The Model Plan of Hakone

by Editorial TeamAutumn, HakonePosted on Comments are Disabled

In this blog, I am going to tell you the model plans of Hakone for 1 day and 2 days.

Hakone is a resort area that you can access easily from Tokyo and you can enjoy hot springs, beautiful sightseeing, shopping, and historical places.

You can stay for just one day or two days to enjoy this resort spot by car and train, called Odakyu Line.

If you would like to know about Hakone more, Please access this link.

Odakyu Line offers an express line that allows you to go to Hakone from Shinjuku Station directly and faster. However, you can get there by ordinary train, which takes a long time.

In the winter, sometimes we can not climb the mountain by car because of snow. Therefore I will give you some model plans for using only trains and buses.

Model plan of Hakone for 1 day

You can access Hakone for just one and a half hours from Shinjuku station.

So you can enjoy Hakone for 1 day without staying at the hotel. However, you would rather stay at Hakone for two days so that you can relax at the hotel. Sometimes a person who has a tattoo is prohibited from using a hot spring.

Morning

Take a Romancecar – 8:00~9:30

The Romancecar is an express train that connects Shinjuku with Hakone, allowing you to reach Hakone in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can purchase tickets from here.

Reference

Owakudani and Ashino Lake – 9:45~11:30

9:45 AM Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora Station.

10:15 AM At Gora Station, transfer to the cable car and head to Sounzan Station

10:45 AM From Sounzan Station, take the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani, which is a volcanic area where you can enjoy boiled eggs cooked in the hot springs and amazing view of Mount Fuji from ropeway.

Owakudani

11:30 AM Continue on the ropeway to Lake Ashi, where you can take a stroll by the lakeside or hop on a cruise boat.

Afternoon

Ashino Lake

12:30 PM Have lunch at a restaurant around Lake Ashi. Local specialties such as kamaboko(fish cake) or Hakone soba are recommended.

Ashinoko Chaya(Reference)

Hakone Open-Air Museum → Hakone Yumoto Onsen

1:30 PM Head to The Hakone Open-Air Museum to enjoy an afternoon of art and sculpture viewing.

3:00 PM Return to Hakone-Yumoto and relax at a day-use onsen facility such as Hakone Yuryo.

Hakone Yumoto → Shinjuku

5:30 PM Depart from Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Romancecar bound for Shinjuku.

7:00 PM Arrive at Shinjuku Station.

Model plan of Hakone for 2 days

Access

Before I am going to talk about the model plan of Hakone, I highly recommend purchasing the Hakone Freepass in planning a two-day trip to Hakone. Hakone offers numerous attractions, many of which are spread out, requiring the use of various modes of transportation.

This pass allows unlimited access to buses, trains, cable cars, and boats within the Hakone area. Additionally, it covers the cost of regular round-trip train fare from Shinjuku to Hakone (excluding the Romancecar express surcharge).

It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to explore Hakone, so be sure to consider it for your trip!

Click here to book the Freepass

Day 1

Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto → Gora

8:00 AM Depart from Shinjuku Station on the Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto (90 minutes).

9:30 AM Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station.

10:00 AM Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora (approximately 40 minutes).

11:00 AM Arrive at Gora Station. Check in at Gora Kansuiro (leave your luggage and head out for sightseeing).

Reference

Owakudani & Lake Ashi

12:00 PM Take the cable car and ropeway to Owakudani.

1:00 PM Enjoy hot spring eggs and the volcanic scenery at Owakudani.

2:00 PM Ride the ropeway to Lake Ashi, take a cruise on the lake, and enjoy the scenic views.

3:30 PM Visit Hakone Shrine and stroll through the cedar-lined path.

Ashino Lake

Gora Onsen

5:00 PM Return to Gora Kansuiro and relax in the onsen.

6:30 PM Enjoy a seasonal kaiseki dinner at the ryokan.

Day 2

9:00 AM After breakfast, enjoy the garden and onsen before checking out.

10:30 AM After checking out, Head to the Hakone Open-Air Museum (a 5-minute walk) for art viewing.

12:00 PM Stroll through Gora Park and enjoy a light meal or tea at a café in the park.

Hakone-Yumoto → Shinjuku

2:00 PM Travel from Gora to Hakone-Yumoto.

3:00 PM Relax at a final onsen in Hakone-Yumoto (if time allows).

4:00 PM Take the Romancecar back to Shinjuku.

5:30 PM Arrive in Shinjuku.

[Must-Go] Places to visit together with Mount Takao.

by Editorial TeamAll, Autumn, Free, Places, TokyoPosted on Comments are Disabled

Mount Takao (高尾山) is one of the most accessible natural destinations near Tokyo, offering beautiful hiking trails, serene temples, and stunning views of the surrounding area.

Located just about an hour from central Tokyo, it’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking for a quick escape into nature without straying too far from the city.

Whether you’re seeking a leisurely walk or a more challenging hike, This has something to offer everyone.

In addition, you can access here to use only Keio Line from Shinjuku.

This mountain is good in autumn season if you would like to explore more about Japanese autumn, please visit here

How to access to Mount Takao

You can access Mount Takao for an hour by using the Keio Line.

If you would like to go there from Shinjuku Station,

the only thing you have to do is just take the train which is gonna head to TakaoSanguchi.

Reference from: https://www.guidoor.jp/lp/4147

Recommended Restaurant near Mount Takao

Ukai Toriyama

Budget: $100~(Per person)

Type: Charcoal-grilled

Access： 10 min from Takao Station by the free shuttle bus.

Here is the Link

Reference from: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1329/A132905/13006021/

Bin-Bin Takao

Budget: ~$10(Per person)

Type: Ramen Restaurant

Access： 3 min from Takao Station by walk

Here is the Link

https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1329/A132905/13188042/

Takao San Fumotoya

Budget: ~$20(Per person)

Type: Italian Restaurant

Access：3 min from Takao Station by walk

Here is the Link

Reference from: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1329/A132905/13098826/

Recommend Some Place in Mount Takao

Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu

Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu is a serene hot spring facility located at the base of Mount Takao, right next to Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line.

This hot spring offers a perfect way to relax after a day of hiking or exploring the mountain.

Reference from: https://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/bath.html

Opening hours: 8am – 10:30pm (Last entry: 9:45pm)

Entrance fee: ¥1100~(Adult) ¥550(Child)

Link: https://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/info.html

Access: 2min from Takaosan Station by walk

Reference from: https://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/info.html#p03

TAKAO599 Museum

The Takao 599 Museum is a unique facility located near the base of Mount Takao, dedicated to showcasing the rich natural environment of the mountain.

The museum’s name, “599,” represents the elevation of Mount Takao, which is 599 meters above sea level.

Reference from: https://www.takao599museum.jp/about/?lang=en

Opening hours:

8:00～17:00 (from April to November) (Last admission at 16:30)

8:00～16:00 (from December to March) (Last admission at 15:30)

Entrance fee: Free

Link: https://www.takao599museum.jp/about/?lang=en

Access:

Reference from: https://www.takao599museum.jp/about/?lang=en

[Must-see]This is the guide discovering Tokyo in Autumn Season!

by Editorial TeamAll, Autumn, Places, Season GuidePosted on Comments are Disabled

There many places that you must go around on Autumn in Tokyo.

In autumn season, there are a bunch of ginkgo trees along to the road and you could see that while you are walking in Tokyo. However, if you would like to explore more in autumn season in Tokyo, you would rather go to the suburb of Tokyo.

So here is the guideline to go around Tokyo so that you can feel Japanese autumn.

Here is the link for exploring the other season in Japan. Please visit it!

Takao Mountain

This is the mountain in Tokyo and you can visit there within one day.

There are vast areas of autumn foliage, and with hot springs nearby, this is a highly recommended spot to enjoy the beauty of Japan’s autumn.

From Shinjuku, you can go there to use only Keio Train which is going to head Takao Sanguchi.

If you would like to explore more, please visit this site.

https://mttakaomagazine.com/event/koyo

EnoShima(Eno Island)

Enoshima is a small island located in Kanagawa Prefecture, right next to Kamakura.

Therefore, it’s possible to visit Enoshima while you’re in Kamakura, and it can also be done as a day trip.

Although it is bustling with tourists year-round, autumn brings a special charm with its Candle Festival, creating a stunning atmosphere. It’s definitely the place that you must go in autumn in Japan.

If you would like to explore more, please visit the official site

Kegon Waterfall

Kegon Falls is a famous waterfall located in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, and is a well-known tourist destination.

This area is also renowned for the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a former shogun, which adds historical significance to the site.

The traditional architecture of the buildings is both impressive and gorgeous. In autumn, the combination of colorful fall foliage and the majestic waterfall makes it a perfect time to visit.

If you would like to explore more, please visit the official site

https://www.kegon.jp/kegon/

FROM THE BLOG

Latest News

Discover the Best things of each season in Tokyo

by Editorial TeamAll, Autumn, Places, Season Guide, Spring, Summer, WinterPosted on Comments are Disabled

こんにちは！(Hello! in Japanese). I’m Keita and I’m From Tokyo in Japan. Japan is a country of stunning seasonal contrasts, offering something unique and atmosphere for each season in Tokyo.

Whether you’re chasing cherry blossoms in spring, basking in summer festivals, admiring autumn foliage, or enjoying winter’s snowy landscapes,

Japan has a season that’s perfect for your travel dreams.

Here’s a guide to help you experience the best things of each season in Tokyo and if you explore more for each season, there is the link for each season guide below this article.

And if you would like to know the news, please visit here

Spring (March to May): Cherry Blossom

Spring is synonymous with cherry blossoms in Japan. From late March to early April, the entire country turns pink as sakura trees bloom.

Join locals in hanami (flower viewing) picnics under the cherry blossoms, and don’t miss night-time illuminations that make the blossoms glow beautifully.

If you are interested to come in spring, I made the list that makes you easy to trip in Tokyo in spring.(Click this link)

Summer (June to August): Festivals and Fireworks

Summer in Japan is all about vibrant festivals and dazzling fireworks displays.

Each region celebrates with its unique traditions, from dancing in the streets to parading massive floats.

Be sure to wear a yukata (summer kimono) and enjoy festival foods like yakisoba and takoyaki.

And Fireworks is really famous among Japanese and when it comes to big festivals, they always set off fireworks.

If you are interested to come in summer, I made the list that makes you easy to trip in Tokyo in summer.(Click this link)

Autumn (September to November): Fall Foliage

Japan’s landscapes are painted with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows as the leaves change color.

Take a leisurely stroll through temples and gardens, or hike through mountains to fully appreciate the beauty of Koyo.

If you are interested to come in autumn, I made the list that makes you easy to trip in Tokyo in autumn.(Click this link)

Winter (December to February): Snowy Adventures and Illuminations

Winter in Japan is a wonderland of snow-covered landscapes and stunning illuminations.

There are a lot of places which you can enjoy winter sports and there are some Christmas festivals in Japan which is really famous among Japanese and those festivals are different from the other countries festivals.

If you are interested to come in winter, I made the list that makes you easy to trip in Tokyo in winter.(Click this link)