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

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

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

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. Michelle says:
    October 9, 2015 at 12:25 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    If i want to use the Mt Fuji Round Trip Pass for 3 days 2 night trip, It’s ok like the below itinerary:- (Yen 1,750 + Yen 5,600)

    1st day-Single ticket/bus from Shinjuku- Fujiyoshida (Yen 1750)
    2nd day-use the round trip pass to 5th station & sightseeing
    3rd day-fujiyoshida-Shinjuku

    Thank you,
    michelle

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 9, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      Hi Michelle,

      I have never tried to use by this way. But you may not start using at Fuji-Yoshida because it’s not JR station. You can start using it on day 1 at Shinjuku and take a bus to Shinjuku in day 3 by additional fare. This way is safer.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. CK says:
    October 7, 2015 at 7:34 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    It’s interesting to read the previous comments and your helpful advice. My friends and I are planning to go Japan 4 to 11 Nov with the following itinerary in mind:
    1. 4 Nov – Arrive Osaka Kansai airport & stay 2 nights in Osaka
    2. 6 Nov – Depart for Kyoto to stay 2 nights
    3. 8 Nov – Depart for Hakone to stay 2 nights
    4. 10 Nov – Depart for Tokyo to stay 1 night
    5. 11 Nov – Depart Japan from Narita Airport
    Would appreciate your advice on the most economical transportation for the above itinerary. I intend to get the Hakone pass. Do I need to get JR pass as I understand that this needs to be purchased outside of Japan?
    Thank you.

    Regards,
    CK

  3. Linda says:
    October 6, 2015 at 7:43 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Do you advise me to take the JR pass (7 or 14 days) instead of buying single tickets? See my plan below from November 1st to November 15th:

    Day 1: Arrival Osaka
    Day 2: Osaka
    Day 3: Nara
    Day 4 : Nara
    Day 5 Kyoto
    Day 6: Kyoto
    Day 7:Kyoto
    Day 8: Kiso Valley (Nagoya/Magome / Tsumago)
    Day 9: Kiso Valley (Yabuhara/ Narai/ Matsumoto)
    Day 10- 14: Tokyo

    Thank you very much,

    Linda

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 6, 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Hi Linda,

      If you stay in Kiso Valley, even 7 days pass is too expensive for your trip. If you access there from Nagoya or other places as day trip, 7 days pass may be suitable.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Cassey says:
    September 26, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    thank you very much for your suggestion, Takeshi

  5. Bryan Leung
    Bryan says:
    September 24, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Thank you for your advice on an earlier post. The middle part of my trip is as follows:

    Day 9: Osaka > Fujikawaguchiko (visit Chureito Pagoda). Stay at Fujikawaguciko.
    Day 10: Fujikawaguchiko > Hakone (Open Air Museum, Lake Ashi, Moto Hakone, Hakone Shrine). Stay at Hakone.
    Day 11: Hakone > Yokohama > Tokyo. Stay in Tokyo
    Day 12 – Day 18: Tokyo

    I concluded JR Pass won’t really work because there’s only 1 shinkansen trip, leaving Osaka.

    1. If I can buy the Fuji Hakone Pass prior to beginning this trip, would you still suggest I go Osaka > Shinjuku > Fujikawaguchiko, or should I go Osaka > Mishima > Fujikawaguchiko ?

    2. Because my hotel stay is already booked (Day 9 stay in Fujikawaguchiko, Day 10 in Hakone), I want to make sure my trip planning is the most economical. If I do the Hakone sightseeing (Lake Ashi, Moto Hakone, Hakone Shrine) on Day 10, will I have enough time on the same day to visit Lake Yamanaka? Gotemba Premium Outlet? Or would you suggest I do Gotemba Outlet only on Day 9? I want to make sure I have enough time on Day 9 to visit the Chureito Pagoda. Day 11, I have plan to rent sports car in the morning (http://fun2drive.co.jp/) so I will not have time to do any sightseeing in Hakone. I will go direct to Yokohama for half day after driving in the morning.

    3. Riding on Fujikyu 路線バス・高速バス does it require reservation?

    4. From Hakone > Yokohama, is this the best deal? (https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/35.2770874,139.0029377/Yokohama+Station,+Kanagawa+Prefecture,+Japan/@35.4229042,139.4716455,9.21z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x60185c13b12f4eed:0x620a74beb7183184!2m2!1d139.6219444!2d35.4663415!5i2?hl=en). After Yokohama, I will be staying in Tokyo for 6 more days.

    Thank you for your advice!
    Bryan

  6. Cassy says:
    September 23, 2015 at 9:14 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Me and my friends will be travelling to Japan for 14 days. We are landing at the Narita airport and from there we are going to Tokyo and then to Kyoto, then Osaka and then back to Tokyo to depart. We plan on going to Nara, Hiroshima, Nikko for day trips. Base on that plan, do you think it’s necessary to buy the 14 day jr pass? We haven’t really finalize our plans yet but that’s the jist.

    Thanks

  7. Michelle says:
    September 23, 2015 at 8:17 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Kindly advise me further to my previous post for my trip :-

    1) Hokuriku Area Pass for Day 1-Day 5 (Osaka-Kyoto-Kanazawa-Shirakawa-go-Takayama-Nagoya)-Tokyo? How to connect Nagoya-Tokyo….

    2) Fuji Hakone Pass is Day 5-Day 7 (Shinjuku-Kawaguchi-ko-Hakone-Tokyo)

    3) Local 2/3 days pass-Tokyo area (can use go to Yokoyama?)

    How much estimate for total amount cost for my trip?

    Thank you…michelle

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 23, 2015 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Michelle,

      Only single fare is your choice from Nagoya to Tokyo. You can find the cost at Hyperdia:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html

      For exploring Tokyo, you can use subway pass as you need. But Yokohama is not covered by subway pass. You have to add single fare to get Yokohama.

      Sorry but I don’t calculate the cost for any readers. If I do it, I have to give same offer to any readers. But it’s too much for me actually.
      You can find the price of passes and find single fare at the link above.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Michelle says:
        September 23, 2015 at 6:26 pm

        Thanks Takeshi san,

        Just check with you about the round trip Fuji Pass, if i not go to hakone, i can use this pass instead of Fuji Hakone Pass? for the both pass it will cover all the local bus or train let said i stay at Fujisan station area..it take 2 station to Kawaguchi-ko station. (Yen7,000 vs Yen 5,400?)

        The round trip pass it use for Otsuki to Shinjuku by train and for the Hakone Fuji Pass from Hakone to Shinjuku by the romancercar train we need to paid the surcharge Yen890?

        I feel my plan is too much times on the road…how to make more relax and simple…
        Refer to my trip, if i not go nagoya, which is the simple way from Takayama to Mt Fuji… (if others any extra charge beside Hokuriku Pass)

        25/3/16-Day 1-Arrive Osaka
        26/3/16-Day 2-Osaka-Kyoto(Kiyomizudera)-Kanagawa?-Shirakawago?
        27/3/16-Day 3-Kanagawa?-Takayama
        28/3/16-Day 4-Takayama-Nagoya
        29/3/16-Day 5-Nagoya-Mt Fuji(Kawaguchiko)
        30/3/16-Day 6-Mt Fuji (5th station)
        31/3/16-Day 7-Mt Fuji-Hakone-Tokyo
        01/4/16-Day 8-Tokyo
        02/4/16-Day 9-Tokyo
        03/4/16-Day 10-Dep Narita

        Thank you
        michelle

  8. Kacey says:
    September 22, 2015 at 2:02 am

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Thank you for your kind advice on my previous enquiry. We have made some changes to our original itinerary, would appreciate some advice on the type of pass we should use for each stage. Really appreciate your help!

    Day 1 : arrive Haneda 4pm > to hotel near Tokyo station (may I know the best way to go? and what kind of pass should we get from Haneda or Tokyo station?)
    Day 2 – 3 : Tour Tokyo
    Day 4: Nikko (JR Kanto pass?)
    Day 5: Mt Fuji (JR Kanto pass?)
    Day 6: Tokyo > Kyoto to spend the day > Osaka
    Day 7: Universal Studios
    Day 8: Osaka > night flight from KIX back to Singapore

    Understand that there’s a PASMO card for Japan metro, is this card enough?

    Thank you so much!
    Kacey
    Thank you so much!

  9. Jialing says:
    September 15, 2015 at 8:27 am

    Hello Takeshi-san,
    We are planning for trip on 8-17 Apr 2016 (10 Day 9 Night) Flight Arrival and Returning both thru Osaka Kansai airport.

    Now I am not sure whether to go with Plan A or B to save transportation cost. Seek your advise which ticket is required during the trip and economical to purchase.
    Thank you very much. Really appreciate your time and input.

    PLAN A
    Day 1 Kansai – Kyoto. Arrive Kansai 0800 morning continue train to Kyoto.Visit Philosopher trail, Maruyama park, Kiyodemizura, Higashiyama
    Day 2 Kyoto – Visit Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama
    Day 3 Kyoto – Tokyo by bullet train Nozomi. Stay in Tokyo Asakusa area
    Day 4 Tokyo – Visit Western Tokyo area
    Day 5 Tokyo – Mt. Fuji 1 Day tour – Tokyo
    Day 6 Tokyo – Visit Central Tokyo
    Day 7 Tokyo – Visit Western Tokyo – Take overnight bus to Osaka
    Day 8 Osaka
    Day 9 Osaka
    Day 10 Osaka – Kansai Flight 1655PM afternoon

    PLAN B
    Day 1 Kansai – Osaka. Arrive Kansai 0800 morning continue train to Osaka.
    Day 2 Osaka
    Day 3 Osaka – Kyoto.Visit Philosopher trail, Maruyama park, Kiyodemizura, Higashiyama
    Day 4 Kyoto – Visit Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama
    Day 5 Kyoto – Tokyo by bullet train Nozomi. Stay in Tokyo Asakusa area
    Day 6 Tokyo – Visit Western Tokyo area
    Day 7 Tokyo – Mt. Fuji 1 Day tour – Tokyo
    Day 8 Tokyo – Visit Central Tokyo
    Day 9 Tokyo – Visit Western Tokyo – Take overnight bus to Osaka
    Day 10 Osaka – Kansai Flight 1655PM afternoon

  10. Michelle says:
    September 13, 2015 at 10:50 pm

    10 DAYS ARRIVE OSAKA-KYOTO-NAGOYA-TAKAYAMA-MT FUJI-TOKYO AND DEPARTURE NARITA

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Kindly advise me how to plan for use cheaper pass or cover the first 7 days by JR pass or others better choices. (specially the Mt. fuji trip)

    Thank you.

    michelle

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 13, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      Hi Michelle,

      JR Pass does not work. If you can complete Osaka, Kyoto, Takayama in the first 5 days, you can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html

      But you have to take the route via Kanazawa. You cannot go to Nagoya before going Takayama. You can drop by Nagoya after Takayama. It’s a detour but Kanazawa is worth visiting.

      Single ticket is your choice from Nagoya to Odawara or Tokyo. There are many choices to get Fuji. If you want to visit both Hakone and Fuji, Fuji Hakone pass is the best choice. You have to get Tokyo first because you cannot purchase this pass other than Shinjuku. But if you are okay with just visiting Hakone, you can drop by there on the way to Tokyo.
      https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Michelle says:
        September 19, 2015 at 8:56 am

        Thanks Takeshi san,

        Refer to your reply and advises for my trip will be arr Osaka on 25/3/16 and dep Narita on 3/4/16.

        Kindly advise me in more details for the passes and charges my plan as below:-

        25/3/16-Day 1-Arrive Osaka
        26/3/16-Day 2-Osaka-Kyoto(Kiyomizudera)-Kanagawa?-Shirakawago?
        27/3/16-Day 3-Kanagawa?-Takayama
        28/3/16-Day 4-Takayama-Nagoya
        29/3/16-Day 5-Nagoya-Mt Fuji(Kawaguchiko)
        30/3/16-Day 6-Mt Fuji (5th station)
        31/3/16-Day 7-Mt Fuji-Hakone-Tokyo
        01/4/16-Day 8-Tokyo
        02/4/16-Day 9-Tokyo
        03/4/16-Day 10-Dep Narita

        Thank you very much…Michelle

        • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
          Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          September 19, 2015 at 11:22 am

          Hi Michelle san,

          I don’t think you can reach Shirakawago on day 2. Because you will spend a few hours to see Kyomizudera. I recommend you to spend half day in Kyoto because Kyoto is very attractive. You can reach Kanazawa (not KanaGAwa) in 2.5 hours from Kyoto. You can stay in Kyoto until dusk. On next day, you can drop by Shirakawago one the way to Takayama. If you really want to see Nagoya, you can stay. But you can drop by Nagoya and move to Tokyo on day 5. If you go to Tokyo first, you can reach Kawaguchiko much easier. And you may leave most of your luggage at Shinjuku station and go to Fuji / Hakone with small pack. There are luggage storage at Odakyu Railway Shinjuku station. When you purchase Fuji Hakone pass, you may leave it.
          http://www.odakyu.jp/english/

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Michelle Chow says:
            September 21, 2015 at 1:26 am

            Hi Takeshi san,

            Thanks for your advises, refer to the below itinerary,
            beside the Hokuriku Area pass for first 5 days and Fuji Hakone pass for 3 days 2 nights – shinjuku-Kawaguchiko-hakone-tokyo (any other charges for these mt fuji trip) and 3 days tokyo can buy the local pass for 3 days or 2 days how much for the pass…we stay nihonbashi to narita..where to take the bus/train?
            kindly help and tell me the charges for this trip…

            kindly advice me again and thank you very much

            25/3/16-Day 1-Arrive Osaka
            26/3/16-Day 2-Osaka-Kyoto(Kiyomizudera)
            27/3/16-Day 3-Kanazawa-Shirawakago-Takayama
            28/3/16-Day 4-Takayama
            29/3/16-Day 5-Takayama-Nagoya-Kawaguchiko
            30/3/16-Day 6-Mt Fuji (5th station)
            31/3/16-Day 7-Mt Fuji-Hakone-Tokyo
            01/4/16-Day 8-Tokyo
            02/4/16-Day 9-Tokyo
            03/4/16-Day 10-Dep Narita

            michelle

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