Part of our Japan 6 Days 6 Nights includes Hakone-Fuji Free and Easy Tour. We purchase our pass at Shinjuku Odaikyu
Office and strongly advisable to purchase the pass in advance. There is high
chance of tickets being sold out. In addition, one has to select the timing for
return ticket (Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku). You can check out the time schedule for Shinjuku to Hakone and timetable for Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku below.
Tokyo to Hakone by Bus
or Romance car 
Travelling by bus is a cheaper
alternative compare to taking Romance Car. However, travelling by Romance Car
is faster. Travel by bus takes 2h 30 min and Romance Car takes 1h 25 minutes.
Also one will have to transfer at Gotemba before reaching Hakone. Romance car
have direct route to Hakone. Although romance car comes with “ Scenic View”,
both H & I thought that there was not much view to look out for. Nonetheless,
we chose the lateral option because time was not on our side and we had to
check in back at the Ryokan before 7pm. Plus, Romance car is more comfortable
for my parents.
Tip: Bring your own lunch bento/food
onboard the train because it is the worse meal I had in Japan.
Luggage service at
Hakone-Yumoto Station
We were amazed by the service Japanese
provides. Before our trip, we were still thinking if we should check in to the
hotel before setting off for sight seeing in Hakone. Thankfully there are
luggage services available in Hakone station. Price for one luggage is between
700 – 1000. Free pass holders are entitled to 100 yen off the service.
Accommodation
We stayed in Ryokan instead of Hotel
because we wanted to immerse ourselves into the Japanese Culture (or try to be
like one!). Perks of staying in Ryokan allow us to have unlimited access to
Osen! We top it off with a half-board package (include dinner).
A stay in a Ryokan does not come cheap. A
basic one ryokan such as Mount View Hakone cost around 30,000 yen compared to Wakakusa no
Yado Maruei Ryokan, a middle class Ryokan which cost around 50,000 yen per night.
Mount View Hakone gave a rustic feeling
while we were there. Although there are signs of age, it is still pretty cozy. Also,
it is one of the cheapest Ryokan we could find during hanami season. The
downside? It does not comes with a shower bath room and amenities seems pretty
old too.
Unlike Mount View Hakone, the ryokan we
stay in Kawaguchiko is very refreshing. Although! Wakakusa no
Yado Maruei Ryokan is a little
more expensive, it is worth every cent. You get the entire Fuji View during
Osen. Plus, the room is very comfortable. We will be back for the view and the
service! Tip: There are free shuttle service from bus station to the ryokan
too!
There are many local bus going around
Hakone, bringing you from attractions to attraction. The major ones have more bus
frequency and they end late in the evening. However do note that if you want to
visit places like Bank Miyagino, you have to go in the morning. Frequency of buses that goes to that area are one hour apart in the evening.
Google map was our best friend and
second was the very helpful Japanese we met. With Hakone-Fuji pass in hand, you
have access to unlimited rides. Do note not to misplace the ticket. I
almost lost mine and had to pay 390 yen for 3 stops!
Transportation in
Kawaguchiko
Unlike Hakone, not all bus
transportation are free. Thankfully the ones we visit such as Kachi-kachi
ropeway and Arakurayama
Sengen Park are free. Also, there are many officers or traffic controller in
Kawaguchiko station in Kawaguchiko Bus Terminal giving direction advice! This
makes travelling so much easier! Thumbs up for Japanese Service!
Day 1- Hakone
Although Hakone is very accessible to
visit from attractions to attractions, it is difficult to complete the entire
route in one day. Instead of going by the recommended itinerary, we went the
opposite direction to avoid crowd. You can refer the map here.
From Hakone-Yumoto, we start off the
trail by taking Hakone-Tozan (Red Bus) towards Hakone-Machi direction and
alight at Motohakone-ko. From there, we took a stroll from Lake Ashi and walk
pass Hakone Stone Pave. I love the forest-view along Hakone Stone Pave as well
as the calming effect that place gave.
Then, we walk over to Hakone Checkpoint
before boarding the cruise at Hakone-Machi Port. The Cruise ride is
approximately 30 minutes and stop at Hakone Jin-Ja Shrine (which I thought it will be nice to visit! The
symbolic gate!) Unfortunately, time was not on our side. We alight at Togendai
before taking ropeway up in the mid air for another scenic view. One can see Mt
Fuji on good days. If not, it will be like taking cable car from Mt Faber in
Singapore to Sentosa.
We skip Owakudani Valley because it is
close. Then, we took a bus and Hakone Tozan to Hakone Yumato Station. I love
the Sakura view there. Plus we found one restaurant nearby selling really good
Tempura Soba! To end the day, we took a bus from Hakone-Yumato Station back to
Mt View Hakone Ryokan.
Day 2 Hakone -
Kawaguchiko
Next morning, we visited Bank Miyagino for
more sakura! We were very fortunate to witness full bloom and they were super
gorgeous! Then, we took a bus to Gotemba Station for lunch before heading to
Kawaguchiko. Go check out the restaurant nearby and go for their lunch set
meal! They are good and very affordable! Time table from Gotemba Station to Kawaguchiko below
On our way to Kawaguchiko, H suggested
us to alight at Yamanako as it was still early for dinner. & that place is stunning!
One can take the lake boat to tour around but we decide to hang out and wait
for the next bus. Lesser crowd makes everything nicer too! We had the entire
lake to ourselves.
Upon arrival, we head over to the
tourist center and called the Ryokan for free shuttle service. With Mt Fuji
staring at us, it is difficult not to get excited! Settled our dinner in Wakakusa no
Yado Maruei Ryokan and end the day!
Day 3-Kawaguchiko-Shinjuku
Set off the day around 10am cause we cant bear to leave the
Ryokan. First stop was kachi-kachi ropeway. I honestly think it was a bad
choice, considering it is the top attraction in Kawaguchiko. There are nothing
to see when the weather is bad. Plus there is a long queue and cost 800 yen for
return. Totally wasted our entire morning there.
Next, we made our way to Arakurayama Sengen Park and
wish that I had visited there in the morning. We didn’t manage to walk up the
top but the view below is already gorgeous! H promised to bring me back next
time! Head back to Kawaguchiko station and took our bus back to Shinjuku.
Overall, I think there are more sight to
visit in Kawaguchiko than Hakone. Although a lot of attraction depends on the
weather, I enjoyed myself more in Kawaguchiko than Hakone. Both have its own
beauty but my heart was capatured by the onsen view in Wakakusa no
Yado Maruei Ryokan.
