"Hakone" a Hakone Travel Page by tuff

Two hours train ride out via the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku is the national park and hot spring resort area of Hakone. We purchased a “Hakone Freepass” at the Odakyu Travel Service and it’s good for a round trip between Shinjuku and Hakone and it also included the seven types of transportation in the Hakone area. Hakone area’s mountains and lake are beautiful, you can also get a nice view of Mt. Fuji from various vista points.

Starting at Hakone Yumoto, we followed the route that most people took which is take the Hokone Tozan Railway train up the mountain to Miyanoshita Station, including a visit to Fujiya Hotel. Then continued with the Railway to Gora which you can visit Gora Park for free with the “Hakone Freepass”.

From Gora, transfer to the Sounzan cable car up to Sounzan Station then switch to the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Station. Walk up the mountain to the Sulphurous vapor erupting area, enjoy the nice view while you are eating the “black eggs”.

The second half of the Hokone Ropeway was under renovation at the time of our visit, so we have to catch a shuttle bus from Owakudani Station to Togendai Station which you can take a boat ride to either Hokone or Motohakone.

You can cover most of the area in one day if you start early, however, I recommend staying for the night in one of the ryokans with onsen to experience the true Japanese culture and hospitality.