Visit Hakone and hope to see Mount Fuji

Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 19 July 2026

On our first trip to Japan, we left Tokyo to visit Hakone with one goal in mind: to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji, which rises to 3,776 meters. However, catching a glimpse of this iconic symbol of Japan is sometimes a matter of luck, as it’s often hidden behind clouds. So, were we able to see it? Find out in the article!

Hakone is also a destination like no other for another reason: here, different modes of transportation follow one another at an astonishing pace. So, in the span of a single day, you can experience an incredible variety of modes of transportation—including cable cars, gondolas, boats, and trains—making your visit both fun and unique.

So, in this article, I’ll take you on a tour of Hakone, the perfect destination for a day trip from Tokyo. And at the end of the article, check out Kiki’s review—he’s still thinking about the black eggs from Owakudani.

Where is Hakone? 

Hakone is located in central Japan, in Kanagawa Prefecture, west of Tokyo. The town is nestled in a mountainous region, in the heart of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. To be more precise, Hakone is about 90 km from Tokyo and 370 km from Kyoto.

How do I get to Hakone?

To get to Hakone from Tokyo Shinjuku Station, you can take an Odakyu train. You’ll need to transfer at Odawara to reach Hakone Yumoto Station. However, you can upgrade your ticket to reserve a seat on the Romance Car, a direct train to Hakone Yumoto departing from Tokyo Shinjuku Station. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

That’s what we did after our five days in Tokyo, and we didn’t regret our choice for our first train trip in Japan. It’s very comfortable with plenty of space, and of course, it’s clean! To find this train at Tokyo Shinjuku Station, follow the Odakyu Line and scan the QR code. Be sure to leave early—the station is huge! 

For practical reasons, rather than taking our suitcases with us to Hakone, we left them at the hotel in Tokyo, which arranged to have them sent to our hotel in Kyoto. So, in Hakone, we only carried a backpack, which was really nice given how crowded the buses were and how little space there was inside.

Visit Hakone and take a cruise on Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi is an iconic landmark of Hakone, with Mount Fuji serving as a backdrop on clear days. To enjoy the view, you can hop aboard a pirate ship for a cruise. 

You’ll see the floating torii gate at Hakone-jinja Shrine.

On the first day, we went on the cruise, but we didn’t see Mount Fuji. The next day, we were much luckier and were able to see it.

Need a little tip? For a few extra yen, upgrade your ticket at the ticket window to first class. It’ll be much less crowded, and best of all, you’ll get the best views! 

There are three stops on this cruise: Hakone-machi-ko, Motohakone-ko, and Togendai. The crossing from Hakone-machi-ko to Togendai takes 45 minutes.

Explore the Owakudani Valley in Hakone

Take the Hakone Ropeway to soar over the Owakudani volcanic valley, famous for its hot springs.

The atmosphere is really very strange, and the smell, in particular, is quite strong.

You can walk across a glass walkway to take in the view!

As a good tourist, you simply can’t miss out on trying the black eggs from Owakudani. These are eggs boiled in sulfur-rich water. Is it a tourist trap? Yes, definitely—after all, they’re just eggs! But if you do this in the morning, you’ll get your protein for the day, since the eggs are sold in packs of four! 

Before you leave, be sure to visit the Hakone Geo Museum. For just 100 yen, it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s a quick tour, but it’s a great way to learn about the history of this site (everything is translated into English). And there are even some fun little experiments to try.

And if you’re lucky, enjoy the view of Mount Fuji, whether from the cable car or from Owakudani.

If you’re lucky, this is definitely one of the best views of Mount Fuji in Hakone!

Go to Onshi Park to see Mount Fuji

If you’re in Moto-Hakone, we highly recommend visiting Onshi Park. There’s a beautiful walking trail through the heart of the park and around Lake Ashi.

And you’ll have an incredible view of Mount Fuji.

If you’re lucky and the visibility is good, this is definitely one of the best places to admire Mount Fuji, with an unobstructed view and, best of all, very few people around.

In addition, in the center of the park, you can also visit the Imperial Pavilion, the imperial family’s former summer retreat.

It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers visitors the chance to learn more about the site’s history while enjoying a beautiful view of the gardens and the lake.

Visit the Temples and Shrine of Hakone

As you stroll around Moto-Hakone and Lake Ashi, you can easily combine a short nature walk with a visit to several temples and shrines.

The trails wind through very peaceful wooded areas, with tall cedar trees and a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.

The highlight of this walk is the Hakone-jinja Shrine (which can be seen from the boat during the cruise on Lake Ashi). Nestled in the forest, it stands out for its red torii gates, one of which is located on the shore of Lake Ashi and offers a particularly photogenic setting. However, we didn’t have the patience to wait for the tourists to take 15 photos of themselves so we could snap a nice shot!

Around the sanctuary, you’ll also find small temples and traditional buildings. 

A beautiful walk you won’t want to miss during your visit to Hakone.

Go to the Mishima Skywalk to see Mount Fuji

The Mishima Skywalk is one of the most impressive attractions in the region.

This is Japan’s longest pedestrian bridge, suspended more than 70 meters above the ground. As you cross it, you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and, on a clear day, of Mount Fuji, which reveals itself in all its splendor.

The ride is pretty quick, but it’s definitely worth the trip—especially for the view of Mount Fuji and the sensation of being high up.

Once you’re on the other side, there are several activities to choose from, such as tree-top adventure courses and zip lines for thrill-seekers.

The site is also well laid out, featuring the Sky Garden, which is home to restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. 

From Hakone, you can take the bus (N65) to the Mishima Skywalk. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on your exact departure point (Motohakone-ko, Hakone-machi, etc.) and traffic conditions. Please note that the last bus leaves the Mishima Skywalk at 5:11 p.m.

A handy tip to visit Hakone: The Hakone Free Pass

The Hakone Free Pass is essential for visiting Hakone and getting around easily. It allows you to use various modes of transportation, including the train, the Tozan Hakone Cable Car, the boat on Lake Ashi, the funicular, and the Hakone Tozan buses. It also includes the train ride from Tokyo.

When you purchase the pass, you can choose the duration (1, 2, or 3 days). Even if you’re staying for two days and leaving early in the morning on the third day, buy a 3-day pass because the trip between Hakone and Odawara is quite expensive (about 2,000 yen). We got taken for a ride—and it was our own fault! 

How do you get around Hakone?

Once you arrive in Hakone Yumoto, if you don’t have any luggage and want to start exploring Hakone right away, you can take the Hakone Tozan Line to Gora. The ride takes 35 minutes and winds through the wooded valley, passing over bridges and through tunnels, and stopping at small stations.

Otherwise, if your hotel is in Motohakone-ko or you want to start your tour with a cruise on Lake Ashi, you’ll need to take the H bus… To find it, just follow the crowd—everyone takes the same one. Unfortunately, the wait is very long, especially if you have to let several buses leave before you can board.

From Hakone Yumoto, take the train to Gora, then transfer to the funicular to reach Mount Sounzan (a 10-minute ride). From there, take the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani. Next, you can take the ropeway to Togendai, on the northern shore of Lake Ashi. Return by boat to Moto-Hakone or Hakone-Machi. Finish your trip by taking the bus back to Hakone Yumoto. 

From Motohakone-ko, take the H bus to Kowakidani Station to catch the train to Gora Station. Get off after two stops. From there, take the funicular to Mount Sounzan, then transfer to the cable car to reach Owakudani. Next, take the cable car back to Togendai, on the northern shore of Lake Ashi, and return by boat to Moto-Hakone. 

Do you feel like you haven’t understood anything and are lost? That’s normal! Check out this website—you’ll find all the practical information and maps you need to help you. 

When is the best time to visit Hakone?

You can visit Hakone year-round, but each season has its own unique charm:

• Spring: Cherry blossoms add a touch of poetry to walks.
• Summer: Enjoy hiking and unobstructed views of Mount Fuji.
• Fall: The red and golden maple trees make the scenery spectacular.
• Winter: The air is clearer, making it ideal for admiring Mount Fuji, and the onsen are especially pleasant.

We went to Hakone in early October. The temperatures were perfect, but unfortunately there was no snow on Mount Fuji. Also, as you can see in the photos, it was very crowded. That’s because early October coincides with China’s Golden Week, a holiday period during which many Chinese tourists travel to Japan.

How many days should you spend visiting Hakone?

We arrived in Hakone Yumoto from Tokyo late in the morning and then spent a full day in Hakone. Then, we left early the next day for Kyoto. We rented a car to spend a day in Nara and visit Kinosaki Onsen. We then ended our trip to Japan in Osaka.

It’s possible to visit Hakone in a single day from Tokyo, but we don’t recommend it. First of all, you have to factor in the wait times for the various modes of transportation (buses, gondolas, cable cars), and you also have to keep in mind that you’ll need to be lucky to see Mount Fuji—it’s not just a myth. So if you can’t see it on the day you arrive, you might have better luck the next day. By the way, check out this article for all our tips on your first trip to Japan.

The day we arrived, we weren’t able to see it. The next day, the view was clear and incredible. In fact, several people told us we were really lucky to see it. To maximize your chances, there’s a website that lets you check the visibility of Mount Fuji.

Where to stay in Hakone?

We stayed at the Hakone Hotel, which is located in Moto-Hakone. We were incredibly lucky because our room had a view of Mount Fuji. In fact, that’s where we saw it for the first time!

This neighborhood is perfect because there’s a bus stop (H) for the bus to Odawara, which stops at Kowakidani Station so you can catch the train. There’s also a shopping arcade and several restaurants and souvenir shops. In short, it’s ideal for visiting Hakone!

Kiki’s review of her visit to Hakone

What is the highlight of any trip to Japan? Mount Fuji, of course! But it’s not quite that simple, as you’ve seen after reading this article. So Kiki would like to share a few stories with you on this topic.

Story # 1: where is Mount Fuji?

There are many places from which you can theoretically see Mount Fuji. But only if the mountain cooperates and no clouds hide it. Otherwise, you’re left standing there wondering, “Shouldn’t there be something there?” ” Out of sheer desperation, Kiki even asked a local guide. The guide pointed her in a direction where—you guessed it—there were nothing but clouds. Ah, so that’s where the famous mountain is—or rather, where it would be. That’s probably the case for most tourists. So be prepared for disappointment.

Story # 2: Mount Fuji is a volcano!

You’re probably thinking, “Of course! It’s obvious!”

Well, Kiki didn’t come to that brilliant conclusion until later. But everything became clear during his visit to the Owakudani Valley. With the smell of sulfur in his nostrils and clouds of steam everywhere, he briefly thought he was in Yellowstone National Park. Okay, fine—we’re in a huge volcanic area!

Story #3: You can’t think of anything else but black eggs!

Do people need black eggs? No. Do they taste any different from white eggs? No, not at all. Did everyone buy them anyway and eat them right away? Of course they did!

And that’s exactly what caused Sophie and Kiki a problem: suddenly, they couldn’t think of anything but those mysterious black eggs. Pure peer pressure. Or as we call it: the herd mentality. Blindly following the herd. How reassuring it is to be just like everyone else.

Looking back, we can say that Mount Fuji—once the diva has finally revealed herself—is one of the most fascinating mountains there is. Not because it’s particularly tall or spectacularly rocky, but because it’s capricious. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it isn’t. And that is precisely what makes it so special.

Because when it finally reveals itself, you’re simply happy to have experienced that unique moment. And for a moment, you even forget about the black eggs.