Hakone access guide and the sample itineraries

1 to 3 days

Hakone Tozan Railway are suspended due to the damage by the typhoon on October 13th, 2019. According to the official announcement, it will be open sometimes in fall 2020. Please check the status in Hakone Navi.

Hakone Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Ashi

Hakone is very popular spot. It is 1.5 hours away from Tokyo by train and bus. Many travelers want to visit there as day trip from Tokyo. Hakone is located on the way to Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya from Tokyo. You may add Hakone between Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya.

I have received many inquiries about the trip plan to Hakone. I would like to show you the various trip plans to Hakone. I hope you will find the trip plan which you need in this post.

How to access to Hakone

First of all, I would like to explain about the access to Hakone. There are several ways to get there. When you choose the way to Hakone, you have to consider which pass you will use. The way of the access to Hakone is varied by the deal.

Access to Hakone-Yumoto from Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Yokohama, Haneda airport

Access route to Hakone-Yumoto from Tokyo and Yokohama area. (Click to view large)

Hakone-Yumoto is located at the base of Hakone. Hakone-Yumoto is also known as one of the biggest hot springs towns in Hakone.

You may get Hakone from many stations in Tokyo area. There are several routes to get Hakone. Before choosing the route, you have to make sure which pass you use or do not intend to use any passes. The route is varied by the pass. I would like to show you the best and most cost efficient way.

Access to Hakone from Tokyo by JR Pass

Tokaido Shinkansen
Shinkansen is as known as Bullet train.

If you have JR pass, you can take Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Odawara. This Shinkansen ride is covered by JR pass.

If you stay in other than Tokyo or Shinagawa stations, you can use JR pass to take JR local train, such as Yamanote line to get these stations. You may find the information about the JR train network in downtown Tokyo in the post below:

In this trip, you may purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station and change the trains at Odawara.

Both Odakyu Railway and JR Odawara stations are located side by side.

JR pass does not help any rides after Odawara. Please see the link below to find more information about Odawara station.

Your trip schedule is the following:

Tokyo or Shinagawa (About 40 minutes by the Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari or Kodama) Odawara

Purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. Two days pass is 4,000 yen. One day pass is not available. Even if you have one day trip, two days pass is still cheaper than regular fare.

Odawara (15 minutes by Odakyu Railway) Hakone-Yumoto

After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto, follow the sample itinerary of Hakone which I will explain you later in this post.

The last Shinkansen train to Tokyo depart from Odawara at 22:51. Actually there is one more local train from Odawara later than this train which is departing from Odawara at 23:10. So you can stay Hakone-Yumoto until late night. Please see the links below to find Odakyu railway and Shinkansen timetable:

JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable

Hakone Navi – Transportation guide and the timetable

Access to Hakone from Yokohama by JR Pass

If you have JR pass, the Shinkansen ride is covered as I mentioned above. But the Shinkansen station in Yokohama is Shin-Yokohama. It is about 20 minutes away from Yokohama station by JR local train. If you stay in the bay area of Yokohama, you will spend another 10 minutes to get Yokohama station.

It takes 10 minutes by Yokohama city subway but this subway is not covered by JR pass. And also you spend at least 10 minutes to transfer at Shin-Yokohama from either JR local train or Yokohama city subway. The Shinkansen is not the best way from Yokohama to Odawara even though JR pass covers it. I recommend you to take the limited express Odoriko from Yokohama to Odawara. The limited express Super View Odoriko runs on same route and has nice interior. But this train does not stop at Odawara. The limited express Odoriko is covered by JR pass and you can get Odawara directly. The access to Shin-Yokohama is not required if you take the limited express Odoriko.

In this trip, you purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. JR pass does not help any rides after Odawara.

Your trip schedule is the following:

Yokohama (About 40 minutes by the limited express Odoriko) Odawara

Purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. Two days pass is 4,000 yen. One day pass is not available. Even if you have one day trip, two days pass is still cheaper than regular fare.

Odawara (Trip time 15 minutes by Odakyu Railway) Hakone-Yumoto

After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto, follow the sample itinerary of Hakone above.

It is hard to catch Odoriko on the way back. Because the last scheduled Odoriko leave from Odawara before 17:00. There are some more seasonal operation’s Odoriko running after 17:00. You may catch one of those trains. Please find the timetable in the links below:

Hakone Navi – Transportation guide and the timetable

JR East official site – the timetable

If you cannot take any Odoriko, you can catch the ordinary train. These trains are called Tokyo-Ueno line.

This is a sort of commute trains. Do not expect a nice comfort seat. It has a long bench seat. You may have to stand up. This train runs very frequently until 23:00. It depart from Odawara station every 10 to 20 minutes. You do not need to check the timetable. Just go to Odawara station and check the departure information board.

Most of ordinary train have green seat. If you use JR Pass Green, it is covered. The seat is much better than regular seat.

Green seat is quieter, more specious and more comfortable.
Ordinary seat is just for commuters. It is empty in the photo but in most of times, it is busy. You may need to stand up.

Even if you do not use Green pass, you can pay some extra to take this seat. The extra fee is starting from 570 yen. It is varied by the day (weekday or weekend) and the distance.

If you do not want to take the ordinary train, you can take the Shinkansen. But you need to change the trains at Shin-Yokohama station. The trip time may be longer.

Access to Hakone from Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama by JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass

If you use Tokyo Wide Pass or JR East Pass, you can use it to get Odawara as well.

Tokyo Wide Pass is newer version of Kanto Area Pass. Nikko, Fuji, Gala Yuzawa and Odaiba are covered by this pass

JR East Pass Niigata and Nagano. Flex 5 days pass in 14 days period to cover Kanto region, Nagano and Niigata

JR East Pass Tohoku. Flex 5 days pass in 14 days period to cover Tokyo, surrounding area of Tokyo and Tohoku region

JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass user guide. Perfect deal for the travelers who visit Tokyo and Sapporo by train

These passes are issued by JR East. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Odawara belongs to JR Central. It is same JR group but it is technically different company from JR East. That is why these passes do not cover Shinkansen between Tokyo and Odawara. The choice for these passes is same as above which is the limited express Odoriko. You can catch Odoriko at Tokyo, Shinagawa or Yokohama. The schedule is the following:

Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama (About 40 to 60 minutes by the limited express Odoriko) Odawara

Purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. Two days pass is 4,000 yen. One day pass is not available. Even if you have one day trip, two days pass is still cheaper than regular fare.

Odawara (Trip time 15 minutes by Odakyu Railway) Hakone-Yumoto

After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto, follow the sample itinerary of Hakone above.

On the way back to Tokyo, you can use same way as the chapter above, “Access to Hakone from Yokohama by JR Pass”.

Access to Hakone from Shinjuku by Odakyu Railway

Platform in Hakone-Yumoto station. It is small station. You can find the track where you need to go to easily.

If you do not use JR Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass or JR-East South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can simply start to use Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku. Odakyu Railway connects Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto. If you pay extra on top of Hakone Free Pass to take the limited express train, “Romancecar”, you can get Hakone-Yumoto directly. Transfer at Odawara station is not required. You can find how much limited express surcharge is in the link below:

Odakyu Railway – Romancecar surcharge

The base fare is included in Hakone Free Pass. You just requires the limited express surcharge on top of Hakone Free Pass. If you take Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, the extra cost is 890 yen for one way.

If you want to save your budget, you can take the ordinary train. Odakyu Railway operates a few kinds of the ordinary trains. The Rapid Express is the fastest train in all ordinary trains. You can take this train by Hakone Free Pass without any extra. However you need to change the trains at Odawara station. You cannot get Hakone-Yumoto directly. In Odawara station, you just need to change to the local train to Hakone-Yumoto. You do not need to exit the station because you already have Hakone Free Pass.

The trip time is also different between Romancecar and Rapid train.

By Romancecar
Shinjuku (Trip time 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes) Hakone-Yumoto

By ordinary trains (rapid Express and local train)
Shinjuku (Trip time 1.5 hours) Odawara (Trip time 15 minutes) + the transfer time in Odawara station

The train connection is very smooth at Odawara station. You usually spend around 10 minutes. You do not spend many minutes to transfer at Odawara station. Roughly speaking, the trip time difference between Romancecar and ordinary trains is around 30 minutes.

The accommodation is very different. The Rapid Express is a sort of commute trains. You may need to stand up.

Interior of ordinary train. Train may be more crowded when you are on board.

Romancecar offers nice comfortable seat. All seats are reserved.

Interior of Romancecar

Romancecar is the best way to get Hakone in my opinion.

Access to Hakone from Tokyo, Yokohama and Haneda airport by Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus

If you do not use any passes, the express bus is your choice too. This bus takes you to many places in Hakone directly. Please see the link below to find the information:

Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus

Especially if you arrive in Haneda and access to Hakone right after the arrival, this express bus is most convenient way. You can get Hakone-Yumoto directly.

Most routes of this express bus is NOT covered by Hakone Free Pass. Hakone Free Pass covers only the route in Hakone, such as Gotemba to Togendai segment.

Hakone Free Pass is sold at many places in Hakone, such as Hakone-Yumoto station, Hakone Tozan Bus Togendai info booth, Motohakone info both.

How to add Hakone between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya

The gateway to Odawara is located between Tokyo and Nagoya. You can drop by Hakone on the way or the way back. You also can access to Hakone from Mishima too. I would like to show several ways to get Hakone between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya.

Tokyo to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka with stop at Odawara or Mishima by JR pass

As I wrote above, you can access to Odawara by the Tokaido Shinkansen. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo, Odawara, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. It is quite easy to squeeze. You can access to Hakone from Mishima. Please see the route map below:

Mishima or Odawara is the gateway to Hakone. (Click to view large)

Mishima is two stations closer to Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka than Odawara. If you intend to stay overnight around Lake Ashi, Mishima is more convenient than Odawara. You can get Hakone Free Pass at Mishima station too. Tokai Bus connects Mishima, Motohakone and Hakonemachi. Tokai Bus is fully covered by Hakone Free Pass too. You can find the information about Mishima station in the post below:

You can find some “Hikari” which is the faster train on Shinkansen line to stop at Odawara. You may get Odawara or Mishima from Kyoto or Shin-Osaka by this Hikari directly. Hikari is covered by JR pass fully. You take this type of Hikari from Tokyo or Shinagawa. But trip time is not much different by the slowest Shinkansen train “Kodama”.

Please see the link below to find the Shinkansen timetable in the link below:

JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable

Yokohama to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka with stop at Odawara or Mishima by JR Pass

Ordinary train may be faster than Shinkansen route to Yokohama. (Click to view large)

As I mentioned above, the trains on the ordinary line, like the limited express Odoriko, Tokyo-Ueno line are faster and more convenient in most of cases. You can take Shinkansen between Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka and Mishima or Odawara. But I recommend you take the limited express Odoriko or Tokyo-Ueno line. Of course, if you want, you can take the Shinkansen between Odawara and Shin-Yokohama, and then take Yokohama line local or rapid train from Shin-Yokohama to Yokohama.

Tokyo to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka with stop at Odawara or Mishima by regular ticket

If you do not use JR pass, you can take any trains. Odakyu Railway is most convenient if you stay in west side of downtown, such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro. You can take Odakyu railway between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto.

Odakyu Railway Romancecar offers direct service between Tokyo and Hakone-Yumoto. (Click to view large)

You may take Shinkansen anyway between Odawara (or Mishima) and Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. You need the following tickets and deal:

Odakyu Railway base fare ticket for Shinjuku to/from Odawara (and Romancecar surcharge if you want to take Romancecar)
Hakone Free Pass (Odawara departure)
JR base fare ticket and Shinkansen seat fee ticket for Odawara (or Mishima) to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka

All fares and train timetables can be found at Hyperdia:

If you stay in east side of downtown Tokyo, such as Ueno, Tokyo, Shinagawa, you may take same route as JR pass. You can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Odawara. In this case, you can use same base fare ticket for Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. You can make a stopover at Odawara. But you need Shinkansen seat fee ticket for each segment, Tokyo to Odawara and Odawara to Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. You can find more information in the link below:

Access to Hakone from Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka

You may visit Hakone after/before visiting Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka area. You can combine Hakone and these places in one trip. Please see the link below how you can access between these places in the link below:

You have completed to learn about the access to Hakone. Now I would like to show you the sample itinerary.

Hakone day trip from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto

Owakudani is one of most popular spots in Hakone.

I would like to show you the sample itinerary which departs from Hakone-Yumoto. You may add this sample itinerary on your way to Hakone which I have already explained above.

Hakone Free Pass

Hakone Free Pass covers whole part of trip in Hakone. You should have this pass for sightseeing in Hakone. You can purchase Hakone Free Pass at most of stations on Odakyu Railway, such as Shinjuku, Odawara, Hakone-Yumoto. And also you can get this pass at most of information center in Hakone, such as Togendai, Motohakone. Please refer the link below to find the detailed information about Hakone Free Pass.

Hakone Free Pass official site

The minimum duration of Hakone Free Pass is 2 days. However you can get the worth of it by day trip easily if you visit whole part of Hakone.

You can purchase Hakone Free Pass at the various places, such as Shinjuku, Odawara, Hakone-Yumoto, Togendai.

Basic sample itinerary from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto

Hakone-Yumoto is one of the biggest town in Hakone. This place is also the gateway to the core of Hakone. You start your trip in Hakone from Hakone-Yumoto if you start your trip from Tokyo or Yokohama.

Basic itinerary route (Click to view large)

Hakone-Yumoto (36 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Chokoku no Mori

Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum (1 to 1.5 hours)

Chokoku no Mori (2 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora (10 minutes by Hakone Tozan Cable Car) Sounzan (Trip time 8 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani

Walking in Owakudani (1 hour)

Owakudani (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Togendai

Lunch time at Togendai (1.5 hour)

Togendai port (30 minutes by Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) Motohakone port (10 minutes walk) Hakone Shrine

Visit Hakone Shrine and walk around the shore of Lake Ashi (1 hour)

Hakone Shrine (10 minutes walk) Hakone-Jinjamae bus stop (40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Yumoto

Total trip time of Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto is around 8 hours. You may shrink the trip time. The last train departure time is varied by your access from Tokyo. But most of trains run until late. I will tell you later but you can eat dinner at Hakone-Yumoto. You also have time to take Onsen bath at Hakone-Yumoto too even if you spend 8 hours for sightseeing.

You can take the reverse route, visiting Hakone shrine first. It is less crowded. However when the weather is good, Mt. Fuji show up just in front of you when you are on Hakone Ropeway. It is very dramatic and you will be amazed.

Sample itinerary including Gotemba Outlet from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto

The above itinerary does not include Gotemba Outlet. If you want to shop at Gotemba Outlet, you have to give up some places. You may remove Hakone Open-Air Museum to make some extra time.

Gotemba outlet is added. You do not ride Hakone Cable Car and Hakone Ropeway between Sounzan and Owakudani. (Click to view large)

Hakone-Yumoto (38 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora (1 hour 10 minutes) Gotemba Outlet

Shop at Gotemba Outlet (2 hours)

Gotemba Outlet (36 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Sengoku-Annaijo (13 minutes by Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus) Togendai

Lunch time at Togendai (1.5 hour)

Togendai (Trip time 16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani

Walking in Owakudani (1 hour)

Owakudani (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Togendai / Togendai port (30 minutes by Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) Motohakone port (10 minutes walk) Hakone Shrine

Visit Hakone Shrine and walk around the shore of Lake Ashi (1 hour)

Hakone Shrine (10 minutes walk) Hakone-Jinjamae bus stop (40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Yumoto

This plan is around 10.5 to 11 hours total trip time. It is much longer than the first base plan but it is still feasible. If you want to have lots of time to eat and take Onsen at the of the trip in Hakone-Yumoto, you may remove Hakone-Shrine too.

Some of you are looking for overnight stay in Hakone. I would like to show you 2 days sample itinerary too.

Extend to two days trip in Hakone

I showed day trip itinerary. But if you can stay overnight in Hakone, your trip is much slower and easier to manage. And also you can visit many more places in Hakone. In my sample itinerary, I combine these above two day trip itinerary and add some more spots.

Day 1 schedule (left) / Day 2 schedule (right) (Click to view large)

Day 1

Hakone-Yumoto (38 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora (10 minutes by Hakone Tozan Cable Car) Sounzan (Trip time 8 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani

Walking in Owakudani (1 hour)

Owakudani (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Togendai

Lunch time at Togendai (1.5 hour)

Togendai port (35 minutes by Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) Hakonemachi port (5 minutes by walk) Hakone Check Point

Visit Hakone Sekisho (Hakone Check Point) (30 minutes)

Hakone Check Point (10 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Jinja-Iriguchi bus stop (10 minutes walk) Hakone Shrine

Visit Hakone Shrine and walk around the shore of Lake Ashi (1 hour)

Hakone Shrine (10 minutes walk) Hakone-Jinja-Iriguchi bus stop (40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Yumoto

Day 2

Hakone-Yumoto (36 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Chokoku no Mori

Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum (1 to 1.5 hours)

Chokoku no Mori (2 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora

Visit Gora Park (30 minutes)

Gora (20 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone Glass no Mori

Visit Hakone Glass no Mori Museum (1 to 1.5 hours)

Hakone Glass no Mori (50 minutes) Gotemba Outlet

Shop and Lunch at Gotemba Outlet (As much as you want)

Gotemba Outlet (1 hour 20 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Gora (38 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Hakone-Yumoto
*Some express bus services are available between Outlet and Hakone-Yumoto. If you can catch it, it takes one hour and no change train/bus at Gora.

This is just a sample. You can arrange whatever you want. Of course you can switch day 1 and 2.

You can stay overnight anywhere in Hakone. But Hakone-Yumoto is most recommended. You can leave your luggage until you leave Hakone on day 2. Hakone-Yumoto is connected with Shinjuku by Odakyu Railway Romancecar. It is a few stations away from Odawara. It is most convenient place in Hakone.

I hope this post will help you to build your trip plan to Hakone.

Comments

  1. Noel says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am travelling to Japan at the end of this month/start of October and was hoping you could help me with my travels to Hakone/ Mt Fuji, from Toyko and onward to Shizouka . Our current itinerary is as follows;

    20 Sept – Arrive Tokyo ( Stay 6 nights)
    26 Sept – Stay in Hakone
    27 Sept – Stay in Hakone
    28 Sept – Leave Hakone Early Morning & Stay in Shizouka
    29 Sept – Leave Shizouka & Travel to Kyoto
    29 Sept – Kyoto (3 nights)
    2 Oct – Osaka ( 2 Nights)
    4 Oct – Flight from Osaka.

    A couple of questions –
    1)We are planning on getting a 7 day JR Pass, when would be the best time to activate this? I was thinking just before we go to Hakone, however if we get a separate Hakone 2-3 day pass would we need to use our JR Pass at this point?

    2)We need to get to Shizouka from Hakone quite early on the 28th, what is the fastest option for this trip and are there early morning options?

    3)What is the best area to stay in Hakone for access to transport to allow early departure?

    Kind Regards,

    Noel

  2. amina says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I plan to visit Japan on 31st Oct to 6th Nov 2019 (7D 6N), only 5 full days. Here my itinerary:
    31/10- arrived from Narita to Shin-yurigoaka (around 9pm)
    1/11 -Tokyo
    2/11 & 3 /11 -Hakone (2 days pass) stay at hakone-yumoto area
    4/11-Mt. Fuji
    5/11- Disney/Chiba
    6/11- To Narita airport

    1) Is it worth it to use both pass for Hakone pass (2days) & mt Fuji pass (1day) ?
    2) do I need to go Disney and chiba area in 1 day?

    • Hi Amina,

      1. Hakone Free Pass is recommended. But I cannot say that Mt. Fuji Pass is a good choice or not. It does not include any transportation between Tokyo and Fuji. You have to add it. And it depends on how many attractions you will visit. If you visit 3 or more in the list of this pass, you may be able to make the worth.

      2. I don’t think that you can combine any places with Disneyland. You will spend one whole day easily in Disneyland. If you really want to combine somewhere in Chiba, that’s okay. You can do it as you like. But you may not be satisfied by the time in Disneland.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Zen says:

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    My husband and I will travel to Japan in mid Sep’19 for 7 days. Please advise our itinerary as planned:
    Day 1 (16 Sep) – Arrive HND airport @ 10.30am/Tokyo
    Day 2 (17 Sep) – Tokyo
    Using Fuji Hakone 3-day Pass @ Day 3
    Day 3 (18 Sep) – Shinjuku bus terminal to Kawaguchiko (check in hotel near Kawaguchiko station) Visit 5th station & Chureito Pagoda
    Day 4 (19 Sep) – Kawaguchiko to Gotemba; Gotemba to Tora(check in near Tora); visit open air museum
    Day 5 (20 Sep) – Sengoku to Togendai/ Lake cruise; leave from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku by RomanceCar
    Day 6 (21 Sep) – Tokyo
    Day 7 (22 Sep) – To Haneda Airport (depart 11.45pm)

    My questions are:
    1. Since we reached Tokyo late night, which transport would be convenient for us and does hotel accept late check-in?
    2. Should we purchase the Fuji Hakone 3-day Pass on Day 3, or one day in advance (Day 2) or online purchase of the pass ( if yes, please provide the website)
    3. Should we buy the 24-hour Tokyo subway ticket or any recommendation for Day 2, Day 6, Day7. Other ticket we’ll also purchase Spica

    Your kind assistance and advice are highly appreciated.

  4. Maggie says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I would like to check how do I travel from hakone to mt fuji directly. I plan to spend 2 days for each place and I have a cabin size luggage.

    Thanks

  5. vivian chin says:

    Hi, we are planing to rent a car for 3 day 2 night from Shinjuku to Mt Fuji and Hakone, kindly advice me the best route from tokyo .

    regards

    • Hi Vivian,

      Sorry but I can explain about train and bus travel only. I have not driven in Japan for more than 10 years. I’m not the right person to explain it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Yuri says:

    Konnichiwa Takeshi-san,
    Thanks for detailed info you provided.
    Just wondering if you can take a quick look at my 2 weeks itinerary (Sept 20- Oct 04) and help me with my questions:
    1. 09/20- Tokyo- arriving (from Canada) 4:00 pm- 5 nights;
    2. 09/21-09/23- Tokyo;
    3. 09/24- day trip (train) to Yokohama/Kamakura;
    4. 09/25- move (train) to Hakone- 1 night;
    5. 09/26- move (train) to Kyoto- 5 nights;
    6. 09/27-09/28- Kyoto- 5 nights;
    7. 09/29- day trip (train) Osaka;
    8. 09/30- day trip (train) Nara (maybe + Kobe);
    9. 10/01- move (train)- Takayama- 2 nights;
    10. 10/02- day trip (train) Kanazawa;
    11. 10/03- Takayama;
    12. 10/04- move (train) to Tokyo- departure to Canada at 6 pm
    Questions:
    1. Any immediate issues you can see (it’s certainly still draft version)?
    2. Do we need JR pass (2 weeks probably) from your view?
    Arigatou gozaimasu.
    \Yuri

  7. Jane Harriott says:

    Hi
    We are visiting a friend in Tokyo and arriving on 5th April 2019. We are not planning to visit many places , rather to enjoy time with our friend in the city and to see some beautiful scenery and to do some walking.
    Just want to know whether it is worth buying a 7 day JRpass for the first part of our trip
    5/4 Arrive Tokyo
    6/4 Train to Takayama (3 nights)
    9/4 Train to Hakone (3 nights)
    12/4 Train to Tokyo (6 nights)
    18/4 Depart Tokyo

    Thanks very much.

  8. Carol Barbiero says:

    Hi Takeshi – all this information is very helpful. But I’m still a bit confused.
    I’m traveling with my husband, parents and in-laws – half of the group will do only 10 days and the rest 17 days.

    this is what I’m thinking
    May 10-13 – Tokyo
    14 – Tokyo / Nikko / Tokkyo (day trip)
    15-17 – Hakone
    18-19 Kyoto (part of the group goes back to Tokyo to catch a flight)
    20 – Kanazawa
    21 – Shirakawa
    22/23 – Takayama
    24 – Hiroshima & Miyajima Island (not sure if this will happen – seem a bit out of the way)
    25 – Matsrumotto
    26- Alpine Route
    27-Nara/ Tokyo

    I guess my first question is if you think this itinerary is good and what would be your suggestions. My second question is in connection with the JR – should we buy 7 days for the first group and 14 for the second one?

    Thanks in advance,
    Carol

    • Hi Carol,

      7 days and 14 days JR pass are okay.

      For the second group, I recommend you to change the trip plan from Kyoto to Tokyo as follows:
      20 – Kyoto to Hiroshima
      21 – Hiroshima to Nara
      22 – Nara to Takayama
      23 – Takayama to Shirakawago
      24 – Shirakawago to Kanazawa
      25 – Kanazawa – Alpine route – Matsumoto
      26 – Matsumoto – Tokyo
      27 – Tokyo

      You may extend one more day somewhere from 20 to 27. Kyoto is the closest place to Nara and Hiroshima in your trip plan. You should visit these places before going to Takayama and Kanazawa. Alpine route is located between Kanazawa and Matsumoto. This order is better to visit.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. LL says:

    Hi Takeshi, I do need some advice and guidance from you.
    24/11-HND airport
    25-27/11 – Tokyo
    28/11-Hakone (Hakone Free Pass and Activate JR pass)
    29/11-Tokyo to Osaka (JR)
    30/11-Universal studio (JR)
    1/11-Nara (JR) & Kansai Thru Pass 3 days
    2/1- Kyoto (JR) & Kansai Thru Pass
    3/1- Osaka
    4/1- To Kansai airport (JR)

    1. How can i maximize the use of my 7 days JR pass?

    2. If we have Hakone Free Pass, which route and transport do u recommend for shinjuku – Hakone? Taking JR from Shinjuku to Odawara then change to Hakone railway line or directly get romance car pass to Hakone Yumo? To and fro

    3. If we would only like to take Hakone ropeway and Hakone sightseeing cruise Lake Ashi, do we still need to get ourselves a Hakone Free Pass?

    Regards,
    LL

  10. Fiona says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am going to visit Japan this month for 11.5 days and would like your advice on my itinerary. Here is my planned route –

    11/16 – 11/18: Tokyo (HND – Shinjuku)
    11/19: Hakone
    11/20 – 11/22: Kyoto
    11/23: Nara
    11/24: Hiroshima and Miyajima
    11/25 – 11/26: Osaka
    11/27: Tokyo (Chiyoda – HND)

    Do you think I can get the most of a 7 day or 14 day JR Pass? I am also considering the Hakone Free Pass.

    Thank you.

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