Hakone Day Guides
by Trip To Japan
How to Spend a Day Exploring Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Ashi, and Hakone Shrine
Hakone is a perfect day trip destination filled with natural beauty, stunning views of Mount Fuji (on clear days), relaxing hot springs, and cultural spots. This guide will help you make the most of your day by exploring some of the best sights: the Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani volcanic valley, Lake Ashi, and the peaceful Hakone Shrine.
Let’s start your adventure!
Start Your Day from Your Hotel
Wake up, have breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café, and get ready for the day.
What to bring:
✔ Comfortable walking shoes
✔ A small bag with water, snacks, and a jacket
✔ Hakone Free Pass (if you have one – it saves money and covers many rides)
✔ Cash (some small shops don’t take cards)
Go to Sounzan Station to Ride the Hakone Ropeway
Your day starts with the famous Hakone Ropeway.
How to get to Sounzan Station:
If you’re staying in Gora, take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Sounzan Station (about 10 minutes).
If you're staying in Hakone-Yumoto or another area, take a Hakone Tozan Bus or train to Gora Station, then take the cable car to Sounzan.
Ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani
Once at Sounzan Station, hop on the Hakone Ropeway and enjoy the view.
What to expect:
✔ Ride high above the mountains
✔ See forests, valleys, and maybe Mount Fuji (if it’s a clear day)
✔ Your first stop is Owakudani Station
Explore Owakudani Volcanic Valley
Get off at Owakudani Station and explore the volcanic area.
What to do:
✔ Walk around the paths and see steam and sulfur vents
✔ Eat a black egg boiled in hot springs (they say it adds 7 years to your life!)
✔ Take pictures of the otherworldly landscape
✔ Check out the small shops for souvenirs and snacks
Explore Owakudani Volcanic Valley
Get off at Owakudani Station and explore the volcanic area.
What to do:
✔ Walk around the paths and see steam and sulfur vents
✔ Eat a black egg boiled in hot springs (they say it adds 7 years to your life!)
✔ Take pictures of the otherworldly landscape
✔ Check out the small shops for souvenirs and snacks
Snack Options:
Cu-mo Shop - Souvenir shop inside the Sounzan Station selling snacks and beverages.
Owakudani Kurotamago-kan – Owakudani Station souvenir shop with Hakone's famous black eggs and snacks.
Vegetarian snacks – There could be rice balls or sweet potato fries available at souvenir shops, but bring your own snacks, just in case.
Continue the Ropeway to Togendai Station
After you’re done exploring Owakudani, get back on the ropeway and ride to the last stop: Togendai Station, by Lake Ashi.
Ride time: about 16 minutes from Owakudani to Togendai
Have Lunch at Lake Ashi
There are a few restaurants and cafés near Togendai Station, or you can hop on the pirate ship and eat across the lake.
Lunch Options:
Togendai View Restaurant – Looking for quick and simple meal and a great view? This restaurant serves both before you board the pirate ship.
Bakery & Table Hakone – Cross the lake for this lovely restaurants serving pastries, sandwiches, and coffee with lake views.
La Terrazza (Vegetarian-Friendly) - Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, green foliage, and lake views.
Daimasa Motohakone - Seafood donburi (ride bowl) restaurant with generous heaping of fresh seafood.
Take the Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise
From Togendai, board the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (a pirate-style boat) and ride across the peaceful Lake Ashi to Motohakone Port or Hakonemachi Port.
Cruise time: 30–40 minutes
✔ Great views of mountains and forests
✔ Sometimes Mount Fuji can be seen from the boat
✔ Fun experience for all ages
Visit Hakone Shrine
After getting off the cruise at Motohakone Port, walk about 10 minutes to reach the beautiful Hakone Shrine, hidden in the forest.
What to do:
✔ Walk the path lined with tall trees
✔ See the red Torii gate in the water — a perfect photo spot
✔ Visit the main shrine building and make a wish
✔ Explore the peaceful shrine grounds
Take a Tea or Dessert Break in Motohakone
After visiting the shrine, take a break at a nearby café or tea shop.
Recommended Cafés:
PaPiPuPePo – Adorable cafe, with an adorable name, run by an adorable elderly couple.
Café Komon (Vegan-Friendly) – Matcha drinks, sweets, and plant-based desserts.
Obanshojaya - If you want to eat right by the lake, visit this lakeside cafe right by Hakone Checkpoint for soft serve and dango.
Visit the Hakone Checkpoint (If You Have Time)
If you have extra time and energy, you can visit the Hakone Sekisho (Checkpoint Museum) near Hakonemachi Port.
Entry fee: About ¥500
What it is:
✔ A historic checkpoint from the Edo period
✔ Learn how travelers were checked during ancient times
✔ Great lake views and a walk through history
Take the Bus Back to Your Hotel
From Motohakone Port, take a Hakone Tozan Bus back toward your hotel.
If you’re staying near Hakone-Yumoto, take the bus directly there.
If you're staying near Gora, transfer at a nearby stop.
