I’m staying in Shibuya and really want to take a day trip to Hakone. I’ve seen some posts saying it’s feasible while others saying it’s way too much travel for a day trip if I’m based out of Tokyo/ Shibuya. I used chatgpt to generate a travel itinerary and it fed me this transportation guide (I told it what I want to do within Hakone (visit the Hakone Shrine, Owakudani, Hakone Open Air Museum, and see Mt. Fuji view from Lake Ashi (weather permitting)):
**STEPS**
Shibuya Station to Shinagawa Station
Shinagawa Station to Odawara Station
Odawara Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station
Hakone-Yumoto Station to Hakone Shrine
Hakone Shrine to Togendai Station
Togendai Station to Moto-Hakone
Moto-Hakone to Owakudani
Owakudani to Sounzan Station
Sounzan Station to Gora Station
Gora Station to Odawara Station
Odawara Station to Shinagawa Station
Shinagawa Station to Shibuya Station
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So this is clearly a lot of traveling LOL and I’m under the impression some things within Hakone close at 5? I’m willing to travel to see everything I want and also plan on using the Hakone Free Pass within Hakone.
Can someone keep me in check here? Is this too ambitious? And if so, what would be the next best alternative for a day trip from Tokyo that may be less ambitious. Thanks!
Date of Travel: Apr 29 (golden week)
2 comments
Instead of shinkansen from Shinagawa, you can take the Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, it will be cheaper. Just get the Hakone Free pass to move around Hakone and add the extra charge for the Romancecar ticket (the base base is covered by the pass).
In your titinerary, I think you mixed Togendai and Moto-Hakone. Moto Hakone is walking distance from Hakone Shrine, it’s located south of the lake. Then you take the boat to Togendai that is north side of the lake from where you can take the ropeway to Owakudani.
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Yes, most attractions in Hakone will close at 5pm, so it’s better to start the day early to be at the first attractions as close to their opening time, usually that should be around 9am.
Why use ChatGPT when there’s heaps of sample day trip itineraries with a quick Google search?
– [Truly Tokyo: Hakone Day Trip](https://trulytokyo.com/hakone-day-trip-itinerary/)
– [Tokyo Cheapo: Hakone Day Trip Guide](https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/holidays/hakone-day-trip-guide/)
– [JapanGuide: Classic Hakone Day Trip](https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/digital-hakone-freepass/)
– [Hakone Navi Official Tourism Site: First Trip to Hakone Itinerary](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/course/244)
If you want the easiest option book a bus tour day trip. There’s lots of these options too. Then you just get on the bus in central Tokyo and they drive you around to all the key spots. You can Google Hakone bus tour for options. Most depart from Shinjuku station.