Hakone Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo

Hakone Day Trip FAQ

Hakone is approximately a 2-hour train ride from central Tokyo and is a famous hot spring town in Japan.

Q. How long should you spend in Hakone?
Due to the limited travel time for most people, this article will focus on a ‘Hakone day trip’. However, for travelers with a higher budget, a 2-day, 1-night stay is a better option.

Q. How to get from Tokyo to Hakone?
The most common way is to take the Odakyu Electric Railway. It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, costing 1,270 yen with one transfer. For a more detailed introduction, refer to Tokyo to Hakone via Train.

Q. What is the Hakone Freepass?
It is a discounted transportation ticket (2 Day Pass for 6,100 yen, 3 Day Pass for 6,500 yen). For more information, see the official website here. For most people, including those on a day trip, it is recommended to purchase the 2 Day Pass. With this pass, you can travel for free between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto (including the aforementioned Odakyu train) and use most transportation within the Hakone area for free.

Q. If I want to stay overnight in Hakone, where is the best place to stay?
Staying near Hakone-Yumoto Station is the most convenient. It is the transportation hub of the Hakone area and has many restaurants and convenience stores. The following two hotels are a 5-minute walk from the station and have private onsens: Hakone Suimeisou, Yumoto Fujiya Hotel

Hakone Day Trip Itinerary

Hakone Day Trip Itinerary

7:30am: Take the Odakyu Electric Railway from “Shinjuku”. After about 2.5 hours , arrive at “Chokokunomori” at 10:00am.
Spend 1.5 hours at the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
11:30am: Depart “Chokokunomori”. After about 46 minutes, arrive at “Owakudani” at 12:17pm.
Spend 40 minutes at Owakudani and have lunch.
1:00pm: Depart “Owakudani”. After about 1 hour 40 minutes (including the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise), arrive at “Motohakone-ko” at 2:40pm.
Spend about 1 hour at Hakone Shrine.
3:50pm: Depart “Motohakone-ko”. After about 32 minutes, arrive at “Hakone-Yumoto” at 4:28pm.
Wait for the free onsen shuttle bus. Arrive at Hakone Yuryo by 5:00pm.
Enjoy the onsen and have a light meal. After 2 hours, take the 7:00pm bus back to “Hakone-Yumoto”.
7:15pm: Take the Odakyu Electric Railway from “Hakone-Yumoto”. After about 2 hours, arrive at “Shinjuku” at 9:03pm.

1. Explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum

Take the Hakone Tozan Train from “Hakone-Yumoto” to “Chokokunomori” (about 34 minutes, 460 yen) After getting off the train, walk for 2 minutes to the art museum.

Hakone Open-Air Museum Overview

Established in 1969, it is the most famous museum in the Hakone area.
The museum primarily features outdoor exhibits, with a collection of approximately 120 outdoor sculptures and 300 indoor sculptures. Don’t miss the Stained Glass Tower, the Picasso Pavilion, and the hot spring footbath. In short, even if you aren’t an art enthusiast, you can still have a great time here.

Hours: 9am - 5pm
Admission: Adults 2,000 yen, High school and University students 1,600 yen, Online ticket purchases receive a 200 yen discount.
Duration: 1 - 2 Hours
Website: https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/en/
Selected Video: A Trip to Hakone Open Air Museum

2. Experience Geothermal Features at Owakudani

Take the Hakone Tozan Train from “Chokokunomori” to “Gora” (about 3 minutes, 160 yen), transfer to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car from “Gora” to “Sōunzan” (about 10 minutes, 430 yen), then transfer to the Hakone Ropeway from “Sōunzan” to “Owakudani” (about 15 minutes, 1,500 yen), and exit the station to enjoy the geothermal sights.

Owakudani Overview

Owakudani is a steaming valley and a landmark attraction in Hakone. It is also a source of hot spring water in the area, the observation deck is right outside the ropeway station.
Admission: Free
Duration: 40 Minutes (including scenic views and eating hot spring eggs/lunch)
Website: https://owakudani.com/ photo by Yusheng Deng

On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji. photo by Kazuki Taira

The local specialty here is hot spring eggs, 500 yen for four.

3. Take the Sightseeing Cruise to Hakone Shrine

Take the Hakone Ropeway from “Owakudani” to “Togendai” (about 30 minutes, 1,500 yen). Transfer to the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise from “Togendai” to “Motohakone-ko” (about 40 minutes, 1,200 yen).

Hakone Shrine Overview

Hakone Shrine is one of the key attractions in Hakone, renowned for its torii gate standing in the water.
Hours: 8.15am - 5pm
Admission: Free
Duration: 30 minutes

As you approach “Motohakone-ko”, you can see the torii gate from the boat, and on clear days, you can also see Mount Fuji.
photo by Steve Sharp | Raphael Lopes

After disembarking, walk along the lake for 15 minutes to reach the shrine. Along the way, there are convenience stores and restaurants. The Hakone Shrine is a traditional Japanese-style shrine, modest in size. After paying your respects, you can queue to take photos at the torii gate standing in the water.
photo by Syuhei Inoue

4. Relax in the Hot Springs at Hakone Yuryo

Take the Hakone Tozan Bus from “Moto-Hakone Port” to “Hakone-Yumoto” (about 32 minutes, 1,080 yen). Upon arrival, wait for and transfer to the free shuttle bus to Hakone Yuryo (runs every 10-15 minutes, 3-minute ride).

Hakone Yuryo Overview

This is a day-use onsen specifically for tourists, offering two options: public baths and private baths.
Hours: Weekdays 10am - 8pm, Weekends 10am - 9pm
Duration: 1 - 2 Hours
Website: https://www.hakoneyuryo.jp/english/
Public Baths
Indoor and outdoor open-air baths are available with no reservation needed; the weekday price is 1,700 yen, the weekend/holiday price is 2,000 yen (200 yen discount with Hakone Freepass), and towels can be brought or purchased on-site for 300 yen.

Private Baths
From 10,000 yen (for 2-4 people, up to 2 hours), Reservation recommended

Optional Attractions

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

The art museum is themed around glass and Italian-style courtyards. However, the venue is quite small, and some visitors may find the admission price too high.

Hours: 10am - 5.30pm
Admission: Adults 1,800 yen, High school and University students 1,300 yen, Online ticket purchases receive a 300 yen discount.
Duration: 30 minutes
Website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp/en/
Transportation: It takes about 24 minutes and costs 840 yen to travel from “Hakone-Yumoto” to “Hakone Venetian Glass Museum” by Hakone Tozan Bus.
Selected Video: The First Art Museum specializing in Venetian glasses in Japan

POLA Museum

The Pola Museum of Art houses approximately 10,000 art pieces collected over more than 40 years by the chairman of the POLA ORBIS Group. The museum focuses on 19th-century French Impressionist paintings and also includes Western-style paintings by Japanese artists, Japanese paintings, Oriental ceramics, glass art, and cosmetic tools. Notable works include Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” and “Haystacks at Giverny.” The main building is located underground and consists of four floors.

Hours: 9am - 5pm
Admission: Adults 2,200 yen, High school and University students 1,700 yen
Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Website: https://www.polamuseum.or.jp/en/
Transportation: It takes about 35 minutes and costs 960 yen to travel from “Hakone-Yumoto” to “Pola Bijutsukan” by Hakone Tozan Bus.
Selected Video: POLA MUSEUM Designed by Nikken Sekkei

Selected Video: Modern Times in Paris 1925

Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields

Visiting in October and November, you can see vast fields of silver grass.

Admission: Free
Duration: 15 - 30 minutes
Transportation: It takes about 28 minutes and costs 980 yen to travel from “Hakone-Yumoto” to “Sengoku-kogen” by Hakone Tozan Bus. It takes about 18 minutes and costs 400 yen to travel from the “Pola Bijutsukan” to “Sengoku-kogen”.
Selected Video: I went to the Sengokuhara pampas grass field …

Thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful journey!
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