The Perfect Tokyo Day Trip: Your Best Friend’s Guide to Conquering Hakone
So, you’ve done Tokyo. You’ve braved the Shibuya Scramble, you’ve mastered the trains, and you’re ready for a breath of fresh air.
You need to go to Hakone (箱根).
Hakone is Tokyo’s ultimate backyard escape. It’s a mountain resort town famous for three things: stunning Mt. Fuji views, relaxing onsen (hot springs), and a beautiful lake with a pirate ship (yes, really).
The problem? Getting there and getting around Hakone can be wildly confusing. There are trains, cable cars, ropeways, buses, and that pirate ship.
As your friend, I’m here to give you the one “magic key” that makes it all simple.
The “Magic Key”: Just Buy the Hakone Free Pass
This is the most important advice I can give you. Do not try to buy individual tickets. You will go crazy.
- What it is: A 2-day or 3-day pass (don’t worry, it’s still worth it even for a 1-day trip) that gives you:
- A round trip from Shinjuku Station to Hakone on the “slow” train (Odakyu Line).
- UNLIMITED RIDES on all the main transport inside Hakone: the mountain train, the cable car, the ropeway, the pirate ship, and the local buses.
- Is it really worth it for a day trip? YES. 100%. The round-trip on all the Hakone transport alone costs more than the pass. Buying the pass saves you money and, more importantly, saves you the hassle of buying 5 different tickets.
- Where to buy: At the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center in Shinjuku Station.
Friend’s Pro-Tip (The Romancecar): When you buy your Free Pass, pay a little extra (about 1,200 JPY) for a one-way “Limited Express Romancecar” ticket. It’s a super comfortable, futuristic train with huge windows that gets you from Shinjuku to Hakone in 75 mins (vs. 2 hours on the “slow” train). Take it there to maximize your day, and take the cheaper “slow” train back when you’re tired.
Your Perfect 1-Day Hakone “Loop” Itinerary
The best way to see Hakone is to do “The Loop.” The Free Pass covers all of this. Start early (be on a train from Shinjuku by 8 AM at the latest).
Step 1: Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto Station
- Take your (Romancecar) train here. This is the “gateway” town.
Step 2: Hakone-Yumoto → Gora (Hakone Tozan Train)
- Don’t stay in Yumoto. Immediately hop on the charming, old-fashioned “Hakone Tozan Train.” This little red train climbs the mountain, zig-zagging up steep inclines.
Step 3: Gora → Sounzan (Hakone Tozan Cable Car)
- At Gora, switch to the “Cable Car” (more like a steep funicular) that pulls you straight up the mountain.
Step 4: Sounzan → Togendai (The Ropeway… with Mt. Fuji Views!)
- This is the main event! Switch to the “Hakone Ropeway” (a gondola). As you go over the crest of the mountain, you’ll (hopefully) be greeted with a breathtaking, in-your-face view of Mt. Fuji.
- You’ll also sail directly over Owakudani, a volcanic valley spewing bright yellow sulfur. It smells like eggs, but it’s an incredible sight.
Step 5: Togendai → Hakonemachi-ko (The Pirate Ship!)
- At the end of the ropeway, you’ll be at Lake Ashi. And yes, your next ride is a giant pirate ship. It’s kitschy, it’s hilarious, and the views from the water (of the red shrine gate and Mt. Fuji) are spectacular.
Step 6: The Shrine & Onsen (Your Relaxing Reward)
- Get off the ship at Hakonemachi-ko. Walk a few minutes to the Hakone Shrine, famous for the “Torii of Peace” that stands in the water.
- NOW you relax. Find a local Onsen (hot spring) for a 1-hour soak. Many (like Tenzan or Yuryo) offer day-passes for non-hotel guests. This is the perfect way to end the loop.
Step 7: Back to Shinjuku
- From the lake area, catch the “Tozan Bus” (also covered by your pass) back to Hakone-Yumoto Station, where you’ll catch your train back to Shinjuku.
You Did It.
It sounds like a lot, but it’s a perfectly designed loop. It’s an adventure that combines nature, culture, and a little bit of silliness (hello, pirate ship).
It’s the single best day trip you can take from Tokyo.
Feeling inspired? This is what we’re all about—turning a “confusing” day into the highlight of your trip. If you love this kind of curated adventure, you’ll love the tours we run right back in the city.
