TOKYO DAY 3 – DAY TRIP TO HAKONE (FROM SHINJUKU) BUYING TICKETS ODAKYU SIGHTSEEING SERVICE CENTER, SHINJUKU STATION I recommend getting your tickets 1-2 days before your trip, and check the weather forecast ahead of time. Two things I recommend purchasing from here: The Hakone Freepass (5140 Yen): This gives you unlimited access (over 2 days, I believe) to almost all methods of transportation in Hakone—at least the ones that I talk about in this guide. There are a couple of buses that you won’t be able to take, but all the touristy places you’ll definitely be able to get to with this pass. I never did the math to see if you actually save any money, but I think it’s worth it just for the convenience. It saves you from having to purchase individual tickets as you go, and given the number of times you’ll be hopping on and off different trains/buses/etc., having the freepass just makes getting around faster Limited Express Add-On for Odakyu’s Romancecar (890 Yen one way): Highly recommend getting this upgrade. The Hakone Freepass gets you a ride on a local train to Hakone-Yumoto, but it’s not direct (you have to switch trains at some point) AND it takes 30 minutes longer. With the Romancecar, you have reserved seats, it’s a much more comfortable ride, and you’ll be there in 1-1.5 hours. 2 TOURING HAKONE 1. ROMANCECAR FROM SHINJUKU TO HAKONE-YUMOTO Pretty self-explanatory…if you get lost trying to find the train platform, just ask anyone at the station—they’re always willing to help. 2. TRANSFER TO HAKONE-TOZAN TRAIN This train platform is right next to the platform you get off of taking the Romancecar. Platform signs are displayed in English, Korean, and Chinese. Take the Hakone-Tozan train from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora Station (last stop). It will take about 40 minutes. They have some souvenir shops around Gora Station, as well as some restaurants so definitely take some time to look around! 3. TRANSFER FROM HAKONE TOZAN TRAIN AT GORA STATION TO HAKONE TOZAN CABLECAR This leg will take about 10 minutes, and you want to get off at Sounzan Station, which is the last stop. Hakone Ropeway (next transport) will literally be right in front of you. There’s a pretty good view from the observation terrace at Sounzan. 4. TAKE ROPEWAY TO OWAKUDANI STATION This should take about 8 minutes. If the weather is good, you should be able to see Mt. Fuji from the ropeway on your way up. 5. OWAKUDANI This is a pretty neat place! It doesn’t smell particularly pleasant, though, thanks to all the sulfuric gas spewing out from the mountain surface. We got super lucky and got there 3 before the fog completely enveloped the whole area. It was a pretty cool view! Definitely try their famous “black eggs” while you’re there. These eggs have been boiled in the hot water emitted from the volcanic mountain. The taste is about the same, but the texture is a little different. 6. GET BACK ON ROPEWAY FROM OWAKUDANI STATION TO TOGENDAI Make sure you’re going in the right direction! This will take about 15 minutes. 7. TOGENDAI I’ve heard this is a great place for lunch (for the views). The Togendai View Restaurant overlooks the water so you’ll get gorgeous views! The food is average, though, from what I’ve heard. 8. BUS TO SENGOKU-KOGEN FROM TOGENDAI This is the extra destination that I incorporated into the pretty standard Loop guide. The Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields are so pretty and really not too far from Togendai, so I figured, why not make the trip since we’re already here. You’ll want to take the Hakone Tozan Bus Line T for Odawara Station (about 6 minutes). The buses wait right outside of Togendai station. Feel free to ask the bus driver to verify directions if you’re unsure you have the right bus. 9. SIGHTSEE SENGOKUHARA PAMPAS GRASS FIELDS I’ve heard the best time to visit these fields is Autumn, where the fields turn gold/green. But I’m sure they’re just as gorgeous at any other time of the year. This is such a great spot for pictures! 10. BUS BACK TO TOGENDAI Take Hakone Tozan Bus Line T for Togendai (about 13 minutes) 4 11. SIGHTSEEING CRUISE ON LAKE ASHI Departs from Togendai at bottom of Hakone ropeway. The cruise is about 40 minutes to get to Moto-Hakone-ko harbor (there are actually two cruise routes…one stops at another harbor and you have to transfer ships to get to Moto-Hakone). The views from the cruise are gorgeous! We didn’t have particularly good weather, though…but the fog is always magical in its own way! 12. MOTO-HAKONE-KO When you get to the harbor, you can walk about 15-20 min. to get to the huge archway of Hakone Shrine (right alongside the lake). There is also a café/bakery pretty close to the harbor stop and I was pooped so of course I had to get my dessert fix in. 13. BACK TO HAKONE-YUMOTO VIA HAKONE TOZAN BUS Yes, this bus goes back to the Hakone-Yumoto station, so you don’t have to backtrack the entire route. This bus gets extremely crowded, so be prepared to stand the entire time. It’ll take about 35 minutes. 14. ROMANCECAR BACK TO SHINJUKU If you want to take the Romancecar back, you need to buy another upgrade since the original add-on is just for one-way. You can buy this at the Hakone-Yumoto station! Otherwise, feel free to take the local train back. Just remember that you’ll have to transfer somewhere along the way, and it will take at least 30 minutes longer. 5 ------------------------------------ HOTEL INFO: DURING MY 3 DAYS IN TOKYO, I STAYED AT APA HOTEL SHINJUKU-KABUKICHO TOWER. REALLY ENJOYED MY STAY HERE. ROOMS ARE SMALL BUT COZY. THE BREAKFAST BUFFET, WHILE EXPENSIVE, IS PRETTY GOOD (BUT HONESTLY I’D RECOMMEND EATING OUT). THE LOCATION IS GREAT! - Pretty much all Japanese hotels provide shampoo/conditioner (like FULL pump bottles not the tiny sample size ones that you find in the US) - They also provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs. So you can definitely afford to pack light with the toiletries. - All the hotel rooms come with those fancy toilets with the butt washers. They’re actually the best thing, no joke. *Also, general disclaimer: Please check the times/directions yourself before you go. Things may have changed! THE END. HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THIS ITINERARY. ASHLEY | R E A S Y U M E 6 .