Hakone Round Course with Gotemba Premium Outlet Day Trip from Tokyo

The first thing that comes to my mind about Japan is Mt. Fuji. It is the country’s icon for me growing up. Visiting Japan would somehow be incomplete for me without at least seeing Mt. Fuji.

We allotted our second day in Japan for our Hakone Round Course and visit to Gotemba Premium Outlet day trip with high hopes of being able to see Mt. Fuji.

We would have bought the famous JR pass to go around but thorough research showed me that it doesn’t cover all the places we intend to visit. So I searched and opted for other passes which proved to be way cheaper and more useful for our itinerary: the 72-hour Tokyo Metro Pass which covered all the places we went to around Tokyo and the Hakone Pass which covered all the rides we needed to and around Hakone and back to Tokyo.

Hostel East57, Asakusabashi Station to Shinjuku Station

We woke up very early because traveling from Tokyo to the Hakone area where we hoped to see Mt. Fuji takes around two hours. 

Ride the train from Asakusabashi Station (A16) to Higashi-Nihombashi station (A15). Transfer to the Shinjuku line / Yellowgreen line / Bakuro Yokoyama Station (S09) for Shinjuku Station (S01). Travel time: 20 minutes, 9 stops, Fare: None on Tokyo Pass, otherwise JPY400 ~ Php200.

Shinjuku to Hakone Area, Odawara Station

Transfer to the Odakyu Line at Shinjuku station to board the train to Odawara station. Travel time: 90 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY880~Php440.

It was hard to fall asleep when there are good views and good looks around but I still had a good catch up with dear elusive sleep before we alighted at Odawara station. 

Let’s begin our Hakone Round Course!

1. Odawara Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station by Train

Transfer to the Hakone Tozan line to ride the train from Odawara station to Hakone-Yumoto station. Travel time: 15 minutes, Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY310 ~ Php155.

Just arrived at Hakone-Yumoto station. On our way to the bus stop downstairs for Motohakone-ko.

2. Hakone-Yumoto Station to Motohakone-ko by Bus

Exit Hakone-Yumoto station and take Hakone Tozan Bus H to alight at Motohakone-ko. Travel time: 32 minutes, Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY960 ~ Php480

We bought water at a Ministop convenience store outside the Motohakone-ko boarding area for the Pirate Cruise Ship to energize us as we start our walk to Hakonemachi-ko. 

3. Motohakone-ko to Hakonemachi-ko by Walking 

Start walking under the canopy of trees and visit the Onshi Hakone park on the way as you walk to Hakonemachi-ko, another boarding point for the Pirate Cruise ship. Walking time: 20 to 30 minutes, Free admission on Onshi Hakone Park.

Alternatively, you can board the Hakone Pirate Cruise Ship or continue to ride Hakone Tozan Bus H from Motohakone-ko to Hakonemachi-ko. 

I personally recommend walking this relatively short distance if you are fit for it and make a quick stop at Onshi-Hakone park. Nothing can quite beat walking in close contact with trees and nature. 

4. Hakonemachi-ko to Togendai-ko by Hakone Pirate Cruise Ship

Board the Pirate Cruise Ship from Hakonemachi-ko to Togendai-ko for a good and relaxing view of Lake Ashinoko and Mt. Fuji if the weather is in your favor. Travel time: 35 minutes, Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY1000 ~ Php500.

We really hoped to see Mt. Fuji while cruising on the lake but it was too shy and only hid behind the clouds. 

5. Togendai to Sounzan by Hakone Ropeway

We then boarded the Hakone Ropeway from Togendai to Sounzan with a necessary stop and transfer at Owakudani. It was a scenic ride as we passed over Owakudani Valley where just a few feet below us was the steaming active and sulfuric land. Travel time: 30 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY1480 ~ Php740 

6. Sounzan to Gora by Hakone Cable Car

From Sounzan, we boarded the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Gora where we decided to rest for a while, eat lunch, and visit Gora Park. Travel time: 10 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY420 ~ Php210

Gora Park is just a 5-minute walk and stroll from Gora station.

7. Gora to Gotemba Premium Outlet by Bus

We then queued at Bus Stop 3 outside Gora station before the scheduled departure of Bus Route M which goes directly to Gotemba Premium Outlet.

Ask around to be sure you are boarding the right bus to your intended destination. Travel time: 45 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY990 ~ Php495. Bus schedule: Hourly.

We visited the Gotemba Premium Outlet for two main reasons. First, to have a good view of Mt Fuji. Second, to buy a good pair of shoes at a very good (synonym: low) price.

We walked around the Gotemba outlet in the afternoon and even lingered in this exact area for a while to meet Mt. Fuji but he never showed up. Ouch!

8. Gotemba Premium Outlet to Gora by Bus

We had no choice but to leave without ever seeing Mt. Fuji throughout the day. We queued for the hourly bus back to Gora station late in the afternoon. Travel time: 45 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY990 ~ Php495. 

Tips on Bus Trips:

Bus trips around the Hakone area include steep roads with sharp turns so either be very active to overcome or learn how to sleep easily to disregard however it will affect you. 

Make sure to check the last bus trips from your pick up points and be at the bus stop the latest on the second to the last trip just in case the queue gets too long.

9. Gora Station to Shinjuku Station, Tokyo by Train

1. Take the Hakonetozan Line train from Gora Station to Hakone Yumoto Station. 

2. Transfer to the Hakonetozan Line train at Hakone Yumoto Station to Odawara Station. 

3. Transfer to the Odakyu Line at Odawara station to board the train to Shinjuku station. (Travel time: 2 hours 32 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass, otherwise JPY1550~Php775.)

We did the recommended Hakone round course to maximize our pass which included unlimited rides. 

We rode the trains, buses, railway, Pirate Cruise ship, cable car, and ropeway. We ended our day at Gotemba Premium Outlet before going back to Tokyo. 

All of these were covered by our Hakone pass. We only spent cash for our food and the things we bought at the Gotemba Premium Outlet.

We never saw Mt Fuji, not even at least its silhouette behind the clouds or its snow cap. This day wasn’t the day that we were supposed to see Mt. Fuji. Maybe we have to go back someday.

Or maybe I have to climb Mt. Fuji someday to appreciate and experience its beauty and grandeur.

I may not have seen Mt. Fuji on this trip but I will be basking on many things Disney at Tokyo Disneysea the next day! 🙂