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!
Would like to get advice on trip to Hakone and Mount Fuji area from Shinjuku
I planned the trip on 21/11/19 – 23/11/19 as follows:
Nov 21 – Day 1 : From Shinjuku to Hakone (all day in Hakone – spend the night)
Nov 22 – Day 2: From Hakone to Lake Kawaguchi (Spend the night in Lake Kawaguchi)
Nov 23 – Day 3: From Lake Kawaguchi to Matsumoto
Any advise on this route? I’m intending to try the Alpine Route in Matsumoto (as far as I can go) reason why I’m intending to go first to Hakone. Besides the JRP would I need any other transportation passes for go around these three places?
Thanks so much for your advice!
Best,
A.P
Hi Angelica san,
You can get Odawara by JR pass. But after that, JR pass does not help you at all in Fuji and Hakone area. You have to add Fuji Hakone Pass at Odawara.
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
You can use Fuji Hakone Pass from Odawara at 7,180 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi-san
Would like to get advice on trip to mount Fuji area from Shinjuku
I planned the trip on 29/11/19 – 30/11/19
From Shinjuku to Fuji then to Narita
Had booked a room in hakone on 29/11/19 however will really wanna go chureito pagoda as well
Summary
D1 : shinjuku – hakone (stay in hakone)
D2: hakone – Kawaguchi (including chureito) – Shinjuku/Narita (have not confirmed the accomodation)
Any advice on how to to travel with this schedule? Or isit too tight?
Kindly advice
Many thanks in advance
Hi Vincent san,
It is possible. But you have to visit all places in Hakone on day 1. You have to leave Hakone in early morning because it takes 3 hours to get Kawaguchiko from most places in Hakone.
By the way, Hakone has lots of issues now because of the damage by typhoon on October 12th and 13th. Hakone had received the record breaking rainfalls. Hakone Tozan Railway and many bus lines are suspended. Hakone Tozan Railway most likely will not run until the end of this year. Most of bus lines will be back to normal. Please see the links below to keep updating the info until you go there:
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/10a6e9df6d106bc82c04b4e0fc218538.pdf
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi.
Thank you for all of your wonderful input in the article and in the comments section.
I have one question on the new Fuji Excursion train which sets for a direct ride from Shinjuku to Fuji in 1 hr and 50 mins. I have been trying to search for the fares for the tickets but I can’t seems to find a consistent response. I wonder if you can help me clarify the fare for one way trip for an adult on the Fuji Excursion.
Thanks so much in advance!
Hi Iman,
You can find it at Hyperdia. Please see the fare for Sep 30 in the link below:
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=SHINJUKU(JR)&arv_node=KAWAGUCHIKO&via_node01=&via_node02=&via_node03=&year=2019&month=09&day=30&hour=08&minute=34&search_type=0&search_way=&transtime=undefined&sort=0&max_route=5&faretype=0&ship=off&lmlimit=null&search_target=route&facility=reserved&sum_target=7
You can change the date at the bottom in the link and find the rate when you travel.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
My plans is to go from Shinjuku to (Day 1) Kawaguchiko
overnight at Kawguchiko Ststion . (Day 2) Hakone full day and take train to Osaka in the late afternoon. My question is, how do I manage my luggage on Day 2? I don’t have a hotel in Hakone on Day 2. Also, can I leave my luggage at the hotel in Kawaguchiko Station on Day 1 before I follow your itinerary?
Hi Hew Yeong Han san,
The best option is shipping your luggage to the hotel in Osaka before you leave Shinjuku. You can pack your luggage small for just one night trip. Many hotels take care of shipping. Usually it costs around 2,000 to 3,000 yen per luggage. It takes 2 days to ship, so your luggage will arrive in your hotel in Osaka when you get there.
If you cannot ship your luggage in case of staying in AirBNB or other cases, you have to get one of the places in Hakone, such as Gora or Togendai. You can find the locker or luggage storage service. But you have to go back this place to pick up a luggage before you go to Osaka. You have to spend extra time.
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/station/gora
https://www.hakone-kankosen.co.jp/foreign/en/port/togendai.php
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
I see that you’ve been very helpful with others who have asked questions and I hope you can help me as well. I’m a bit overwhelmed with the different options. We want to strike a balance between being economical but also not spending too much time in transit.
Day 1
– Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen train Osaka to Odawara
– Hakone Tozan train Odawara to Gora (or local bus)
– check in to hotel
Day 2
– bus or cab Gora to Gotemba Station
– 07:35 Mountain bus to Subashiri station 5
– climb Mt. Fuji
– 18:45 Mountain bus back to Gotemba Station
– bus or cab Gotemba Station to Gora
Day 3
– various activities in Hakone: lake cruise, cable car, ropeway, museums etc.
Day 4
– Hakone Tozan train or bus Gora to Odawara
– Odakyu line train Odawara to Tokyo
Is it worthwhile to get a Hakone freepass and if so, for how many days and when should we start it? I’m thinking that it should be for two days, starting on the third day of our visit to Hakone.
Our full, simplified itinerary is:
D1 – visit Osaka
D2 – day trip to Himeji-jo from Osaka
D3 – travel to Hakone district
D3-D6 – Hakone district, as above
D6 – travel to Tokyo
D6-D10 – Tokyo, with possibly one day trip outside Tokyo
D10 – travel to Kyoto
D10-14 – Kyoto, with day trip to Nara
Given this itinerary, is there any other rail pass we should consider?
In addition to the standard rail passes, we have seen an offer for a round trip Shin-Osaka and Tokyo via Shinkansen (non-reserved) plus a 24h Tokyo Subway ticket for 23,000 yen (both trips must be completed within 7 days). By our estimate, this is less than the combined cost of single tickets from Shin-Osaka to Odawara and from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Thank you in advance for any advice!
Hi sanspm san,
If you take a bus from Gora to Gotemba, you will spend at least 2,000 yen for the round trip. So you can use 3-day Hakone Free Pass for the first or the last 3 days in Hakone.
Unfortunately you cannot use 7 days deal because you will spend 8 days. (Day 3 to Odawara and day 10 to Kyoto, 8 days) If you want to use 7 days deal, you have to shrink the stay in Tokyo. And also you have to make sure that the deal allows you to disembark at the station on the way to Tokyo. Some deals do not allow to get off the train and have to complete the trip to Tokyo.
If you cannot use this deal, your choice is the regular fare ticket only.
At this point, I can recommend you to use Kansai Area Pass one day for the trip to Himeji:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
There are some deals available in Kyoto and Osaka:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
I think the regular fare ticket is the best option for the trip to Nara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Can you kindly advice how to travel from Kawaguchiko Station to Hakone Yumoto Station?
And also is my itinerary below feasible?
I intend to purpuse the hakone 2 day pass
18 Nov
Staying one day and one night in Kawaguchiko
7am Take Fuji express bus from shinjuku to kawaguchiko Station then continue to shimo yoshida Station
12pm Visit chureito pagoda
2pm lunch near kawaguchiko Station
3om check in hotel near kawaguchiko station
4om visit kawaguchiko Music Forest
6pm visit Fuji kawaguchiko autumn leaves festival (May I know the opening date and time if you are able to advice)
19 Nov
Travel from Kawaguchiko Station to Hakone Yumoto
1. Visit hakone shrine/torii Gate
2. Walk Cedar Ave
3. Take Pirate cruise
4. Hakone ropeway
5. Visit Owakudani
6. Check in hotel near hakone Yumoto
20 Nov
1. Visit Gora park
2. Gotemba outlet
3. Take Odakyu hakone Highway bus back to Shinjuku Station
Thank you so much!
May Cheng
Hi May,
I recommend you to switch the itinerary on 19th and 20th. Because you must change the buses at Gotemba outlet when you go to Hakone from Lake Kawaguchi. So you may drop by outlet and gora park on 19th on the way to Hakone-Yumoto from Lake Kawaguchi. And also the easiest route from Lake Kawaguchi to Hakone-Yumoto is the following:
Lake Kawaguchi (bus) Gotemba outlet (bus) Gora (Hakone Tozan Railway) Hakone-Yumoto.
And you can take Odakyu railway to go back to Shinjuku from Hakone-Yumoto. You should use Fuji Hakone Pass for this 2 night 3 days trip.
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
2019 autumn festival infor has not been updated yet. I think it will be same as the last year, Nov 1 to 23, 09:00 am to 07:00 pm.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Tekeshi,
Thank you so much for your prompt reply and advice. I will definitely switch the itinerary.
May I know what is the bus number and from which company to take from Lake kawaguchiko to Gotemba outlet? Do I need to change bus inorder to go to the Gotemba outlet?
After visiting Gotemba outlet and Gora Park the easier way is to take a bus or train back to Hakone Yumoto?
Do you recommend to stay one night in Hakone or should I return to Shinjuku after arriving at Hakone Yumoto? Any bus or train options if the timing is already 5 or 6pm at Hakone Yumoto
Would appreciate your kind advice on the transport because I get a bit confused with many different options given online
Best regards.
May cheng
Hi Takeshi,
Can you kindly advice if I wanted to visit Hakone Shrine first in the morning before the other places in the hakone round course, what is the easier sequence to do?
I will be starting from Hakone Yumoto Station.
Some online blog mention taking the Hakone Tozan bus to Moto Hakone boat pier but some said take a train to Gora first. I’m a bit confused on how to connect back to the hakone round course after taking the ropeway and the sightseeing cruise.
Appreciate your kind advice. Thank you so much in advance.
Cheers
May
Hi May,
Please find the link below to find the timetable for Lake Kawaguchi to Gotemba outlet:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/gotemba/pamphlet_201904.pdf
Please see the following link to get all timetables of bus, train, cruise and gondola. You may find the route by this timetable too:
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/e_catalog/english/book/html5.html#page=1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be arriving at Narita Airport around 7.30am.
Can you kindly advice why the Narita Airport limousine timetable didn’t have morning departure and arrival time to Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku.
When I try to check the timetable and fare from the website, it only show 14.:10 as the timing. Meaning there are no morning departure time?
Appreciate your help. Thank you!
Best regards,
May
Hi May,
There is no buses to Sunroute from Narita until 14:10. But there are many buses running to Shinjuku station from 7:00 am.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Tekeshi,
Thank you so much for your prompt reply.
Could you kindly advise if the following passes and cards are sufficient to cover the following itinerary and transport needs.
Are there any better discounts or package options to combine purchases of these passes and card?
Purchase 3 days Tokyo Wide Pass for:
Day 1:
1) Narita Express train to shinjuku
2) Travelling on Yamanote Line
Day 2:
1) Shinjuku to (JR Chuo Line Limited Express train) to Kofu Station
Day 3: Shinjuku to Odaiba
Purchase Pasmo or Suica Card for:
Day 4: Travelling on Yamanote Line
Day 5: Travelling on Yamanote Line
Purchase (Fuji Hakone Pass + top up for Romancecar) for:
Day 6:
1) Shinjuku to (Fujikyu Express Bus or Keio Dentetsu Bus) to Kawaguchiko
2) Kawaguchiko Station to Shimo Yoshida Station.
3) Use omni buses for Kawaguchiko attractions.
Day 7:
1) Kawaguchiko to (Fujikyu Limited Express Bus) to Gotemba Premium Outlet
2) Gotemba outlet to Gora Station.
3) Gora Station to Hakone Yumoto Station
Day 8:
1) Hakone Yumoto to Gora Station
2) Hakone Tozan Cablecar
3) Hakone Ropeway.
4) Hakone sightseeing cruise
5) Hakone Tozan Bus to Venetian Glass Museum
6) Hakone-Yumoto (Romancecar Express train) to Shinjuku
Thanks in advance.
Best Regards,
May
Hi May
You have chosen the best deals for your trip. I just want to tell just one thing. You will intend to take the limited express bus from Kawaguchiko to Gotemba outlet. This bus is not covered by Fuji Hakone Pass. You have to take the local bus if you want to avoid paying extra:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/gotemba/pamphlet_201904.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Tekeshi,
Thank you so much for your reply and highlighting that to me.
When using the fuji hakone pass I just have to show the pass to the driver right?
Can you also kindly advise is the cost for fuji hakone pass (from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko ) 9090 yen or 8000 yen? The top up for romancecar is 1090 or 890 yen?
I’m confused by the different information online.
Is there a counter in Shinjuku Station where I can reserve seats for the Fujikyu Express highway bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko station?
After arriving at Kawaguchiko Station, how do I check the platform no. for the local train to Shimo-Yoshida Station?
Thank you so much in advance for your help.
Best regards,
May
Hi May,
Fuji Hakone Pass from/to Shinjuku is 9,090 yen. Please refer the official site:
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
Romancecar surcharge is 1,090 yen if you take it from Hakone-Yumoto. 890 yen is the fee from Odawara station.
You can make a booking at Shinjuku bus center which is same location as Shinjuku station.
In Kawaguchiko station, it’s very small station. You can find the platform easily.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m going to Fuji and Hakone on 18 to 20 Nov but I can only buy the Fuji Hakone Pass on 13 Nov when I reach Shinjuku.
Is it possible to buy the pass in advance online or overseas as I understand I might not get the seats reservation on the timing I wanted since Nov is a peak period.
I’m worried as the ryokan at both locations have already been booked and paid.
Appreciate your kind advice. Thanks in advance!
Best regards
May
Hi May,
November is a busy period but it is not the busiest. Actually all season are busy now in Japan. Many express bus runs from Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi. Many trains run from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto. You will be okay to get a seat. You don’t need to buy the pass before you come to Japan. Even if you get the pass, you cannot book it before you come to Japan. Anyway you will be okay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for your prompt reply and kind advice.
I understand that the Hakone ropeway and Owakudani might still be closed in Nov. I’ve tried to change my itinerary, could you help to verify if these routes and transport mode are correct and whether the below transportation plan are covered free with the Fuji Hakone Pass.
1. From Hakone Yumoto bus stop No. 2, take a Tozan express bus (Hakone Shindo ‘R’ line) to Hakone Machi-ko (to visit Check pt, Cedar Ave and Onshi Park)
2. From Hakone Machi-ko port, take a cruise to Moto-Hakona (to visit Jinja Shrine and Torii)
3. From Moto-Hakone, take a cruise to Togendai (to see Lake Ashi)
4. From Togendai, take a odakyu hakone highway bus, Shinjuku hakone line ‘W’ to Hakone Venetian Glass Museum. Can you kindly advice the stop bus no. at Togendai?
5. From Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, take a Hakone Tozan Bus (Kanko Shisetsu-Meguri ‘S’ Bus (via Pola-bijutsukan) to Gora Station. Can you kindly advice the bus stop no. at the museum?
6. From Gora Station, take Hakone Tozan Railway back to Hakone Yumoto Station
Thank you so much in advance for your help.
Best regards,
May
Hi May,
All trip schedules are okay.
About Togendai, please see the link below:
https://www.hakone-tozanbus.co.jp/english/station/togendai/
I think there is only one bus stop at Venetian Glass Museum.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello! This is very helpful. I was hoping you could help with our itinerary and how to get around. We are spending two days, one night in the area. We have the JR pass already so our plan is to take the shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara. Then:
Day One
Bus or train to Hakone-Yumoto to drop luggage off at hotel
Bus or train to Lake Kawaguchi and walk around
Bus to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Street Station
Bus to Togendai for lake cruise and ropeway on Lake Ashi
Bus or train to Hakone-Yumoto and stay at ryokan for onsen
Day Two
Explore Hakone-Yumoto
Depart for Osaka
Can you let me know if this is doable? If so, can you tell me what exact bus lines or train routes I should look for to get between stations? Thank you!!
Hi Casey,
I think day 1 is too tight. Even if you leave Tokyo very early morning, you cannot reach Lake Kawaguchi in the morning. The estimated travel times are the following:
1 hour for Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto (by the Shinkansen and Hakone Tozan Railway)
1.5 hours for Hakone-Yumoto to Gotemba (by the fastest direct bus)
* In most cases, you have to change the buses at Sengoku. You may spend 2 hours for this segment.
1.5 hours to get Lake Kawaguchi from Gotemba.
And you will spend the extra time at each connections. So you may spend 5 hours to get Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo. And also 5th station is one hour away from Lake Kawaguchi. So it is tight to visit even Lake Kawaguchi and 5th station. You can do these two places in day 1. But you cannot go back to Hakone in early evening.
I understand that you want to leave your luggage at the hotel first. But if you do this trip plan, you cannot come back to your ryokan in Hakone in early evening. If you plan to have a dinner at Ryokan, this trip plan is not realistic.
If you want to visit both Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone in 2 days, you should take the express bus to get 5th station from Shinjuku directly. This is not covered by JR pass but this is the fastest way:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1
You have to move with the luggage but there is no choices. You can use coin lockers at 5th station and Lake Kawaguchi station.
And the link below shows you the bus schedule from 5tth station to Lake Kawaguchi.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/Fuji%20Subaru%20Line_201906.pdf
If you take the earliest bus from Shinjuku to 5 station and spend 1 hour there, you can take 10:30 bus and get Lake Kawaguchi at 11:15. And you can find the schedule for Lake Kawaguchi to Gotemba outlet in the link below:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/gotemba/pamphlet_201904.pdf
You have to take a bus to Gotemba outlet, not Gotemba station because most buses leave from Gotemba outlet.
And then you will take a bus from Gotemba outlet to Gora station. Please see the following link:
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/e_catalog/book/html5.html#page=22
You have to change the bus and the train at Gora in most connections. You can find the train schedule below:
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/e_catalog/book/html5.html#page=9
This may be very complicated but this is required to visit the places on your wishlist.
If you don’t want to move with the luggage on day 1, please ask your hotel in Tokyo. Most hotels can manage the baggage delivery. If you send the baggage in the morning one day before the travel day, the baggage arrives your hotel by the evening. Usually it costs around 2,000 yen per luggage.
You can find all transportation in Hakone in the link below but this is in Japanese. Please use the translation service. You will find same format as the links above:
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/transportation/timetable/
At the end, you can use Fuji Hakone Pass Odawara version.
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
There is Shinjuku version too but it includes the round trip to/from Shinjuku. You will move to Osaka after Hakone. So pay the regular fare to get 5th station bus and use Odawara version Fuji Hakone Pass. This pass does not cover the bus from 5th station to Lake Kawaguchi either. But other part of your trip in Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone is covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi 🙂
Thank you for posting this itinerary.
I will be traveling with my family to Hakone this coming May from Tokyo.
Day 1 – Arriving from Shinjuku at around 2PM
Day 2 – Will this be enough time to go to Mount Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi
Day 3 – Going back to Tokyo at 3PM
Thank you
Hi Michele,
It depends on how many places in Fuji you want to visit. But if you spend one whole day and visit a few places, you can do it.
It will take 1.5 to 2 hours to get Lake Kawaguchi from Hakone area. So please remember that you will spend many hours for just moving.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I will be travelling to Japan end of May for 11 days. I’m planning to do the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, visit Hirayu Onsen, Kamikochi, ShinHotaka Ropeway, Kawaguchiko, Hakone and Izu Peninsula. Not sure whether my itinerary is too tight. Also not sure what kind of passes I should purchase. Hope u can comment.
Below is my itinerary:
Day 1 – Reach Tokyo midnight. Spend the night in airport.
Day 2 – From Haneda airport, go to Hirayu Onsen, check in hotel, move on to Shin Hotaka Ropeway
Day 3 – spend the day in Kamikochi, stay another night in Hirayu Onsen
Day 4 – Check out hotel and go to Nagano and Spend a day in Nagano
Day 5 – check out hotel in Nagano early morning, do the Tateyama Alpine Route. Take Shinkansen back to Tokyo.
Day 6 – check out from Tokyo hotel and proceed to explore Hakone and Kawaguchiko. Spend the night in Kawaguchiko
Day 7 – Going to Fuji safari park and Shiraito falls. Back to Kawaguchiko
Day 8 – check out hotel and proceed to Izu Peninsular. I plan to visit shimoda and Kawazu Nanadaru waterfalls. Spend a night in Izu
Day 9 – Back to Tokyo
Day 10 – Go to Round One amusement park, this one requeste by my child
Day 11 – explore Tokyo , night plane back to home country
I actually wanted to go to Shibazakura but since the day I reached is the last day of Shibazakura festivals, I figure I won’t be seeing the beautiful flowers hence will skip this round. My itinerary is not fixed and can be change but my main highlights will be the Tateyama Alpine Route. Hope u can advise.
Hi CL san,
Your itinerary is okay. I don’t think you need to change it.
There is no deals to cover whole part of your trip. I recommend you to use JR East Pass Nagano Niigata as your primary option:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-niigata-and-nagano-flex-5-days-pass-in-14-days-period-to-cover-kanto-region-nagano-and-niigata.html
This pass covers JR train trip only. When you take a bus or non JR railway trains, you have to pay. I recommend you to use 5-day coverage for day 2 (Haneda to Matsumoto), 4 (Matsumoto to Nagano), 5 (Joetsumyoko to Tokyo), 6 (Tokyo to Odawara) and 8 (Izu to Tokyo).
When you do Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route trip, you will add Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket:
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
You will finish it at Toyama. But Toyama is outside coverage area of JR East Pass. You have to add the fare for Toyama to Joetsumyoko. Joetsumyoko is the border station of the coverage area. The extra fare is around 5,000 yen for Hokuriku Shinkansen seat fee and base fare. If you are okay to drop by Nagano from Toyama to Tokyo, you can leave your luggage at Nagano station and you can enjoy luggage free trip on Alpine route.
You also can add Fuji Hakone Pass at Odawara:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
For the rest of your trip, just add a regular fare ticket as you need.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you for your advise. However, I hv some further questions. One of your suggested date to use the
JR East Pass Nagano Niigata is on day 8 (Izu to Tokyo) but day 8 is actually from Kawaguchiko to Izu. Do you actually mean to use it on day 9?
Im also thinking whether I should rent a car on day 7 as I read it’s easier to go to Fuji Safari Park by car than bus. If I rent a car, would it better for me to buy the Hakone Free pass than Fuji Hakone pass? Also, if I’m planning to take the romancecar from Shinjuku by paying the surcharge on top of the Hakone Free pass, is the JR East Pass Nagano Niigata still worthwhile?
I’m planning to stay in Shimoda and would like to seek your advise whether I should rent a car there or just take the public transport?
Hope you don’t mind all these questions as I’m still not quite sure the better way to move around the various places that I hv planned.
Hi CL san,
That was my mistake. I meant to use it on day 9 from Izu to Tokyo.
You may use rent-a-car to get Fuji. But as far as I know, if you use a car, you will rent it at Hakone-Yumoto. You will go through Hakone when you go to Fuji area. That means you can stop by many places in Hakone. Hakone Free Pass may not be required. But I haven’t driven in Japan for more than 20 years. I do not have any updated info about driving now.
If you go for Hakone Free Pass and take romancecar, you still can use JR East Pass. As long as you will visit Nagano area, JR East pass is recommended.
Rent-a-car is easier to get Shimoda from Kawaguchiko. So you may think about using rent-a-car from Hakone-Kawaguchiko-Shimoda.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Hope you’re doing great. Thanks for providing an informative itinerary for Mt Fuji and Hakone.
I’m planning to visit Tokyo with my brother and my elderly parents (70+ years old). We’ll arrive at Narita Airport on 26th April @ 06:45, and our plan is to go to Mt Fuji and Hakone straight away for 3 days and 2 nights.
Day 1: arrive in Fuji around noon time; cover option 2 and Chureito Pagoda
Day 2: Fuji Shibazakura Festival in the morning; go to Hakone.
Day 3: travel back to Shinjuku by Romancecar
My questions:
1. Does this plan seems feasible or is it recommended for us to purchase our Fuji Hakone pass first and travel to Fuji the next day?
2. Does this pass covers the latest Fuji Kaiyu train? Or do we need to purchase the Fuji Kaiyu train ticket separately?
3. Do you think we should stay in Fujikawaguchiko or Gotemba or Hakone? Should we spend both nights in one place or should we stay in different places? My concern is that we’ll bring our luggages there, so I’m not sure if there is any luggage storage area at the train station or do we have to carry the luggages everywhere if we were to change hotels.
4. Is there any express pass that could reduce our waiting time queueing for the ropeway/gondola? (given that my parents are already 70+ years old and my mom has difficulty standing/walking for too long. And our visit will be during the Golden week if I’m not mistaken and the place will be crowded).
Thanks in advance for your kind help 😉
Hi Nina san,
Fuji Hakone Pass is the best deal and highly recommended. However you have to keep the following things in your mind.
1. Your plan is basically okay but day 1 may be a bit tight. Because you have to take an express bus from Shinjuku if you use Fuji Hakone Pass. You cannot take train option from Shinjuku. So you have to get Shinjuku from Narita first. You can take either Narita Express or Limousine bus.
Both Limousine bus and express bus to Kawaguchiko arrive and depart at Shinjuku express bus terminal. Limousine bus is better option from Narita than train. However you have to get Fuji Hakone Pass at Odakyu railway Shinjuku station. The best option is that one of your group go to Shinjuku station and purchase Fuji Hakone Pass. The rest of your group stay in Shinjuku bus terminal. The bus terminal and the station are basically same location but Shinjuku station is quite big. Both Odakyu station and bus terminal is located near south exit.
It takes about 2 hours from Narita to Shinjuku. And you may spend extra one hour at Shinjuku to purchase a pass. And you will spend 1.5 hour to get Kawaguchiko. You may not get there by noon. This is a reason why day 1 may be tight. I estimate you will spend 6 hours from the arrival time of Narita to arrival time at Kawaguchiko. I recommend you to visit only Chureito on day 1. Especially you will travel with elderly person.
2. As I mentioned, you cannot get a train by Fuji Hakone Pass. It covers Fuji Kyuko railway local train in Kawaguchiko and surrounding area only.
3. I recommend you to stay both Kawaguchiko and Hakone. Because Fuji Hakone Pass covers one way each of Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko and Shinjuku to Hakone. If you enter from Kawaguchiko, you have to leave from Hakone. If you exter from Hakone, you have to leave from Kawaguchiko.
I don’t think that you cannot get even Gotemba from Kawaguchiko on day 1. So you have to stay in Kawaguchiko anyway on day 1. On day 2, you will visit the rest of places in Kawaguchiko. You can leave your luggage at your hotel. You can pick up it when you leave from Kawaguchiko. On day 2, you don’t have any time to see Hakone. So just move your luggage from Kawaguchiko to the hotel in Hakone. You don’t need to visit many places with luggage.
On day 3, leave your luggage at the hotel in Hakone and you can visit the places in Hakone. You can pick up it when you leave Hakone.
4. There is no express passes. Anyone have to wait for the line up. As you guess, it will be super busy. By the way, did you book a hotel? The hotel availability may be tight too and quite expensive.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com