Hakone
Days 5 to 7, 2 nights
Hakone
Days 5 to 7, 2 nights
One full day on the loop: the old road, the lake, the ropeway, then an onsen
You arrive on the evening of day 5, coming from Tokyo, and leave on day 7 for Osaka. Everything below happens on the day in between.
Day 6
A full day in Hakone
In Hakone you have the Hakone Free Pass, which costs 5,000 yen and gives you access to everything: buses, the pirate ship on the lake, and the cable car. It is worth it if you do those things. You can buy it online and present a QR code each time.
We took the bus in the morning to walk the old Tokaido road, the stretch lined with cedars.
We stopped for tea in a traditional tea house on the way. Bring cash.
We kept walking for two hours until we reached the lake, where we took the ferry and the ropeway. It was a cloudy day, so we did not get to see Hakone in the sun.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum was pretty good, a funny one, and you can also just sit in the park before heading back to the hostel and to the onsen.
Where to sleep
We stayed here
Hakone, hostel, €25 per person
One of the best hostels we stayed at in Japan. The onsen is great.
On our shortlist
Hakone
Our first choice, but it was fully booked by the time we decided. Next time I go to Hakone, I am definitely picking this one.
Where we ate
A traditional tea house on the old Tokaido road
Hakone, cash only
Tea, halfway through the walk
Bring cash.
The convenience store
Hakone
Dinner, on the night you arrive
Restaurants close early here, and it saves a bit of money.
Getting around
Your accommodation to The old Tokaido road
Bus, in the morning
Covered by Hakone Free Pass, 5,000 yen
The old Tokaido road to Lake Ashi
On foot, through the cedars
About two hours
Lake Ashi to Back across Hakone
Ferry, then the ropeway
Covered by Hakone Free Pass, 5,000 yen