Hakone is a good weekend retreat place for Tokyo dwellers. It is about 100 km away and about 90 minutes by train. Besides great view of Mt. Fuji and comforting Lake Ashi, train spotters would love cable car, rope way, pirate ships, and switchback trains!
This tour was for two guest from USA, staying one night in Hakone before going to Kyoto.
Unfortunately, the weather was horrible and could not see anything, and too cold for April. The guests prefer to stay in nice wet place and were guided to Pola museum where had a splendid exhibition on Picasso and Chagall.
Here I would like to share the planned schedule “how one day trip” can be possible using public transportation.
| 8:53 am | Odakyu limited express romance car departs from Shinjuku |
|---|---|
| 10:36 am | arrive Hakone Yumoto station |
| *use carry service to send your luggage to your hotel if you are staying | |
| 11:15 am | Switchiback Tozan Train from Hakone Yumoto to Goura |
| 11:55 am | Cable car from Goura to Souunzan |
| 12:20 am | Rope way from Souunzan to Oowakutani |
| Sightseeing and Lunch in Oowakutani | |
| 14:04 | Rope way from Oowakutani to Tougendai |
| 14:20 | Pilate ship from Tougendai to Motohakone |
| Sightseeing in Motohakone | |
| 16:00 | Public bus to the hotel or to Hakone Yumoto |
| 17:30 | Odakyu limited express romance car to Shinjuku |
| 19:00 | Back to Shinjuku |
If the weather is fine, this should be a perfect itinerary for a trainspotter and family with children. Hakone is a perfect resort equipped with good hotel, good hot spring, good restaurant, and museums. Find your favorite Hakone!
Places I like are Pola Museum, Karakuri Puzzle Museum.
Useful links to plan your train schedule. Odakyu free Pass, traffic updates.
(Traveled in April 2017 with guests from USA, some pictures are from other time in 2017, text and photo by Chika)