Most people think of visiting Tokyo or Kyoto when they plan a trip to Japan. Hakone isn’t generally on the top of people’s lists, but it should be.
The mountainside town is just a short hour and a half train ride away from Tokyo. You can catch the train from the Shinjuku station. The train is called the “Romance Car” and its an express train to Hakone – if you have the JR Railpass, this train is not a part of it. Instead, you can catch the train to Odawara Station and take the bus or subway from here to Hakone.
If you’re going to be in Hakone for a few days, you should purchase the Hakone Freepass. The pass costs 5,140 yen for two days (including roundtrip from Shinjuku station in Tokyo) or 5,640 yen for three days. If you would prefer to buy it when you get to Hakone, it’ll cost 4,000 yen or 4,500 yen (respectively).
So, why should you go to Hakone?
You can stay at a traditional Ryokan
We stayed at Mount View Hakone and it was an exceptional experience. We sprung for the full board (which basically means you eat dinner and breakfast there) and we also decided to book a private onsen experience. There is also a public onsen on the property if you’re comfortable.
The food was incredible. For dinner we had a full spread of soup, sashimi, tempura, vegetables, and so much more. We enjoyed some Saki and some Machta green tea. Breakfast was a bit hard for me, because I’m not really into eating fish in the morning, but the food was still very delicious. We dressed in our Yukatas (summer kimonos) and our slippers and enjoyed learning more about traditional Japanese culture.
You can maybe catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji
I can’t speak to this because the weather was absolutely horrendous during our day and a half in Hakone, but apparently you can catch a really amazing view of Mt. Fuji from many of the viewpoints in this area. If you’ve ever been there and were able to see it, please let me know what it was like!
I’d love to go back and maybe have a local help me figure out what the best viewpoints for Mt. Fuji are (#TravelColorfully readers receive 5% off services)!
You can see the most beautiful, magical Shrine…ever
Sure, the weather was so bad, but it doesn’t matter. What completely made up for it was being able to see Hakone Shrine. The red against the green forrest was so beautiful. It felt like I was walking in a fairytale and the rain ensured that the shrine wasn’t swamped with crowds.
Cable Cars, Ropeways, Boats, and Buses
Your Hakone free pass gives you unlimited access to the full Hakone “loop.” You can explore the area in two days (I wouldn’t rush to complete the loop if you don’t have to). Take the boat to the shrine, take the cable car to see an active volcano. Basically just spend your time exploring!
Headed to Japan soon? Read about my time in Tokyo.
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