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Hakone: a slower overnight escape

A suggested itinerary based in Hakone. Allow 2 days.

A suggested route for your own trip, inspired by the Journal’s locations. It is not a record of Andy’s personal itinerary.

Allow2 daysBaseHakoneRoute4 planned stages

Editorially reviewed 16 September 2026 · confirm live access before travelling.

Hakone Shrine peace torii — photograph from Andy’s Journal

Your suggested route

The times below are suggested allowances, not live opening hours or transport schedules. Adjust the order for your arrival time, bookings and conditions.

  1. Day 1 · Late morning · Hakone-Yumoto

    Arrive with an overnight bag, arrange luggage storage and have lunch in Hakone-Yumoto. Leave an hour for the town before travelling towards Gora. Avoid attempting the whole transport circuit before checking into your accommodation.

  2. Day 1 · Afternoon and evening · Gora

    Choose one art museum or a short local walk, allowing roughly two hours. Check in before your accommodation’s dinner time and make the evening about the meal and bathing. Ask about bath etiquette and private-bath options rather than assuming identical arrangements everywhere.

  3. Day 2 · Morning · Owakudani

    Travel towards Sounzan and follow the operating ropeway route through Owakudani towards Togendai. Allow time for the volcanic landscape and viewpoints. Follow current access advice; Mount Fuji visibility is a bonus rather than a guaranteed experience.

  4. Day 2 · Afternoon · Lake Ashi

    Use the available boat connection towards Motohakone, have lunch and visit Hakone Shrine. Allow around two hours for the shrine and lakeshore before the bus journey back towards your departure station. Skip a long photograph queue if it compromises your return.

Where to pause for food

Have a flexible first lunch in Hakone-Yumoto and arrange dinner through your ryokan if offered. On day two, plan a proper meal around Motohakone. Confirm last orders rather than relying on finding a late restaurant after transport has finished.

Getting around

The circuit uses several separate mountain-railway, cable-car, ropeway, boat and bus connections. Compare pass coverage with your actual route. Keep luggage out of the day-two circuit and leave generous time between the final bus and your onward train.

For a shorter day or different weather

If wind or volcanic conditions suspend the ropeway, choose the lake and a museum instead. Poor visibility is a good reason to enjoy your accommodation longer. Visitors who dislike transfers can concentrate on Gora and one lake outing.

Before you go

Reserve accommodation first, confirming dinner and bath arrangements. Check each transport segment’s operating status on the day. This overnight plan works best with a comfortable return buffer, not a ticket tied to the last possible connection.

Visitor information and further planning

Use these destination, attraction and operator resources to check current access and arrangements before booking.

Places from the Journal

Explore the original Instagram posts from this destination.

For more travel and everyday moments.

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