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
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. Ong says:

    Hi!

    I will be travelling to Hakone and wanted to purchase the 2 day Hakone Free Pass, but I read that we can’t go back and forth Hakone and Tokyo am I right? Because I already booked accommodations in Tokyo I can’t change my itinerary.

    Is it possible for you to suggest the best tickets for me to purchase in this case, whether is it to visit Hakone as a day trip or 2-day trip? Thank you! 🙂

    • Hi Ong,

      If you have 2 day trips to Hakone, you may buy two days Hakone Free Pass and regular ticket from Odawara to Shinjuku, Shinjuku to Odawara. Actually there is no better ways than this.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Christina says:

    Good morning Takeshi,
    I discovered your website while searching for information on Hakone. Thank you for sharing your valuable insight. I am just starting my planning but do you think it is possible to do a day trip from Tokyo (Shinjuku area) to see Hakone Shrine, Chureito Pagoda and a visit to Hakone Yuryo? I don’t expect you to plan my trip but wanted your thoughts on if this is a realistic plan. Thank you

  3. Michelle Kiak says:

    Hi!
    Takeshi- san,

    Thank you for your reply.
    I am thinking of another plan route:
    Leave Shinjuku at 7am arrive hakone yumoto stn via romancecar
    Hakone to Gora to owakudani to Togendai

    Togendai To gotemba outlet (which bus should i ride? Is it the tozan bus?)
    Gotemba outlet to hakone yumoto to shinjuku.

    Is there a bus route frm gotemba outlet to hakone yumoto? How many minutes travel?

    Is this plan possible?

    Is it advisable to use Hakone free pasS?

    Thank you very much!

  4. Michelle says:

    Hi! Takeshi,
    I am staying at shibuya. I want to go to mt. fuji 5th station then go to Gotemba outlet.
    Plan Route: Shibuya-fuji 5th station – gotemba – shibuya

    Is there a bus from 5th station to Gotemba outlet?
    Is it advisable to buy HAKONE PASS?

    • Hi Michelle,

      There is no direct bus from 5th station to Gotemba. You need to get Lake Kawaguchi after 5th station and then catch the bus to Gotemba. Fuji Hakone Pass does not suit to your trip plan. Because bus from Shibuya to Kawaguchiko, bus to 5th station, bus from Gotemba outlet to Shinjuku are not covered. Just pay a regular fare.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Debby Hooi says:

    Hi Takeshi, I’m going to visit Fujikyu/ Kawaguchiko on the 21st Feb and crossover to Hakone the next morning after one night stay at Fujikyu area.

    Please give me a suggestion or guidance how to go about in Hakone, I am still very lost. I plan to go from Fujikyu area to Gotemba, not stopping at the Premium Outlet but straight to Hakone. My aim is Owakudani, Hakone Machi, I want to experience the cruise,cable car and the ropeway and plan to return to Shinjuku at the end of the day. Sincerely hoping for your reply!

    • Hi Debby,

      Even if you do not shop at outlet, your route is same as the sample in the post above. You will take a local bus to Gotemba outlet and then take a local bus to Sengoku, and take another express bus to Togendai. Or you can take a local bus to Gora from Outlet. Anyway you need to go to outlet first.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. juncintaku says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    We have plan to have 2 days in both kawaguchiko & hakonemachi. Staying overnight in Hakone’s ryokan.

    We will follow this sample itinerary but we want to add on this particular Shibazakura festival on our itinerary.

    How can we squueze in Shibazakura on our itineray??? And how to get there?
    Please help us.

    Thankss

    • Hi juncintaku,

      You may visit Shibazakura venue first in your trip. You can get there by shuttle bus from Lake Kawaguchi for 30 minutes. It takes 1.5 hours to 2 hours for visiting Shibazakura festival. After that, go back to Lake Kawaguchi to continue your trip. I think you can complete Lake Kawaguchi part in day 1. On day 2, you can visit Hakone part.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • juncintaku says:

        Hi takeshi, thank you for your information. Really helpful

        • No worries, juncintaku.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • juncintaku says:

            Hello takeshi, i need information (again). If i take Odakyu romance car, and transit at Odawara station. Can i visit Odawara castle for about 1hour and continue the odakyu romance car to shinjuku (from odawara station)?

            • Hi juncintaku,

              If you do so, you need to pay Romancecar surcharge separately. But Hakone-Yumoto to Odawara is 15-20 minutes ride, It’s not worth paying surcharge for this small trip. You can take a local train and then take Romancecar after visiting Odawara.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Ivanna says:

    Hi, which area should i go first (the most convenient and save time), kawaguchiko or hakone, if i am planning to go to tateyama kurobe alpine after visiting hakone and kawaguchi ko ?

  8. Tiyo says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have plan to visit Japan in June 2018,
    my itenarary for Hakone Area from Tokyo
    1. Shinagawa – Odawara using JR Pass
    2. Odawara – Hakone round trip, and night stay in Gora using Fuji Hakone Pass
    3. Gora – Gotemba – Lake Kawaguchi using Fuji Hakone Pass
    4. Lake Kawaguchi – Kyoto using JR Pass
    Is it possible or do you have any suggestion?

    Many thanks.

    • Hi Tiyo,

      You can use Fuji Hakone Pass from Odawara. After Lake Kawaguchi, there is no direct ways to get Kyoto from Lake Kawaguchi. The easiest way is the following:
      Lake Kawaguchi (Fuji Kyuko Express Bus) Mishima (Shinkansen) Kyoto

      Fuji Kyuko Express bus is not covered by either JR pass or Fuji Hakone Pass.
      http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/29

      You need to go to Odawara or Mishima to catch Shinkansen. You can get one of these stations by Fuji Hakone Pass from Lake Kawaguchi. However you need to change the bus and train several times.
      Lake Kawaguchi (Fuji Kyuko bus) Gotemba Outlet (Hakone Tozanbus) Gora (Hakone Tozan Railway) Hakone-Yumoto (Odakyu railway) Odawara

      So if you want to take easier way, please pay extra fare to take express bus to Mishima.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Joe Z says:

    Hi.
    We want to go from Osaka -> Hakone (Day 1) -> Fuji Five Lakes (Day 2) -> Tokyo. What is the best way to do this trip. We don’t have to rush (like the trip above that you have for doing all in one day). How would you plan this out? We will be in Cherry Blossom season (1st week of April). Also, do you recommend a ryokan in Hakone we should consider? Do we need the Hakone FreePass. We will have the JR Pass for Day 1. It will expire at the end of that day. Thanks.

  10. Sharlotte says:

    Hi JPRail,
    I would like to travel from Karuizawa to Mt Fuji/ Hakone area. May I know what’s the fastest way to get there? By Shinkansen?
    Many thanks! 🙂

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