Hakone in One Day from Tokyo
The classic Hakone loop with the Free Pass: Romancecar out, Open-Air Museum, Owakudani ropeway, the Lake Ashi cruise and a hot spring before the train home.
Last updated 2026-09-03 · 1-day self-guided plan
Hakone
Ropeway, volcano eggs, lake torii, onsen
For anyone with a spare day in Tokyo who wants mountains, Mt Fuji views and a hot spring without an overnight stay.
- 1
Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku
Reserve a seat on a Romancecar leaving Shinjuku around 7:30–8:00; the Hakone Free Pass covers the local trains, buses, ropeway and boat for the loop, and the express seat is a small extra. Buy both at the Odakyu counter the day before if you can.
1.5 HoursCost: Free with the Hakone pass + seat fee - 2
Hakone Open-Air Museum
Change at Hakone-Yumoto to the little mountain railway and get off at Chokoku-no-Mori around 10:00. Sculptures sit across a hillside lawn, there is a Picasso pavilion and a free foot bath; the museum café does a decent early lunch.
1.5 HoursCost: ¥1,800–2,200 
3Owakudani by ropeway
Cable car up to Sounzan, then the ropeway swings over the steaming sulphur valley of Owakudani around 12:30; Mt Fuji appears on the left on clear days. Eat a black egg boiled in the springs, then ride on down to Togendai on the lake. The ropeway pauses when volcanic gas is high, so check the notice board.
1 HourCost: Included in pass
4Lake Ashi cruise
Board the pirate-styled sightseeing ship at Togendai around 14:00 for the crossing to Moto-Hakone. The Fuji view is from the stern on the way south; on a windy day the upper deck is cold even in summer.
45 MinutesCost: Included in pass
5Hakone Shrine & Yumoto onsen
Walk ten minutes along the shore to the red torii standing in the water and the cedar-lined steps to Hakone Shrine; the queue for the torii photo moves fast. Bus back to Hakone-Yumoto, soak in a day-use onsen near the station, and catch a Romancecar home around 19:00.
2 HoursCost: ¥1,000–2,000 (day bath)
Day 1 Estimated Cost
- Hakone Free Pass + express seat¥7,000–8,500
- Food & drinks¥3,000–5,000
- Admissions & onsen¥3,000–4,000
Tips
Do the loop counter-clockwise on weekends: railway first, boat last, to stay ahead of the tour buses coming from the lake side.
Layers, not fashion: Owakudani sits at 1,000 m and is often ten degrees colder than Tokyo.
Lunch options thin out after the museum; carry snacks for the ropeway and eat properly in Yumoto.
Fuji shows itself most often before 11:00; if it is clear at Owakudani, take the photo then rather than waiting for the lake.