Sample itinerary of Kyoto, Hakone, Fuji and Tokyo classic route

7 to 9 days
Mt. Fuji from the shore of Lake Ashi in Hakone ©JNTO
2013.07.22
Mt. Fuji from the shore of Lake Ashi in Hakone ©JNTO

Mt. Fuji from the shore of Lake Ashi in Hakone ©JNTO

I have received many inquiries about Osaka-Tokyo one way trip plus Hakone and Fuji. In this case, Japan Rail Pass is too expensive for Osaka-Tokyo one way trip. So I would like to show you a classic itinerary for this trip. I want to share with you about how to combine several deals and single tickets.

What kind of ticket you need

From Kansai to Narita

ICOCA and Haruka one way ticket / 3000 yen
Base fare ticket from Kyoto to Shinjuku/ 7980 yen
Shinkansen Nozomi reserved seat supplement ticket from Kyoto to Shinagawa / 5540 yen
Base fare ticket from Shinjuku to Narta Airport / 1450 yen
Narita Express reserved seat supplement ticket from Shinjuku to Narita Airport / 1660 yen
Fuji Hakone Pass / 7000 yen
Limited Express surcharge for Odakyu Romance car from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku / 870 yen

Total 27500 yen

From Kansai to Haneda

ICOCA and Haruka one way ticket / 3000 yen
Base fare ticket from Kyoto to Shinjuku / 7980 yen
Shinkansen Nozomi reserved seat supplement ticket from Kyoto to Shinagawa / 5540 yen
Base fare ticket from Shinjuku to Shinagawa (JR) / 190 yen
Base fare ticket from Shinagawa to Haneda Airport International Terminal (Keihin Kyuko) / 400 yen
Fuji Hakone Pass / 7000 yen
Limited Express surcharge for Odakyu Romancecar from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku / 870 yen

Total 24980 yen

Itinerary

Day 1 / Kansai (KIX) – Kyoto

Kansai Airport is the gateway to this itinerary. ©Kansai International Airport Co.,Ltd/©JNTO

Kansai Airport is the gateway to this itinerary. ©Kansai International Airport Co.,Ltd/©JNTO

Ticket : ICOCA and Haruka

After arrival at KIX, go to JR Kansai Airport station and purchase ICOCA and Haruka one way ticket.
Limited Express Haruka is only direct train service from KIX to Kyoto. This is the best and the fastest. It runs almost every hour. It takes about 1.5 hour to get Kyoto from KIX.

If you are not hurry, try to complete all JR train bookings at Kansai Airport station. If you can’t, you can do it at JR Kyoto station. You have to purchase and book all ticket except Fuji Hakone Pass and Limited Express surcharge for Odakyu Romancecar.

Overnight in Kyoto

Day 2 / Kyoto

Togetsukyo bridge is the highlight in Arashiyama. ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

Togetsukyo bridge is the highlight in Arashiyama. ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

Use ICOCA for your sightseeing in Kyoto. I think 1500 yen e-money cover most of your trip in Kyoto.

Overnight in Kyoto

Day 3 / Kyoto – Tokyo – Shinjuku – Hakone

Ticket : Base fare ticket from Kyoto to Shinjuku, Shinkansen Nozomi supplement ticket, Fuji Hakone Pass

Kyoto 08:02 departure by Shinkansen Nozomi 306
Shinagawa 10:13
Take local train (Yamamote line) to get Shinjuku. It takes abut 20 minutes.
Shinjku 11:40 (Chuo Highway Bus)
Kawaguchiko station 13:32
After arrival at Kawaguchiko station, enjoy sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchi.

When you depart from Kyoto, you can take any Shinkansen train to Tokyo or Shinagawa. Please see JR Central Shinkansen timetable (PDF).

After arrival at Shinjuku station, go to Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Odakyu Shinjku station to get Fuji Hakone Pass.
*Please see Odakyu website to get more detail about Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shijuku station.

By the way, Hakone and Fuji are located between Kyoto and Tokyo. Especially Odawara is the nearest station to Hakone and there is Shinkansen station. But I have two reasons why I skip Odawara and go to Tokyo. First of all, Fuji Hakone Pass is only unlimited ride ticket that covers both Hakone and Fuji can be purchased at Odakyu Shinjuku station only. We cannot purchase it at Odawara and any other stations other than Shinjuku. Second reason is luggage storage. In the trip to Fuji and Hakone, you will take lots of transportation and stay at different hotels for this 3 days trip. If you have a bit luggage, like full size suitcase, the luggage will be a big problem. So why don’t you leave your luggage in Shinjuku? This Fuji and Hakone trip is starting from Shinjuku and finish in Shinjuku. You can pack small luggage for just two nights trip to Fuji and Hakone. If you book hotel near Shinjuku station, you may be able to leave your luggage at the hotel. If you can’t you can use coin locker or storage service in the station.

In Fuji and Hakone, Odakyu Railway’s website provide nice itinerary and information about this trip. Please see Fuji-Hakone model course. But in this itinerary, recommended accommodations are a bit pricey. You can make an arrangement whatever you want.

Overnight in Lake Kawaguchi

Day 4 / Lake Kawaguchi – Gotemba – Hakone

Hakone Ropeway is one of the best way to see the mountains surrounding Hakone. ©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO

Hakone Ropeway is one of the best way to see the mountains surrounding Hakone. ©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO

Ticket : Fuji Hakone Pass

From Lake Kawaguchi to Gotemba, you can take Fuji Kyuko Bus by Fuji Hakone Free Pass. Unfortunately English timetable is not available, but you can check it at Japanese website. Please check Fuji Kyuko Bus website. There are two tables. Lower table is to Gotemba from Lake Kawaguchi. Lake Kawaguchi is shown as “河口湖駅” at the top of the table. Gotemba is shown as 御殿場駅（着）at the 4th row from the bottom. If you want to go to Gotemba Premium Outlet, you see “御殿場プレミアムアウトレット” at 2nd row from the bottom. If you click “11時～15時”, timetable shows timetable between 11:00 and 15:00. If you click “16時～19時”, you will see the bus between 16:00 and 19:00.

From Gotemba to Hakone-Togendai, take Odakyu highway bus. Timetable is shown on this PDF.

After arrival in Hakone-Togendai, you can enjoy cruise on Lake Ashi, Gondola ride or Hakone Tozan bus. All transportation guide in Hakone can be seen at Hakobe Navi.

Overnight in Hakone

Day 5 / Hakone – Tokyo

Ticket : Fuji Hakone Pass, Supplement ticket for Odakyu Romancecar

First of all, access to Hakone-Yumoto station. You can access there by Hakone Tozan Bus or Hakone Tozan Railway.

After arrival in Hakone-Yumoto station, you can take Odakyu Limited Express train “Romancecar” to Shinjuku directly. You have to pay additional 870 yen on Fuji Hakone Pass. But it is fast and more comfortable than local train. I strongly recommend to take this train.

If you leave your luggage in Shinjuku, don’t forget to pick up. Lots of shops and restaurant open until late in Shinjuku. You can enjoy Tokyo even after come back from Hakone.

Overnight in Tokyo

Day 6 / Tokyo

Ticket : Maybe subway pass (not included in total cost)

If you visit several places in one day, you may think about purchasing subway pass. Please see the post, Fast, economical and convenient for sightseeing in Tokyo. Learn about Tokyo Subways.

Overnight in Tokyo

Day 7 / Tokyo – Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND)

Ticket : Single ticket to Narita from Shinjuku and Supplement ticket for Narita Express (to Narita)
Single ticket to Shinagawa from Shinjuku (JR) and Shinagawa to Haneda Airport International Terminal (Keihin Kyuko)

If you go to Narita, Narita Express is the best option from Shinjuku. It is direct service and on time. You may be able to take direct limousine bus to Narita from the door of your hotel. Please see the post, Compare many rail services and shuttle bus. How to get downtown Tokyo from Narita airport.

If you go to Haneda, it is simple. Just purchase the ticket at the vending machine in the station. You don’t need to prepare in advance.

You can extend as you like

I tried to put everything in 7 day. So I skipped Osaka and Nara. Of course you can add anywhere between Osaka and Tokyo if you have extra time. If you want to stop at Osaka, you can still use ICOCA and Haruka. ICOCA can be used for Osaka subway as well. If your ICOCA is empty before you go to Kyoto, you can add Kyoto city pass for your sightseeing in Kyoto.

Of course you can complete this itinerary in reverse. Total cost is a bit higher but not much different.

Comments

  1. John Dahlem says:
    July 2, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    I want to go from Tokyo to Hakone to Kyoto (side trip to Nara) and fly out of Osaka…can’t figure out if Japan Pass is good for all this (it will be within 7 days)….what should I do? Also, if I want to use the city subways is there a pass that works in Tokyo and Kyoto. Many thanks and very …confused?

  2. Syafina says:
    June 24, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    This is a very useful website. Keep up the good work =)
    I would like to seek an advice from you regarding my itinarary and whether I should buy the 7 days JR Pass or not.

    Feb 26th 2016 (Friday) – Arrive in Kansai 8am; Cover Osaka and stay overnight
    Feb 27th – Cover main attraction in Kyoto and head to Tokyo
    Feb 28th – March 1st – Cover Tokyo and Mt.Fuji
    March 2nd – Shirakawago and stay overnight
    March 3rd – Head back to Kyoto
    March 4th – Going back home from Kansai Airport 11am

  3. Sim says:
    June 15, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    Thank you for maintaining this website, it is very useful especially for first time visitors to Japan.

    We (2 adults 1 baby) are going to Japan in mid October 2015 for 18 days. Below is our planned itinerary:

    Day 1 – 4: Reach Narita Airport; stay 3 nights at Shinjuku
    Day 4 – 8: Shinjuku -> Osaka (4 nights at Osaka)
    Day 8 – 12: Osaka -> Kyoto (4 nights at Kyoto)
    Day 12 – 13: Kyoto -> Kanazawa -> Shirakawa-go -> Takayama -> Kanazawa (overnight)
    Day 13 – 14: Kanazawa -> Tokyo (overnight)
    Day 14 – 15: Tokyo -> Hakone -> Gotemba (overnight)
    Day 15 – 18: Gotemba -> Shinjuku (4 nights) -> Narita Airport

    We would like to know whether the 14-day JR Pass would work for us? Or should we purchase single ticket train fare? In addition, what other deals should we be looking at.

    Thanks in advance for your help!

    Cheers,
    Sim

  4. Amber says:
    May 30, 2015 at 9:23 am

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Your itinerary is really my savor. I’ll be spending my Xmas & new year in Japan this year.
    My trip will last for 10 days, arrive & depart form Narita. I really need your advice for my plan as it is a bit different from yours since it’s 2 way trip.
    This is the 1st time I travel to Japan & I’m puzzled by the train map 😀
    This is my trip flow:
    Arrive on 25/12/15 Tokyo -> Kyoto -> Osaka -> Tokyo -> Hakone -> Tokyo Narita Depart on 2/1/16
    I’ve read some articles and they say it’s not good to travel to Japan in new year as everywhere is closed and the train is packed.
    So as long as I arrive, I want to go straight to Kyoto

    25/12/15 – Tokyo -> Kyoto. Stay overnight
    27/12/15 – Kyoto -> Osaka. Stay for 1 day
    29/12/15 – Osaka -> Tokyo. Stay for 2 days
    1/1/16 – Tokyo -> Hakone. Stay for 1 day. (for Onsen)
    2/1/16 – Hakone -> Tokyo. Depart from Narita.

    Does this trip flow make sense to you? Is it too rush as I cover too many places?
    Should I buy JR pass?
    Which place is the best one for skiing? (I’m a beginner 🙂 )

    Thank you very much for your advice & hope to hear from you soon!

  5. Kacey says:
    May 20, 2015 at 8:27 am

    Hello Takeshi-San
    Would like to seek your advice on my family trip to Japan in end Oct 2015.
    We are flying to to Tokyo Haneda on 23 Oct and will reach at 4pm. Flying back from osaka kansai on 30 Oct 11pm.

    From reading your very useful website, I gathered that we do not require a Jr pass since we are travelling one way. I’m worried about our luggage following us and am thinking whether we should look for land tours in parts of the trip since we are a group of six and it’s our first time to Japan.

    My plan is currently Tokyo-Mount Fuji-Hakone onsen overnight – kyoto overnight – Osaka (planning to go US Japan).

    May I seek your help to see how I should spread the days? Any advice on land tours or where should I store our luggage during the travel will be so helpful! Thank you so much in advance!

    Cheers
    Kacey

  6. Cristina says:
    May 14, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Hi Takeshi san:

    Thank you for your reply to my previous post. However, our plans have changed a bit. We are now going to:
    May 26- arrival in Osaka. check in hotel near Nankai station
    May 27- Universal Studios Japan
    May 28- Osaka (Osaka Castle spend rest of the day in Osaka
    May 29-travel to Kyoto (can we stop by Nara from Osaka enroute to Kyoto? Is there a place to store 4 medium sized luggage in the station?)
    May 30-31- Kyoto, (half day in Nara if we can’t go enroute)
    June 1-travel to Mt. Fuji Area (maybe stay in Lake Kawaguchiko), tour Fuji/Hakone area
    June 2- half day tour of Fuji Area or a few hours in Gotemba Mall if time permits but not priority, travel to Tokyo
    June 2-6 Tokyo

    Is there a pass that covers these areas? Is there a more direct route from Kytoto to Kayaguchi-ko without having to go to Shinjuko, Tokyo. We would like to see Himeji Castle, which is the best way to include it in the trip or will take us out of the way.

    Thanks a lot. Appreciate it very much.

  7. Lil says:
    April 3, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    hi mr. takeshi. im doing my itinerary for our japan 7 day tour. entry and exit point is osaka. its our first time in japan and i hope you could help me out with my itinerary and also the trains we should catch. would you advise to include tokyo or just areas near osaka, kyoto..
    thank you.

  8. Lea says:
    April 1, 2015 at 7:52 am

    Hi.Takeshi.san
    thanks.for sharing this.useful info. I plan for a Japan trip with my 6yo boy and another friend. The 3 of us will be arriving in Tokyo Narita and exit there Too. we have total 5 nights And would love to visit Kyoto n Osaka. What do you suggest with total 6days 5nights. Should we buy 7days jrp? Thanks for ur help. Lea

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      April 1, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      Hi Lea,

      You can use JR Pass 7 days. It’s cheaper than single fares.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Lea says:
        April 13, 2015 at 2:03 am

        hi takeshi, thank you for ur response. with only 5 nites in japan that we have, once i thought i would love to go by bus from tokyo to osaka and coming back to tokyo on shinkansen – but that’s probably not a good idea. so i will just buy 7days JR pas and i can make use of it to go to osaka and coming back to tokyo on shinkansen and other tickets as well right?

        rgds,

  9. Bob says:
    March 9, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    Dear Takeshi,

    Thank you for your reply. Please help me with further questions below:
    – If we don’t go to Hiroshima, will it still we worthwhile to get the 7 day JRpass?
    – Can still use Fuji Hakone freepass?
    – Does it make sense for use to use ICOCA and Haruka upon late arrival at KIX and then buy the
    Kansai Thru Pass for remaining days in Osaka?

    Thank you very much,
    Bob

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 10, 2015 at 6:46 am

      Hi Bob,

      – If we don’t go to Hiroshima, will it still we worthwhile to get the 7 day JRpass?

      No. Trip to Hiroshima must be included if you want to use JR Pass.

      – Can still use Fuji Hakone freepass?

      Yes. But if you want to use this pass, you have to go to Tokyo before visiting Fuji and Hakone. This pass can be purchased in Shijuku only.

      – Does it make sense for use to use ICOCA and Haruka upon late arrival at KIX and then buy the Kansai Thru Pass for remaining days in Osaka?

      It’s okay. But if you want to use this pass, you have to use it for Koyasan and trip to Kobe/Himeji. Koyasan is okay but JR Kansai area pass is better choice than Kansai thru pass. please see the post below:
      https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Bob says:
    March 6, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Thank you very much for all your advice on this site. Would you kindly take a look at our preliminary itinerary for our first trip to Japan? I was reading one of your sample itinerary and looked like we could potentially even go without a 7day JR pass? Please feel free to move our itinerary around if it makes more sense; actually we might even take a day or 2 off Tokyo… unless we find more day trips to do…

    13-May Osaka 18:30 arrive KIX
    14-May Osaka
    15-May Osaka
    16-May Osaka day trip to Nara <>, then more Osaka – Osaka Castle Park (only if cherry blossom) – Namba Park/Mall
    17-May Osaka day trip to Kobe and Himeji
    18-May Osaka day trip to Mt. Koya
    19-May Osaka to Kyoto – Eastern Kyoto
    20-May Kyoto – Arashiyaman – Sagano – Kyoto
    21-May Kyoto (day trip Hiroshima and Miyajima? Cost?)
    22-May Hakone: Kyoto to Hakone Follow Odakyu Fuji Hakone course
    23-May Hakone
    24-May Tokyo: Hakone to Tokyo
    25-May Tokyo
    26-May Tokyo
    27-May Tokyo
    28-May Tokyo day trip Kawagoe ? (antique market on 28th)
    29-May Tokyo day trip Izu?
    30-May Tokyo day trip Yokohama
    31-May Tokyo day trip Odaiba
    1-Jun Tokyo
    2-Jun Tokyo to HND to depart

    Thank you kindly,
    Bob

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