Hello! Want to get feedback and suggestions for our (mid 30s couple) two-night stay in Hakone this mid November. We’ll be heading from and then back to Tokyo afterwards. We’re currently booked the first night at Yama-no-Chaya and then Gora Kadan for the second night, and will be getting the three-day Hakone Free Pass.
The goal was to split up the different sections of the Hakone loop across the 2 days and try to also maximize our time to fully enjoy and experience both ryokans. We plan to pack somewhat light to Hakone and leave our larger luggage at the Tokyo hotel. Really want to take advantage of the season to see some fall foliage in the area.
Some specific feedback we’d appreciate are:
1. *Any major attractions we are missing that we should try squeeze in, especially if we want to see fall foliage at that time of the year.*
2. *Is it worth also experiencing a public onsen if we are already staying at two ryokens with onsens?*
3. *Is the itinerary too tight at any spots when accounting for the crowd/lines?*
4. *Any good spots to get lunch for each of the days?*
**Itinerary**
* Day 1 (get to Hakone, explore southern part of the Hakone loop + take boat tour, check in to Yama no Chaya)
* 7:30am – Checkout from Tokyo hotel and get to Shinjuku Station
* 8:00am – Take Romancecar to Hakone-Yumato Station
* 10:00am – Explore Yumato a bit, then drop off bags at Yama-no-Chaya
* *Should we explore Odawara Castle instead? or have time to fit in both somehow?*
* 11:00am – Bus to Amazake teahouse. Get snacks/tea.
* 12:00pm – Walk the Old Tokaido to Moto-Hakone, visit Hakone Shrine
* 1:00pm – Walk to Hakone-machi, visit surrounding areas, *get lunch somewhere?*
* 2:30pm – Take sightseeing boat tour round trip on Lake Ashi
* 4:30pm – Bus back to Yama-no-Chaya, check in, onsen, dinner, relax, sleep.
* Day 2 (explore northern part of the Hakone loop with ropeway, check in to Gora Kadan)
* 8:00am – breakfast at Yama-no-Chaya
* 9:00am – checkout, take Tozan Railway to Gora
* 10:00am – drop off bags at Gora Kadan
* 10:30am – Tozan Cablecar to Sounzan
* 11:00am – Hakone Ropeway to Togendai, get volcano eggs at Owakudani
* 1:00pm – Visit Botanical Garden and Glass Museum
* *Is it better to bus Togendai to Sengoku or take the ropeway back up first?*
* *get lunch some where?*
* 4:00pm – Bus back to Gora
* 4:30pm – Check in at Gora Kadan, dinner, onsen, relax, sleep.
* Day 3 (explore Gora area, head back to Tokyo)
* 9:00am – Breakfast at Gora Kadan
* 10:00am – checkout
* 10:30am – Hakone Open Air museum, Gora park, get lunch somewhere.
* early afternoon – Railway/Bus to Hakone Yumoto, then Romancecar back to Tokyo.
Thanks for any advice or suggestions!
by MostlyHarmlessChub
