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Is this your first time in Hakone? If so, this is the perfect Hakone 2-day itinerary for you!
With hot springs (onsens), cozy ryokans, photo ops of Mount Fuji, and a serene mountainous landscape, Hakone beckons daytrippers and weekenders from all over Japan.
And after spending 3-4 days in Hakone, I can attest to its charm. I get why it’s popular! However…
Hakone is not particularly easy for a first-timer to navigate.
Exploring Hakone can be quite confusing. The sheer amount of public transportation involved just to see and do one thing is a little overwhelming. 😵💫
The number of times I overheard people beside me talking about getting lost or expressing frustration at the mad maze trying to get around Hakone was wild…!
As Hakone is not just one town but a vast area comprising multiple towns and attractions inside Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, I recommend not coming just for one day/on a day trip.
There is simply too much to do and see to begin enjoying Hakone in one day.
Even two days will be fast-paced, and you won’t get to do it all.
But at least with two days, you can get a much better feel and understanding of Hakone’s natural riches.
✨ With 2 days in Hakone, you can fit in a relaxing soak in at least one or two public onsens (if you don’t have a private one at your ryokan or hotel), a scenic hike, a couple of museums, the Lake Ashi cruise, the Owakudani sulfur fields/ropeway ride, and more.
In this guide, I’m sharing a realistic and easy-going 2-day itinerary to enjoy Hakone.
Of course, feel free to customize this itinerary to suit your preferences. After exploring Hakone and seeing what is realistically doable within two days, these are my honest recommendations—plus all the tips I wish I had known before my trip!
How to Spend 2 Days in Hakone (Itinerary)
Must-Know to Prep for 2 Days in Hakone
It helps to know these things before you start planning your itinerary!
Read more below for itinerary details of the best things to do in Hakone split across two days.
Get the Hakone Freepass
If you’re coming to Hakone on your own—that is, if you aren’t coming as part of an inclusive tour from Tokyo, then you should purchase the Hakone Freepass to save yourself money and a headache.
As I detail in my guide to the Hakone Freepass, it’s not just the money you save that makes it worth it; it’s the hassle!
With the Freepass (2 or 3-day passes available only), you get unlimited transport around Hakone.
There are 8 different modes of transport in Hakone (trains, bus lines, cruise, cable car, ropeway…).
And to see or do ANYTHING in Hakone, you need to use multiple modes of transport.
With the pass, you only have to show it to the driver/operator. No fumbling for exact change or figuring out costs!
🎟️ Buy your pass easily online via Klook!
Register for travel medical insurance to protect your health & trip
Exploring Hakone’s hot springs, hiking trails, and scenic views is an unforgettable adventure. Still, it’s always wise to be prepared for those unfortunate “unexpected adventures,” too (as I prefer to call them!).
Whether soaking at onsens or cruising on Lake Ashi, reliable travel medical insurance ensures peace of mind for medical emergencies, baggage delays, adventure sports, or even gear theft.
I use SafetyWing for flexible, affordable coverage that works anywhere in the world. It’s ideal for short or long-term travel (costing only $56 per four weeks or $28 for two!).
Don’t let accidents spoil your itinerary—register now to protect your Hakone getaway. 🙌
Stay in Yumoto or Gora for convenience
If it’s your first time staying in Hakone, you may find it easier to spend the night in Yumoto town, as this is where the main station is.
Gora is another great option as many ryokans are concentrated here. If you want to be closer to museums and the ropeway and cable car, Gora is a good choice, but it takes an extra bus/train ride to reach from Hakone-Yumoto Station.
🎒 Budget accommodation:
- Guesthouse Azito (where I stayed in Hakone-Yumoto)
- K’s House (has an onsen)
✨ Boutique / Mid-Range hotel options:
💎 Luxurious / High-End ryokans in Hakone:
✨ Search for all available hotels & ryokan inns in Hakone here ✨
Attractions & restaurants close early
Surprisingly, many of the attractions (e.g. the ropeway) will have last departures around 4:30 pm, which is not that late!
This means if you wish to make the most of your day, you should start early as it takes a while to reach anywhere in Hakone with the bus and train timetables.
On that note, restaurants close early too; many before 7-8 PM.
There are few top-rated establishments, and mostly everywhere will have a queue for dinner. It’s best to have dinner extra early, or lunch extra late.
Onsens are spread out & most are not tattoo-friendly
There are reportedly 17 hot springs in Hakone, but they are all quite spread out between the various towns (i.e. Yumoto, Gora, Miyanoshita, Tonasawan, Motohakone, etc) and some are claimed by the ryokan resorts and inns.
So unless you take a bus or train, it’s unlikely that you will visit more than one or two public onsens with only a 2-day itinerary.
Also, keep in mind that many onsens across Japan are not tattoo-friendly due to the association of the Yakuza and gang violence.
However, luckily a few onsens in Hakone are tattoo-friendly; one is the Tenzan Onsen, for example, which is where I went (and I recommend it!).
Day 1 in Hakone Itinerary
This is an example of what you can see and do with this itinerary for your first day in Hakone (with ample time and pending weather):
- Hakone Shrine + Torii gate
- Lake Ashi cruise with Mt Fuji views to Togendai
- Amesake Teahouse + a 30-minute walk on the Old Tokaido Highway
- Hakone Ropeway (view over sulfur fields) from Togendai to Sounzan
- Owakudani and the famous black egg
- Scenic cable car to Gora (in spring and autumn)
- 1 museum of your choice (Pola Museum, Venetian Glass Museum, or Hakone Open-Air Museum)
- Dinner near your accommodation
Let your first day in Hakone be flexible and about getting your bearings.
Since your first day in Hakone is likely going to be more like a half-day rather than a full day, depending on when you depart from Shinjuku, it’s best to not fill up your itinerary to the max.
Keep in mind that you will need to drop your bags off at your accommodation or store them in the coin lockers at the Hakone-Yumoto station if you want to hit the ground running when you arrive in Hakone-Yumoto.
For your first day, I recommend seeing the top sights in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This “loop” will take about 5+ hours, not counting time for lunch or side quests!
The Hakone Loop
Below are my suggestions for how to spend one day in Hakone.
My itinerary suggests going clockwise direction from Hakone-Yumoto station.
✨ Note: This clockwise itinerary works well if you are staying overnight in Hakone-Yumoto. However, if you are staying in a ryokan in Gora, then I suggest doing the Hakone Loop counter-clockwise. Please note I suggest a few “optional” activities as they are underrated but require extra time to visit.
Day 1 in Hakone: 9AM – 3PM
The earliest train to Hakone from Shinjuku (Tokyo) departs weekdays at 7:37 AM and weekends at 7:00 AM. If you take the Romancecar, then you should arrive at Hamote-Yumoto station around 9-10 AM.
- Take the “K” bus from Hakone-Yumoto toward Motohakone-ko
- Stop at the historic Amazake-Chaya Teahouse bus stop and enjoy mochi and amesake—a sweet, non-alcoholic fermented rice drink
- Walk along the old Cedar Avenue (30 minutes) via the Old Tokaido trail to reach Motohakone-ko port
- Visit the Hakone Shrine and the red Torii gate
- Tour the Hakone Checkpoint (optional)
- Walk on Mishima Skywalk, Japan’s longest suspension bridge (optional)
- Board the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise to cross to Togendai
The above options will take you more off the beaten path (recommended) but require more time in the Motohakone area.
During my trip, I accidentally skipped the teahouse so if I could do it again, I’d add in the Amazake-Chaya Teahouse and walk through the ancient cedar forest on the historic Old Tokaido Highway (Kyukaido Ishidatami) to reach Motohakone rather than taking the bus directly there.
If you want to skip the teahouse and Old Tokaido trail, then you can take a different bus directly to Motohakone-ko, as shown below.
- Bus “T” line from Hakone-Yumoto direct to Motohakone-ko (35-45 minutes)
- Walk 10 minutes to the Hakone Shrine (free), visit, and snap a photo of the red Torii gate
- Optional but recommended activities
- Hakone Checkpoint (requires a 5-minute bus transfer or 15-minute walk)
- Mishima Skywalk
- Narukawa Art Museum
- Board the Lake Ashi cruise to Togendai
Note: You won’t be able to fit all the “optionals” in one day, so choose wisely!
After you visit the Motohakone area at your own pace and are ready to leave, then board the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise across Lake Ashi to Togendai.
Once in Togendai, you can immediately board the Hakone Ropeway.
The Hakone Ropeway is an aerial tram that takes you across Owakudani’s active sulfur fields, where you can see smoking vents from volcanic activity.
You can get great views of Mt Fuji on a clear day from up here as well as try the famous Owakudani black egg from atop the Owakudani station.
After visiting, you can take the next ropeway to Sounzan, where you will then take a cable car down to Gora.
Day 1 in Hakone: 3 PM – 6 PM
From Gora Station, you can transfer via bus or train to visit one of these attractions in the afternoon:
- Gora Park (a pretty French-manicured park)
- Pola Museum of Art (north of Gora Station, take the bus line “S” for 15 minutes)
- Hakone Open-Air Museum (located just south of Gora Station, take the Tonzan train line for 6 minutes or walk for 15 minutes)
✨ Tip: If you’re not staying at a ryokan with an onsen, you can try to find a public onsen in the Gora area for the afternoon/evening or go enjoy the ones in Hakone-Yumoto. For a tattoo-friendly onsen in Hakone, I recommend Tenzan Onsen!
For lunch/dinner, there are a couple of signature Hakone restaurants to try—like the tofu set at Yubadon Naokichi and the handmade soba at the famous Hatsuhana Soba Honten that’s been operating since 1934—but you’ll have to start queuing early.
I also dined at Kinosuke (grilled fish) and 808 Monsmare (pizza/Italian), both of which I highly recommend!
If you don’t get to do/see all of this in one day, don’t worry! Wait times for buses, restaurants, etc., may set you back.
You could split this loop up into two days and go at a more relaxed pace with more time in between for exploring and eating.
Day 2 in Hakone Itinerary
Day one was all about the Hakone Loop via public transport, but I recommend that day two in Hakone be about exploring Hakone on foot (and then relaxing those feet in hot springs).
- Morning: Hike in Hakone
- Afternoon: Onsen + coffee shop
- Evening: Relax and pack to leave
Go on a scenic Hakone hike
Whether you’re an avid hiker like me or want to enjoy a casual stroll, getting out in Hakone’s nature is a must.
I chose to do the Mount Kintoki hike which is one of the top choices for hikers looking for a moderate challenge with a huge payoff.
On this hike, you can see clear, unhampered views of Mt Fuji (on a sunny, clear day), from atop the Mt Kintoki summit at 1212m.
You can read more trail details in my guide to hiking Mt Kintoki! 🥾
If a steep climb doesn’t sound like an ideal morning, then there are other hikes you can do.
One of the suggested “courses” by the tourist information office is the Tokaido trail which follows the historic highway for 5.2km. This is the same section where you can visit and taste amazake at the Amazake-Chaya Teahouse.
The Tokaido Highway is said to be one of the most famous historic roads in Japan originally used by samurai, daimyo, and folks traveling between Kyoto and Tokyo (Edo).
You can start this walk at Hatajuku, an Edo-period village famous for its woodcraft, and from there walk to Lake Ashinoko.
Though I didn’t do them myself, the two other recommended hiking trails in Hakone are the Nagao Pass (2 hours) and the Chisuji Waterfall trail (20 minutes).
Relax in one of Hakone’s hot springs (onsens)
There is nothing better than soothing achy muscles in an outdoor hot spring just after completing a hike!
The day I hiked Mt Kintoki, it rained. The weather was dreadful and cold (I went in mid-February during winter in Hakone) so instead of touring the museums, I decided to spend the next two hours absorbing the delicious hot spring heat into my bones at an onsen. 🤤
I wrote a review of the Tenzan Onsen that you can read, but here are quick details!
- Tattoo-friendly!
- Cost ¥1,350/adult with the Hakone Freepass (regular price: ¥1,400)
- Purchase your ticket at the vending machine
- Bring your face towel, rentals cost ¥200 at the reception
- Get there via the “M” bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station
♨️ Other public onsens in Hakone (that are popular and recommended) are Hakone no Yu (no tattoos), Hakone-Yuryo (no tattoos), Kappa Tengoku (mixed reviews), and Hakone Izumi.
Try Hakone’s Food
For an extra special treat to wrap up your second day in Hakone, I recommend getting cheesecake and coffee at Cafe Timuny, a cozy and trendy cafe overlooking the Haya River. It is very close to the Hakone-Yumoto Station. It was so nice to lounge here for a few hours and work on my laptop! 🌸
If you have time to spare, the gourmet ice cream/gelato at Hakone Dolce studio STELLA is worth the visit too!!
Other Hakone treats to try:
- Pork skewers and puddings at Jyokamachi
- Amazake and hot mochi
- Fish cake sticks at Kamaboko Yokocho Kagosei
- Onsen “manju”
- Soba and yuba
- Owakudani’s black egg
Is 2 Days in Hakone Enough?
No, of course not! ☺️
Hakone, like so many destinations in Japan, is best savored slowly.
But I know it’s impossible to spend multiple nights or even a week in the area, especially if you have a limited number of vacation days.
That said, two days in Hakone is still enough to soak up the sights and get a real feel for the beauty of Japan’s mountainous countryside.
I hope you can get inspired by my 2-day itinerary and enjoy your time in Hakone to the fullest!
Please drop me your questions and comments below and I’ll get back to you with further recommendations.
➡️ Heading to Fuji Five Lakes next? Read my guide to easily get from Hakone to Fujikawaguchiko.
Hi there I will be staying in Gora for 3 nights most likely arriving midday the first day would you recommend that there is enough time on your 2 day itinerary for our stay?
Hi Jessie! Yes, I think so and you’d have time to do the alternatives and optional activities! 3 nights in Hakone area is a good amount. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Hi, I’m just wondering why it makes more sense to do the loop counterclockwise if staying in Gora? Doesn’t doing it clockwise (the way you suggest here) take out one more bus ride and make it easier to see the tea house while still ending the day in Gora?
Hi Elie!! If you’re staying in Gora, I suggest doing it the other route since you first can drop your luggage at your hotel (bus/train Yumoto-Gora), and then, from there, grab the cablecar, then take the ropeway across Owakudani down to Togendai (the lake), cross Lake Ashi, visit, take the bus up (or walk the Cedar Ave) to the teahouse, then return bus/train to Gora. You could do it clockwise, too, but that would mean ending up in Gora > Yumoto to collect your luggage stored in lockers then back to Gora. I hope that makes more sense? Have a wonderful Hakone trip! x
Hello!!! Your post is really helpfull, Thank you! Im just a little confuse cause i will pass the night in Gora.. so, should I do your itinerary in the other sence? Where should I start? Thank you in advance.
Hey Ana! Yes, you can start in Gora 100%, just go the other way so you’ll take the cable car and the ropeway first, then the cruise. Make your way up to Yumoto, visit the teahouse, hit the onsens, and then go back! Of course, you can add in other stuff too (alternatives suggested in the itinerary)!
Hi Bri,
Thank you so much for posting this Hakone itinerary. We are going to Hakone next month for 2 days 1 night. So your article for a 2-day trip is perfect. I found this super super helpful.
May I ask a few questions?
* Where do we get off the bus to visit the Amazake Chaya Teahouse from Hakone-Yumoto station? Can we tell the bus driver where we want to get off (though I don’t speak Japanese)? would there be a map at Hakone or a clear signage on the road where to get off? This is our first time going to Hakone. I’m glad that you share this article, otherwise planning the itinerary is a bit daunting. I’ve also heard of the Amazake teahouse and would love to visit there. So when I see this is listed in your itinerary, I’m very excited!!
* From the Amazake Teahouse, how do we go to the old Cedar Avenue for the 30 min walk to Motohakone-ko port?
* Is the Hakone Sightseeing cruise same as the pirate ship? Can we board the ship from Motohakone (ie. no need to go to Hakonemachi-ko to board the ship)?
* For day 2, we are thinking of visiting the Hakone Open Air Museum (to spread out the itinerary over two days), exploring Gora Park as well as getting on the Kanko Shisetsu-Meguri Bus (Tourist Attraction Sightseeing Bus) if time permits. However, I’m also conscious of the time as we have to catch the romancecar back to Shinjuku that afternoon. We need to be back at the Hakone-Yumoto station before 3pm. Just wanted to know what is the frequency of the Hakone Tozan Train from Gora to Hakone-Yumoto station? Is the Hakone Tozan bus actually running the entire Hakone loop?
Thank you so much!!
Hi Yunita! Thanks for your patience while I get back to you! The Amazake-Chaya Teahouse is right in front of the bus stop also called Amazake-Chaya. From there, the Cedar Avenue walking trail will take you to the Motohakone-ko port town. Next, yes; the “pirate” ship is the same as the Hakone Sightseeing Lake Ashi cruise. And nope, no need to go to Hakonemachi-ko (that’s another area but a bit further south). For day two in Hakone, sounds like a good plan to me. I think you will be fine on time, as the Tozan train line runs frequently to/from Yumoto station. The bus can’t do the entire loop, but it can take you to Gora and Gotemba and Motohakone-ko.You will need to use the train or the cablecar to reach other areas! I hope this helps answer your questions! Feel free to get back to me if not!