A Classic Day Trip To Hakone from Tokyo

Summary

Join Raina Ong on a scenic day trip to Hakone, a picturesque town known for its nature, hot springs, and views of Mount Fuji. Starting from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, Raina explores Hakone using the convenient Hakone Freepass, visiting highlights such as the historic Amazake Chaya tea house, the preserved Tokaido trail, and the iconic Hakone-jinja Shrine. Enjoy a pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi, witness volcanic activity at Owakudani, and immerse in art at the Hakone Open Air Museum. End the day with a relaxing hot spring bath at Hakone Yuryo, making for a memorable and rejuvenating adventure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hakone is a scenic town located approximately 80 minutes west of Tokyo, known for its nature, hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, and museums.
• 🚆 Travel to Hakone from Tokyo is easy, with a direct train connection from Shinjuku Station using the Odakyu Romancecar.
• 🎫 The Hakone Freepass offers unlimited travel on Odakyu-affiliated transportation within Hakone for 2-3 days, making it a convenient option for tourists.
• 📱 The Hakone Freepass can be purchased digitally on your smartphone for quick and easy access, allowing you to simply show your digital pass at ticket gates.
• 🍵 One stop is Amazake Chaya, a traditional tea house where you can enjoy amazake, a sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented rice.
• 🚶‍♀️ A walk along the preserved old Tokaido, Japan’s most important feudal highway, offers historical insight and scenic views, ending at the lakeside town of Moto-Hakone.
• ⛩ Hakone-jinja Shrine, nestled in a forest with a famous torii gate in the water, provides a peaceful atmosphere and spiritual experience.
• 🚢 A sightseeing cruise on a pirate ship across Lake Ashi is a fun and scenic way to travel, offering views of Mount Fuji when the weather is clear.
• 🏔 Owakudani, a volcanically active area near Mount Hakone, is a must-visit, where you can see boiling pools, smoking vents, and even try the famous black eggs said to extend life by seven years.
• 🎨 The Hakone Open Air Museum offers a unique outdoor art experience, combining nature and art with sculptures, installations, and paintings throughout its spacious grounds.
• ♨️ Relaxing in a hot spring bath at Hakone Yuryo is the perfect way to end your day in Hakone before heading back to Tokyo.
• 🛍 Before returning to Tokyo, don't forget to explore the shopping street near Hakone-Yumoto Station for local souvenirs.

Q & A

What is Hakone known for?

Hakone is known for its abundant nature, views of Mount Fuji, hot springs, and museums.

How can you travel to Hakone from central Tokyo?

You can travel to Hakone easily from central Tokyo by taking the Odakyu Romancecar train to Hakone-Yumoto Station.

What is the Hakone Freepass, and how is it useful?

The Hakone Freepass is a discount pass that allows unlimited travel on Odakyu-affiliated transportation in the Hakone area for 2 or 3 consecutive days. It can be used for a round trip from stations like Shinjuku in Tokyo.

How do you purchase the Hakone Freepass?

The Hakone Freepass can be purchased at ticket counters, ticket machines, or digitally via the Odakyu website, where you can buy it with a credit card and show the digital ticket on your smartphone at the gate.

What is Amazake, and where can you try it in Hakone?

Amazake is a sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented rice. It is served hot or cold and is available at the Amazake Chaya, a traditional tea house in Hakone.

What historical significance does the old Tokaido path have?

The old Tokaido was Japan's most important highway during the feudal times, connecting Tokyo (Edo) with Kyoto along the Pacific Coast. Hakone was one of the two checkpoints on this road.

What can you see in Moto-Hakone?

In Moto-Hakone, you can enjoy stunning views of Mount Fuji when the weather is clear, and visit the famous red torii gate that stands in the water.

What is special about Hakone-jinja Shrine?

Hakone-jinja Shrine is a peaceful, atmospheric shrine surrounded by tall trees, with an iconic torii gate in the water. The shrine is located in a serene forested area, making it a spiritual and calming destination.

How is the pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi a unique experience?

The pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi is a scenic and entertaining way to travel from one end of the lake to the other. It’s a fun ride that offers picturesque views of the lake and Mount Fuji on clear days.

What is Owakudani, and what can visitors do there?

Owakudani is a volcanically active area on the slopes of Mount Hakone, offering volcanic scenery, smoking vents, and boiling pools. Visitors can also try black eggs, a local specialty believed to extend life by seven years.