m not sure if below itinerary is workable. Beside, Is 5th station available on winter 16th Dec?
My plan as below:
1. 15th Dec Shinjuku to Hakone, sightseeing and overnight at Hakone
2. 16th Dec Hakone to Mount Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko/ 5th station , back to Hakone for overnight
3. 17th Dec Hakone to Shinjuku. Buy regular fare from Shinjuku to Narita airport.
With above itinerary, is Fuji Hakone 3 day pass can cover all transport except the Narita airport route.
Thank you very much.
Hi Kuan san,
As long as the weather is okay, Fuji 5th station is open. If the weather is very severe, it may be closed.
Your itinerary is okay but Fuji Hakone Pass does not cover whole part of your trip. Because this pass includes Shinjuku-Hakone and Shinjuku-Lake Kawaguchi one way each. If you take Shinjuku-Hakone route, you have to take Lake Kawaguchi-Shinjuku route on the way back. If you want to keep this itinerary, please add a regular fare for Shinjuku-Odawara round trip and use Fuji Hakone Pass Odawara version:
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
This is really helpful. I’m thinking of extending by one day to a 3 day Fuji-Hakone tour. Starting from Shinjuku -> Kawaguchiko -> Hakone -> Shinjuku.
What will be the best way/sample itinerary to visit more of Kawaguchiko (first 2 days) then 3rd day in Hakone before leaving in the evening (last train by romance car perhaps)?
Stay in Kawaguchiko for first night then Hakone (which town for Onsen?) for 2nd night after arriving late on 2nd day will be easier for logistics (bags)?
Thanks lots!
Jon
Hi Jon,
There are many places to see around. You can take a sightseeing bus to go around these places. Please see the link below:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/1/
And also, in my trip plan, I put Oshino-Hakkai on day 2 on the way to Hakone. You can visit these on your day 2, and you can go to Hakone without stopping at Oshino Hakkai to make your extra time in Hakone.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi ,
Me and my family are planning to visit Japan during Oct end. Destination to visit are Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone and Tokyo.
The detailed route are from :
Day 1 Tokyo –> Kyoto
Day 2 Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto –> Osaka ( Day trip and back to Kyoto )
Day 5 Kyoto –> Hakone
Day 6 Hakone ( Gotemba Outlet )
Day 7 Hakone –> Tokyo
Day 8 till 9 Tokyo
My questions :-
1. Is buying the 7 days JR pass worthwhile ?
2. From when should I start to utilized my 7 days JR Pass ?
3. We wanted to have a ride on the shinkasen , will it be possible to cover the fares by JR pass ? or we need to purchase additional train ticket for riding on Shinkasen ? We planned to ride on shinkasen on the Day 1 Tokyo –> Kyoto and Day 5 Kyoto–> Hakone ; and if possible on Day 7 Hakone –> Tokyo ; what will be the proposed shinkasen to ride on which covered under the JR pass ?
4. Do we need to purchase additional Hakone Free Pass for the travelling within Hakone and also the return back to Tokyo ?
Please help to advice me. Thank you.
Hi Cheong,
1. You can purchase JR Pass 7 days.
2. You should start using it on day 1. It must cover Tokyo to Tokyo. YOu may use subway pass or other deals for day 8 and 9.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
But there is no deals to cover Tokyo to Haneda or Narita airports. You have to pay a regular fare.
3. It covers Shinkansen reserved seat. You can take Hikari. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
4. You have to buy Hakone Free Pass because JR Pass does not cover Hakone. You can get Odawara. It is the gateway to Hakone. But after Odawara, JR Pass does not cover any transportation. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
You can take Shinkansen from Odawara again by JR pass. You may find Shinkansen timetable in the links below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
You will find which Hikari (shown as “H”) stop at Odawara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi san,
My family and I planned to visit Japan in end of Oct 2018. 2 adults and a 6 years old. It’s our first time visiting Japan , would like to seek your help on the trip on Hakone & Fuji from Tokyo and recommend us which as the best option and advice us how to achieved our below plan itinery:
1. Summary routes are : Tokyo —> Hakone * —-> Mt Fuji —-> Kyoto .
Places to visit in Hakone : Hakone Shrine , Lake Ashi , Owakudani , Chisuji Falls , Gotemba Outlet
Places to visit in Mt Fuji : 5th station to have experience on Mt. Fuji , not really climbing.
Expecting to spend 2 nights for the above plans , before proceed to Kyoto.
Would you think we should proceed the travel route to the Mt. Fuji 5th station first then follow with Hakone ?
How could we check the timetable for each destination we plan to go ?
Could you please help , thank you.
Hi Ally san,
I recommend you to visit Hakone, other than Gotemba first on arrival day. On next day, you can visit 5th station and then drop by outlet on the way back.
You may find the timetables in the links below:
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/wp-content/themes/hakone/common/file/tozanbus.pdf
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/route/detail/id/1
https://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji.html
If you intend to take Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara and Odawara to Kyoto, please see the link below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
You also can use hyperdia to find the fare and timetable for the train trips.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san ,
Thank you for your recommendations !
No worries, Ally san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi-san
I have a JR rail pass. I would like to travel from Odawara to Kyoto. The shinkansen Kodama 657 seems like the correct choice. Is there a site to buy / reserve Green car seats?
Thank you,
James A
Hi Jamese san,
Unfortunately you cannot book a seat online. You have to book it at the window.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
By the way, Hikari 515 is better choice.
Kodama 657 Odawara 13:56 / Kyoto 16:36
Hikari 515 Odawara 14:08 / Kyoto 16:13
Please check the detailed timetable in the link below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi-san
Thank you for your rapid and excellent response.
James
No worries, James san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
There is a pass called Mt Fuji Shizuoka Area Pass. Is it good? I will be at Nagoya in early November.
Hi Yap,
You may use it. But if you intend to follow my sample trip plan, you have to add Hakone Free Pass. Fuji Shizuoka Area Pass does not cover Hakone.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be going to Tokyo in November and am planning for a day trip to Mt Fuji and Hakone on the same day. But after reading your post, I am interested to do a 2 days trip but the problem is I won’t be staying overnight (I will be going back to Tokyo and the next day back to Hakone again from Tokyo). Does the Fuji Hakone Pass include such ride? Looking forward to hear from you. Thank you in advance.
Hi Yeong,
Fuji Hakone Pass includes only Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi and Odawara to Shinjuku (or versa) only. You cannot make two round trips between Shinjuku and Lake Kawaguchi / Odawara. The best option is using Fuji Hakone Pass and add the regular fare to take an express bus from Lake Kawaguchi to Shinjuku, and take Odakyu railway train from Shinjuku to Odawara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Noted with thanks Takeshi. You have been a great help!!
No worries, Yeong.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good morning Takeshi,
One more question here. Can I go from Shinjuku to Odowara with Odakyu Rail by Romance car? Thanks
Hi Yeong,
Yes, you can. But if you meant that you can take Romancecar by Fuji Hakone Pass, you need to add limited express fee. Fuji Hakone Pass covers only base fare.
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/surcharges/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Great to hear that!!!! Thanks a million lot
Hi Takeshi-San,
As mentioned previously, I will be using the Fuji Hakone Pass but I will not be staying overnight. Is below itinerary feasible with the Fuji Hakone Pass? Thank you.
a) Shinjuku – Lake Kawaguchiko (using the Fuji Hakone Pass
b) From Lake Kawaguchiko to Gotemba Outlet and then back to Shinjuku (by regular bus fare)
c) Next day, from Shinjuku to Hakone Yumoto (by purchasing additional Romancecar ticket)
d) Finally, from Odawara back to Shinjuku (using the Fuji Hakone Pass)
Hi Yeong san,
Yes. This way will work.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-San,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
One the way back from Hakone to Shinjuku, if I want to use the Romancecar with the Fuji Hakone pass, can I straight away travel from Hakone Yumoto or I need to get back to Odawara? Thank you
Hi Yeong san,
You can travel from Hakone Yumoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much Takeshi-San
No worries, Yeong san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-San,
I went to the Odakyu sightseeing center to purchase the Fuji Hakone Pass and regular bus fare as per mentioned in my previous itinerary that I will not be staying overnight. However, I was told by the PIC that in order to buy the Fuji Hakone Pass, it is a MUST for me to stay overnight there. In the end, I ended up purchasing my bus tickets to Mt Fuji and back to Shinjuku. For my trip to Hakone, I purchase the Hakone Pass. Sad to say, the service of the PIC at the counter is not pleasant at all.
My question here is that, do I need to purchase any pass at Mt Fuji to make my trip easier and more pleasant? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks
Hi Yeong san,
Sorry to hear that. I don’t understand why the staff said so. I think it’s something wrong. But anyway, you can find some local bus ride and deal around Lake Kawaguchi in the link below:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Your post is definitely a great help for planning! However I still have some queries and hoping if you could help out..(:
I am still considering between hakone pass & Fuji Hakone pass.
My current plan is spending 2d1n in total for hakone and mountfuji.
Is it correct that with the Fuji Hakone pass, I am able to take the train from Shinjuku to hakone? I’ll stay at hakone for a night and the next day head to Lake Kawaguchiko. Lastly, taking the bus back to Shinjuku.
Does all the transport from Shinjuku- hakone- mountfuji- Shinjuku included in the Fuji Hakone pass? If yes, are you able to guide me which way?
Thank you once again!!
Best regards!
Hi Jasmine,
Fuji Hakone Pass is the right choice for your trip. It covers all part of Shinjuku – Hakone- Mt. Fuji – Shinjuku. Simply you just reverse my sample. You may use “Sample trip plan from Osaka, Kyoto, or Nagoya to Tokyo” in the post above. It starts from Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya. But you can start to Shinjuku and after Odawara, you just follow my sample.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning to visit Hakone, Nikko & Kawaguchiko during my Tokyo trip in October.
However, I am torn between the choices of passes there are. I will be staying in Shinjuku, so for Nikko, I will rule out the Nikko Area Pass.
I am considering getting the Tokyo Wide Pass for the trips but doing 3 places in 3 days seem very packed. Therefore, the options are: Nikko & Hakone or Nikko & Kawaguchiko with 1 of the days used for travel within Tokyo. Which do you advise? I would rather not stay overnight anywhere if it is possible.
Is the pass usable for the Romance Car? I am considering getting the Hakone Free Pass from Odawara if the Tokyo Wide Pass can be used to get me from Shinjuku to Odawara and back without too much hassle.
Appreciate your help, thank you.
Hi Adrienne,
Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover Odakyu railway. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
As I mentioned in the link above, if you use Tokyo Wide Pass, you need to take JR train to Odawara and then using Hakone Free Pass. Otherwise Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku is better choice. But even if you use Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku, you need to pay extra to take Romancecar. Hakone Free Pass covers base fare only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com