All About Hakone

Hakone is an extremely popular destination for both tourists and Tokyoites. Part of the reason is the stark contrast it offers to the concrete jungle of the neighbouring cities Tokyo and Yokohama (think: Onsens). Another reason is because it isn’t too far away, making it a realistic day-trip or weekend stay. We will explore the various ways to enjoy a trip to Hakone in this article.


 

Deciding on the length of stay

Hakone can both be enjoyed as a day-trip or a 2-3 days adventure. It is relatively important to decide on this before you set off for Hakone for several reasons. Apart from the obvious reasons such as hotel booking and itinerary difference, deciding on the length of you stay helps you to decide which TRAVEL PASSES to buy:

Hakone FreepassFuji Hakone PassHakone Kowaki-en Yunessun Hot Springs Coupon

The Hakone Freepass can be used over 2 days (5,140 yen) or 3 days (5,640 yen). It covers a round-trip on the Odakyu Line (usually 880 yen each way), and unlimited usage of the Hakone Tozan Train, Hakone Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, Hakone Tozan Bus*, Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus*, Numazu Tozan Tokai Bus and Kanko Shisetsu Meguri Buses.

The Fuji Hakone Pass is a 3-day pass (7,400 yen; 50% discount for children) which can be seen as a more comprehensive version of the Hakone Freepass. It covers transport to the Mt Fuji area and Fujikyu Highland on top of the ones covered by the Hakone Freepass.

This coupon covers round-trip tickets to Hakone and includes entry to Yunessun and Mori-no-yu resorts.


Attractions in Hakone

Owakudani Valley

This volcanic valley features a fantastic view of the entire area from the air-conditioned visitor’s center , watching the process of making hard-boiled ‘spa’ eggs (kuro-tamago), buying and eating the eggs (and adding 7 years to your life-span for each eaten!)

owakudani view
The breathtaking view from the Visitor’s Center
Worker soaking the eggs in the sulfurous pools to achieve the blackened shells.
Special ropeway to deliver cooked and uncooked eggs!
A packet of 5 kuro-tamagos. That makes it a 35 years boost to your lifespan.

 

Hakone River Cruise

hakone cruise

 

Lake Ashinoko

hakone_torii

Amazake Chaya

amazakaya

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