Two Days in Hakone : How to Spend 48 Hours in Japan’s Mountainous Region
The mountainous landscape of Hakone is home to some amazing scenery and attractions. Most famous as being an Onsen (Hot Spring) resort area, for its nature, and an abundance of Museums, you can have a well balanced stay of relaxation, culture and being active. Two days is a perfect amount of time to spend in Hakone, do some exploring and see most of what Hakone can offer. To help you navigate the tricky question of how you should spend your short time wisely in Hakone, we have an itinerary suitable for a 48 hour stay. We hope this page will give you the inspiration you need! Many of the places we have included in this itinerary will offer great views of Mount Fuji on clear and fair weather days, but if you want more information on where to see Mount Fuji in Hakone check out our ’Where to See Mount Fuji in Hakone’ page. On this page you will find the following information :
— How to Spend 48 Hours in Hakone
— 20 Best Things to Do Around Hakone
— Where to Stay When Visiting Hakone
— Book With Us! Nagano’s No.1 Tour & Charter Operator
WHERE IS HAKONE?
Hakone is a popular ‘onsen’ (hot spring) area lying around 90km to the south-west of Tokyo. Known for its wide range of accommodation options – including lots of traditional guesthouses with their own hot springs – along with plenty of great restaurants, museums, galleries and other attractions, Hakone attracts lots of visitors given its close proximity to the capital. Part of the larger area of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, visitors to the area can often enjoy some of the best views of Mount Fuji to the west with the months of October and November being a particularly popular time of year given Hakone’s beautiful autumn colours. For information on how to get there, see our ‘How To Get To Hakone’ page.
HOW TO SPEND 48 HOURS IN HAKONE
Hakone is a luscious and tranquil escape from the bustling city of Tokyo with so much to see and do. Having only 48 hours here may feel daunting and leave you unsure on where is best to get the most out of your time. However, we have crafted an itinerary for the perfect two days in Hakone! It is also worth noting that travellers to Hakone can purchase the two day ‘Hakone Freepass’. This pass enables you to have a round trip on the Odakyu Line train to Hakone from Shinjuku station (this only covers the basic fee, and an additional ticket is needed for the limited express ’Romancecar’ services), unlimited access and use of all local transport in Hakone including the Tozan railway and cable car, Ropeway, and Lake Ashinoko boat cruise. You will also receive discounts at over 70 tourist attractions. Check out the official Hakone website for more details. Now read on to see our suggestions for your two day trip!
DAY 1 – Nature and Relaxation
Morning :
After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto station, we highly recommend stopping for a coffee break in one of the many excellent foot bath cafes Hakone has to offer. Our top pick is Naraya Cafe nestled in the gorgeous mountains and built within an old traditional Ryokan. Here you can enjoy a good selection of coffees, teas, matcha and food as you soak your feet in the foot baths. You can get the train from Hakone-Yumoto station to Miyanoshita station using the Hakone Tozan Line. The journey will take approximately 28 minutes.
After the cafe, we suggest exploring the Hakone Open Air Museum! You can easily reach the museum by taking the Tozan line from Miyanoshita station to Chokoku-no-mori station for approximately 9 minutes, and then walk for 4 minutes to reach your destination. This is a unique museum which displays a wide variety of modern and contemporary art and sculptures, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful outdoors. There is also a great indoor Picasso exhibit to enjoy.
Afternoon :
After the Museum take the train from Chokoku-no-mori station, and then the cable car from Gora station to Sounzan station. The whole journey will take approximately 25 minutes. On this journey you can enjoy the stunning scenery and landscape of Hakone’s mountains.
From Sounzan, you can hop on the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani! We recommend taking your lunch at the great restaurant at Owakudani for one of their famous and delicious curries! After lunch, explore the vast and impressive area of this volcanic valley, where you can take great photos, visit the geothermal museum and their amazing gift shop selling a lot of local specialities!
From Owakudani, board the Hakone Ropeway again and make your way down to Togendai station. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes. From Togendai, you can board the famous Hakone Pirate Ship boat cruise to take a one way journey across the lake! It is a peaceful and tranquil journey where you can enjoy amazing views from either the comfort if your seat, or from outside on the upper deck! The ship also has a small bar serving a variety of drinks and snacks. If you’re lucky, you may even see Mount Fuji! The ride will take approximately 40 minutes.
The Pirate ship boat cruise final stop is Motohakone. Disembark here and take in the amazing views of the lake from a different perspective. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and a 7/11 Conbini here if you want to buy any refreshments. From the port, make the short walk of 10 minutes to go and see the beautiful Hakone Shrine. A stunning Shinto Shrine known for its red Torii gate which looks out over Lake Ashi.
Evening and Night :
For your evening and night in Hakone, we highly recommend booking a stay at a traditional ryokan or one of the many luxurious hotels in the area. Many if not all of them here will have onsen (hot springs) that guests can enjoy. Whether you have a private onsen in your room or you are using a public onsen, it is an absolute must do whilst staying in Hakone. Fuelled by the natural and geothermic powers of the volcanic energy, bathing in onsen in Hakone makes for a very special and relaxing experience. You can also enjoy a delicious and high quality meal at your ryokan and hotel such as a traditional ’Kaiseki’ dinner, making the experience convenient, comfortable and luxurious.
DAY 2 – Culture and Heritage
Morning :
Start your second day in Hakone by travelling back in time! For your first stop, head to the Hakone Checkpoint and its Museum. This checkpoint was built along the Tokaido Road. An important road used by travellers that stretched from Kyoto all the way to Tokyo. The Hakone checkpoint was a key security point along this road during the Edo period (1603 -1868). Here, you can explore historical buildings and learn about the role Hakone played during this important time in Japan.
After gaining context and an understanding of how important the Tokaido road once was, why not hike/walk a small part of it! There is a short walk visitors can enjoy along the ancient and original cobblestone path located not far from the checkpoint. It offers a beautifully scenic and historical glimpse into how people used to travel many centuries ago.
Afternoon :
For your afternoon, head to the Ashinoko Narukawa Art Gallery for some culture and relaxation. The museum is home to an impressive collection of traditional and contemporary Japanese art. From paintings to photography, masks to sculpture, it has something for everybody. However, the gallery is also home to a fantastic restaurant and cafe serving both Japanese and Western inspired foods so we recommend taking your lunch break here. You can even enjoy a traditional matcha and Japanese sweet set, or even a Fuji beer! All of this can be enjoyed in their bright and open lounge which offers panoramic views of Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Shrine and on clear days, Mount Fuji!
Once you have rested, hop on the Hakone sightseeing bus to the Venetian Glass Museum to experience the first museum dedicated to Venetian glass in Japan. The Narukawa Art Museum is just across the road from Motohakone bus stop, so it’s very easy to find and board the sightseeing bus. The journey from Motohakone will take approximately 25 – 30 minutes depending on how busy the bus is. Here you can enjoy the whimsical and almost fairytale like architecture, the stunning gardens and of course the beautiful glass collection. The museum’s garden has some incredibly pretty and ornate glass sculptures. Visitors can also book a glass blowing and engraving workshop here, so if you would like to do that make sure to either book ahead of time or enquire with the Museum staff.
Evening and Night :
From the Venetian Glass Museum, you can hop back on the Hakone Sightseeing bus back to Hakone-Yumoto station to get your train to your next destination in Japan! The journey will take approximately 30 – 35 minutes depending on how busy the bus is. We hope this two day itinerary has provided you with the inspiration and excitement to plan your Hakone stay.
20 BEST THINGS TO DO AROUND HAKONE
Readily accessible from Tokyo using the trains, Hakone offers visitors lots of reasons to visit. Most famously, Hakone is known of its numerous guesthouses including many ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), many of which have their own hot springs and offer international visitors the chance to enjoy the total comfort and relaxation of Japanese service. A popular getaway destination for Tokyoites, Hakone is home to many excellent galleries, museums, onsen, restaurants and of course, known for its outstanding views of Mount Fuji. Check out our ‘20 Best Things to do in and Around Hakone’ page for inspiration and information for planning your Hakone trip!
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING HAKONE
When booking your accommodation in Hakone, it’s important to do your research and choose a hotel or guesthouse in an area that suits your needs. Most international visitors will travel to and from Hakone by train, making the area around Hakone-Yumoto Station a convenient and popular choice with a good range of accommodation options. Outside the central town, Gora is another popular accommodation area accessible by car or using the Hakone Tozan Railway. Nearby Sengokuhara has a good range of hotels and restaurants however is harder to reach using public transport while the hotels of Ashinoko are distant from the main accommodation and dining areas. Our ‘Best Places to Stay in Hakone’ page has lots of information to help you choose the right for you including accommodation listings.
HOW TO GET TO HAKONE
Hakone-Yumoto Station is the gateway to the Hakone area and readily accessible using trains services from Tokyo and beyond. For information on how to get there, see our ‘How to Get to Hakone’ page.
BOOK WITH US! NAGANO’S NO.1 TOUR & CHARTER OPERATOR
Japan offers many, many reasons to visit. Operating all year round, we are Nagano’s No.1-rated tour and charter operator, offering a range of services including group tours, private tours and charters. We can arrange transport including a private vehicle and driver, to transport you to, from and between any destination in our service areas in Japan. If you want to plan a trip to travel to Hakone from Tokyo or Nagano, simply contact us to enquire about our charter services.
Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule.
We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Japan and help you discover even more!
Why choose us?
Awarded a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Nagano and Japan.
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