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Are you visiting Hakone for the primary time? If that’s the case, this Hakone 2-day itinerary will assist you to to take advantage of your go to!
Hakone, situated only a brief journey from Tokyo, is a panoramic vacation spot identified for its scorching springs, gorgeous landscapes, and wealthy cultural experiences. It’s additionally the proper solution to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo!
Hakone is ideal for those who’re in search of rest, journey, or a mix of each, and we share how one can spend 2 days in Hakone, with insider ideas that can assist you take advantage of your go to!
Planning Your Go to To Hakone
Hakone is a well-liked day journey from Tokyo, and you may actually see lots of the highlights in a single day, but it surely’s a rushed expertise and an enormous day, particularly when visiting Hakone with youngsters.
That’s why we determined to take our time and revel in a few days away from the massive cities of Japan, by spending 2 nights in Hakone. It turned out to be certainly one of our favorite elements of our complete Japan itinerary!
However planning our go to wasn’t the simplest – getting round Hakone is usually a little daunting as their public transport system is kind of distinctive. Additionally, the truth that Hakone isn’t a single city, however as a substitute a number of cities inside Fuji-Hakone-Izu Nationwide Park.
That’s why we advise you get a Hakone Free Go!
The Hakone Free Go
The Hakone Free Go is a must have for anybody visiting Hakone from Tokyo! This particular move, accessible by means of Odakyu Railways, provides nice worth and comfort by masking round-trip transportation from Shinjuku in Tokyo to Hakone, plus limitless rides on numerous modes of transportation inside Hakone itself.
Right here’s why the Hakone Free Go is price contemplating:
- Transportation Protection: The move consists of limitless use of transportation within the Hakone space, masking the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable automobile, ropeway, Lake Ashi pirate ship cruise, and native buses. It’s excellent for the favored Hakone Loop route, which helps you to discover Hakone’s prime sights.
- Versatile Choices: You should buy both a 2-day or 3-day move relying on the size of your keep, so that you’re not locked right into a single schedule. Each passes embrace the journey to and from Shinjuku, making it a hassle-free choice when visiting from Tokyo.
- Reductions on Sights: The move additionally provides reductions at over 70 points of interest, retailers, and scorching spring services, so it can save you on entry charges and experiences.
- Comfort: As an alternative of buying particular person tickets for every mode of transport, you merely present your move, saving each money and time. We love simple when travelling!
Briefly, the Hakone Free Go is designed to make your go to to Hakone smoother and extra reasonably priced, supplying you with the flexibleness to take pleasure in Hakone’s greatest sights with out worrying about particular person tickets or transport prices. We’re so glad we bought these passes!
Buy your Hakone Free Go from Klook
Insider Tip: For a small extra charge, you may improve to the Restricted Specific Romancecar from Shinjuku, which provides a direct, scenic experience to Hakone-Yumoto with reserved seating.
Accommdation In Hakone
Hakone is thought for warm spring onsens and as such, you will see a wide range of funds, mid-range and splendid lodging choices within the space. They do guide out early although, particularly for those who do need to keep someplace with an onsen.
Top-of-the-line areas to remain in Hakone is in Gora, which is situated proper close to a few of the prime points of interest and close to the Hakone Tozan Railway and cable automobile stops at Gora Station.
We stayed at Guesthouse Onsen Hakone Tent, since we left it a bit late to guide and a lot of the different choices on the time have been within the luxurious funds or removed from transport factors.
Hakone Tent is a hostel with conventional model ryokan (Japanese-style inn) – with futon mattresses on the ground. It’s a enjoyable expertise to have whereas in Japan, however actually not my favorite keep. It was additionally a brief stroll to Gora Station, has 2 non-public onsens and a bar and restaurant space.
Discover different Hakone lodging choices right here
Our Household Pleasant 2-Day Hakone Itinerary
That is our 2-day Hakone itinerary, which is kid-friendly, in case you might be visiting Hakone with youngsters throughout your time in Japan! This itinerary isn’t excellent for everybody, however it’s a nice start line for find out how to spend your 2 days.
For reference, it was scorching – actually actually scorching! We visited in September, which turned out to be lower than ultimate, weather-wise. Subsequent time we go to Japan, we’re avoiding Summer time and the months that observe!
Day 1: Tokyo To Hakone
Morning: Journey to Hakone by way of the Restricted Specific Romancecar
Start your journey by choosing up your Hakone Free Go from the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Heart at Shinjuku West Station. We arrived early to offer ourselves as a lot of the day as doable in Hakone.
Improve to the Odakyu Restricted Specific Romancecar when choosing up your passes in Tokyo.
This extra snug prepare experience takes roughly 85 minutes and has reserved seats, making it a nicer journey with lovely views of the encircling countryside. It additionally travels to Hakone-Yumoto Station, as a substitute of simply stopping at Odawara Station,
The Romance Automotive prepare can replenish shortly, particularly on weekends and holidays.
After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora Station
Insider Tip: The Hakone Tozan Prepare travels up the steep mountain. To do that, there are 3 switchbacks alongside the monitor, the place you turn tracks. It is a fast course of however an fascinating little truth on your journey as much as Gora.
Afternoon: Go to Hakone Open-Air Museum
Upon arrival at Gora Station, we dropped off our luggage at our lodging (Guesthouse Onsen Hakone Tent) after which visited the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
This distinctive museum combines gorgeous outside sculptures with lovely pure environment, that includes works by each Japanese and worldwide artists.
There’s a Picasso Pavilion, which showcases a group of his works and supplies fascinating insights into the artist’s life. There’s additionally a kids’s play space with nets and swings. Our youngsters liked it.
The museum has a foot onsen the place you may calm down whereas soaking your ft—with an unbelievable view over the valley. After the gazillion steps we did throughout our Tokyo Disney journey, this was very soothing.
The Hakone Open Air Museum is open each day between 9am and 5pm. There’s additionally a restaurant right here for those who’re in search of some lunch.
Insider Tip: If in case you have a Hakone Free Go, you get discounted entry into Hakone Open Air Museum.
- OPTIONAL ITINERARY: If in case you have further time, contemplate visiting one of many many public scorching spring baths in Hakone within the afternoon.
Night: Dinner at Gora Brewery & Grill
After a day of exploring, take pleasure in dinner at Gora Brewery & Grill, identified for its craft beer brewed on-site and a menu that highlights native flavours. The environment is cozy and welcoming, excellent for unwinding after a busy day.
This was truly among the best meals we had throughout our complete Japan journey. The meals was superb and the grill is about up within the restaurant space so you may watch the cooks work their magic when you dine!
The restaurant is comparatively small, so it may be price reserving forward in case you are visiting through the weekend. And attempt to arrive earlier than the solar units as a result of it’s a phenomenal view over the mountains.
Insider Tip: Pair your meal with a flight of craft beers to pattern completely different brews on supply. Simon did this, after all!
Day 2: The Hakone Loop Journey
Morning: Hakone Loop – Cable Automotive and Ropeway
Begin your second day with a hearty breakfast at your resort or a konbini earlier than getting an early begin on the Hakone Loop. Should you bought a Hakone Free Go, it covers transportation on the loop.
- Take the Hakone Tozan Cable Automotive from Gora to Sounzan Station.
- Switch to the Hakone Ropeway, which provides panoramic views of the encircling mountains and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji.
We lucked out on seeing views of Mt. Fuji as there was a bit an excessive amount of cloud cowl sadly, in any other case, the ropeway experience might be among the best locations to see Mount Fuji on a transparent day.
Insider Tip: Attempt to begin early to beat the crowds and benefit from the scenic views with out feeling rushed. We had brief waits within the morning, however for much longer because the day progressed.
Mid Morning: Black Eggs at Owakudani
Proceed your journey by getting off the ropeway at Owakudani Staton.
Owakadani is volcanic valley identified for its sulpher vents and scorching springs. Right here, you may strive the well-known Kuro-tamago (black eggs), that are boiled within the scorching springs of the energetic volcano and mentioned so as to add seven years to your life if consumed!
The eggs are considerably the theme of Owakadani and you will see picture alternatives and souvenirs galore associated to them. There’s even black ice cream, for those who’re sport!
Fairly a number of folks requested us if they’re like century eggs, however no. Nothing like that in any respect! They’re regular, hard-boiled hen eggs which have black shells. They may be a bit extra pungent than regular, with the scent of sulfer from the volcanic exercise.
You will get 4 eggs for ¥500 inside the shop close to Owakudani Station. They will promote out!
We spent probably the most time at this cease as there’s fairly a bit to see. There are statement areas to see over the volcanic valley, in addition to cafes and eating places and retailers. We discovered some nice souvenirs right here!
There’s additionally the Hakone Geo Museum. It’s solely 100 yen for entry and it’s an fascinating place to study in regards to the Hakone volcano.
Insider Tip: Be sure you additionally strive the black curry bread! This was scrumptious (and was just about our breakfast). You’ll find it on the restaurant inside Owakudani Station.
Afternoon: Lake Ashi Cruise
After Owakudani, head to Togendai by ropeway to Lake Ashi for a scenic cruise. The lake provides gorgeous views of Mt. Fuji on sunny days (once more, we lucked out on that view) and is a soothing method to absorb the pure fantastic thing about Hakone.
The perfect a part of the cruise is that the Hakone Free Go consists of the pirate ship Hakone sightseeing cruise. It’s a enjoyable solution to see the world by water and it’s actually a soothing choice.
We did the complete cruise loop, not getting off at Motohakone-ko. It’s within the Motohakone-ko space which you could stroll to the Hakone Shrine.
This torii gate within the water is without doubt one of the most scenic in Japan and as such, it’s probably the most standard points of interest in Hakone.
You possibly can see it from the Lake Ashi cruise, and even from there, we may see the road for pictures was huge. Being that it was a particularly scorching day, we opted to skip the close-up, largely as a result of the youngsters have been already sporting out per week into our Japan itinerary.
On a cooler day, I undoubtedly would have finished the stroll and explored this space throughout our ‘loop’. As an alternative, we made our method again to Gora, with one other fast cease at Owakudani for souvenirs.
Insider Tip: If you would like a special close-up view of the Hakone Shrine, there are little swan paddle boats you may rent to paddle across the lake and there have been a number of folks paddling over to the shrine. They might have been ruining everybody’s pictures from land, but it surely regarded enjoyable!
Late Afternoon: Go to Gora Park
Conclude your Hakone journey with a go to to Gora Park within the late afternoon. This fantastically landscaped park incorporates a conventional Japanese backyard, seasonal flowers, and even a tea home the place you may take pleasure in matcha tea.
There’s an entry price to go to Gora Park of 550 yen for adults, however with the Hakone Free Go, it was free. We’re grateful too as a result of whereas it was lovely and it might be a beautiful spot to go go to the cafe, it wasn’t overly thrilling in any other case so we didn’t spend a lot time right here.
Should you love gardens and flowers, it’s price visiting!
Non-public Onsen
Within the early night, we had a non-public onsen at our ryokan. They’ve 2 at Hakone Tent though we discovered certainly one of them was so extraordinarily scorching that we switched to the smaller, lower-temperature scorching tub.
As we each have tattoos, we weren’t too fussed about doing the onsen expertise, understanding that the majority public onsens don’t enable it. There are some exceptions inside the Hakone space, however we most popular the thought of a non-public onsen at our lodging anyway.
Dinner At The Resort
One factor price noting is that there’s not plenty of meals choices in Gora, outdoors of the principle points of interest. Throughout the prepare station are a few shops with some meals, however they shut early.
The closest konbini was a Lawson that was round a 10-minute stroll from Gora Station.
Fortunately, dinner at our lodging was fairly good and really handy. We spent a few of the night chatting to a neighborhood and sharing journey tales from her time residing in Sydney for a 12 months.
The Subsequent Day
The subsequent morning, we made our method again to Odawara Station and caught the bullet prepare to Kyoto. We opted for the 3-day Hakone Go, which meant getting again to Odawara on our final morning was included in our move.
We pre-booked our Shinkansen tickets on-line by way of Klook to make our solution to Kyoto.
A 2-day journey to Hakone provides an ideal mix of pure magnificence, cultural experiences, and culinary delights. Hakone is someplace we might gladly go to once more, particularly since there have been some points of interest we didn’t have the prospect to go to whereas there. It might even be divine to go to Hakone when the cherry blossoms are blooming.
If you are able to do the two nights on this lovely area, completely do it! Should you can keep even longer, even higher!
Further Ideas for Your Hakone Journey:
- Gown in Layers: The climate in Hakone can change shortly, particularly within the mountains, so it’s greatest to be ready for various situations.
- Money is King: Whereas some locations settle for bank cards, many native retailers and eating places are cash-only, so you should definitely have yen readily available.
- Plan for Crowds: Hakone is a well-liked vacation spot, notably throughout weekends and holidays. Arrive early at points of interest to keep away from lengthy strains.
- Get the Hakone Free Go: You possibly can learn our full Hakone Free Go evaluate to see if it’s price it on your go to!
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