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
Contents
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Owakudani to Hakone-machi Port via Togendai
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
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!
Hi Takeshi,
I can’t seem to figure out best way to get to Hakone-Yumoto Station from Gora via bus or vice-versa. Which bus line do I use?
Hi Colleen,
The substitute bus service runs instead of Hakone Tozan Railway now. Please see the link below. You can find the departure time of the bus at both Hakone-Yumoto and Gora.
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/07002e0996eaebab30f9423032378e82.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We will be staying in Tokyo for 2 nights, then travel to Lake Kawaguchi and stay one night, and then we will go to Osaka.
We would like to visit Hakone.
I could not decide whether to go to Hakone as a one-day trip from Tokyo (back to Tokyo). Or should I go to Hakone as I travel up to Lake Kawaguchi (Will we have enough time in both places? Are we able to carry our luggage?).
Thank you.
Hi Cindy,
You can visit Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone in 2 days. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/fuji-and-hakone-two-days-trip-sample-itinerary-spring-version.html
But a luggage is an issue. If you carry a luggage, you have to store it in the locker. It is troublesome and not recommened. If you visit both between Tokyo and Osaka, I recommend you to ship your luggage from Tokyo to Osaka. And pack small for one night trip. Most hotels can manage a shipping. Even if they don’t, they can tell you the nearest place to ship your luggage. Ask your hotel to make sure it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
One more question: what’s the best way to get to Osaka from Hakone?
Thank you very much.
Hi Cindy,
You can get on the Shinkansen from Odawara. Please find more info in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m going to visit Japan on 10th January 2020.
My plan is staying 2 days in Fuji (10th-12th
January 2020) and then go to Tokyo untuk 17th
January 2020.
We will arrive in Haneda around 5am in the morning. My plan is going to Shinjuku from Haneda. I’ll buy Fuji Hakone Pass at The Odakyu Sightseeing Service Centers and then go to Fuji.
I read your article that said:
“Please get this pass day before departure day because you will leave Shinjuku in early morning.”
I’m confused and need your advice, is it possible for me to buy Fuji Hakone Pass early morning on the same day? My first day in Japan should be in Fuji
Thank you
Hi Sulaiman,
This post explains one day trip from Shinjuku and in the trip plan, departure time is very early. That is why I mentioned to get the pass day before. Because Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center is openn from 8:00 am.
In your trip, you will stay Fuji and you will move to Shinjuku from Haneda. You can go to Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center to buy the pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com