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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 (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

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:
    October 11, 2018 at 11:31 pm

    Good day Takeshi-san,
    Would appreciate your review and comment for my plan trip as per below. Is a 2 days trips to Mount Fuji and Hakone. Besides that would appreciate if you could suggest the public transport I should take for my trip below.
    1st day to Mount Fuji – From Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi and visit Mt. KachiKachi Ropeway and Lake Kawaguchi Cruise. Proceed to Gotemba Premium Outlet and travel back to Shinjuku.
    2nd day to Hakone – Places to visit Oshino-Hakkai and Togendai
    Between I am unable to stay at Hakone as I had already booked my hotel in Shinjuku for the whole trip hence all my destination will have to be traveled from Shinjuku. Thanking you in advance for your great help.

  2. amos says:
    October 8, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    Hi can i check if i give up gotemba outlet and add in oshino hakkai, is it still possible to make it to the hakone locations ?

  3. AARON RAYMOND says:
    September 6, 2018 at 12:17 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks for the putting up the 1-day itinerary, I’m doing the opposite direction starting from Shinjuku to ropeway using the Limited Love train. After that from Hakone we heading off to Lake Kawaguchi by bus and staying a night at kawaguchi. What I’m puzzle is the trip from Hakone Ropeway to Kawaguchiko by bus I not sure what bus to take an were to take the bus from Hakone. You help will be much appreciated thank you

  4. Linda Deboer says:
    August 23, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    Hello and thank you for posting such an interesting itinerary. We are travelling to Yokohama late September and were hoping to do a two night short getaway trip before going to Tokyo. Do you have any recommendations? We would love to see some of Mt Fuji, and enjoy nature, outdoors, lakes – when trying to find a trip from Yokohama, it seemed to take a long time to get to the lakes? Any suggestions are appreciated.
    Thank you
    Lin

  5. Brigid Byrne says:
    August 22, 2018 at 1:07 am

    My trip is the Reverse – I leave Miyajima on 13 October and arrive in Tokyo on 21 October. I wish to go via Takayama, Kanazawa (via Shirakawago), Tayama, Toyama, Alpine Route via Tateyama, Kurobe, stay in Murodo, Matsumoto and finally Tokyo.

    Could I please have the best train routes – I will have a 21-day JR Rail Pass.

    Thank you.

  6. Brigid Byrne says:
    August 22, 2018 at 1:00 am

    Thank you for your itinerary from Tokyo to Hiroshima via Alpine Route.

    I could not find your reverse trip? I shall be leaving Miyajima on 13 October to go to Takayama, Kanazawa, Toyama, Tateyama, Kurobe, Alpine Route, Murodo, Matsumoto and finally Tokyo on 21 October.

    I do not know which trains to take and the ORDER of stops. Would appreciate your help.

  7. Rissa says:
    June 4, 2018 at 2:31 am

    Hello!

    Thank you for this itinerary. I’m looking for suggestion for travelling on Late July.
    This is my itinerary
    Tokyo – Kawagoe – Hokuto (Akeno Sunflower Garden) – Fujikawaguchiko – Hakone – Yokohama – Tokyo

    I’ll spend a night on Fujikawaguchiko and start looking around next morning then Hakone on afternoon, spend another night Yokohama. Then back to Tokyo on afternoon/evening. Is it possible?

    So about 2.5 -3 days trip. Which one better to purchase, Fuji Hakone Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass?

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      June 4, 2018 at 6:36 am

      Hi Rissa,

      Your itinerary is feasible. I recommend you to use Fuji Hakone Pass Odawara version at 5,650 yen. You can find the info at the bottom of the link below:
      https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/

      You don’t need Shinjuku version of Fuji Hakone Pass because you will not use Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko and Odawara to Shinjuku.

      For other segments, regular fare is your choice. If you have Tokyo Wide Pass, these other segments are covered. But you cannot get the worth. If you want convenience, you can use it. But Tokyo wide pass is slightly more expensive than total fares.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Sook fun says:
    May 26, 2018 at 5:04 am

    Hi, I would like to include 5th station, Lake Ashi and Gotemba outlets in my day trip plan from Shinjuku. How should I start off. Thanks

  9. Chua says:
    May 4, 2018 at 6:39 am

    Hi Takeshi, takes for your great post. It seems like a breeze. But I’m really confused. I’m planning a trip from Shinjuku to
    1) Mount Fuji 5th station
    2) Ashi Pirate Ship
    3) Ropeway
    4) Gotemba Outlet

    Should I start by going Mount Fuji?
    Not sure where to get the pirate ship and where to the ropeway and back?

    Your help is much appreciated!!!

  10. Avisatya says:
    April 8, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for your fuji hakone 1 day trip itinerary.
    Does Fuji Hakone Pass also cover Odakyu Railway’s limited express train, “Romancecar” ticket? Because I saw in the Fuji Hakone Pass website, it state “A separate Limited Express Romancecar ticket is required to use the Romancecar”.

    Kindly need your confirmation. Thank you

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