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If you are looking for a relaxing getaway from Tokyo, 2 days in Hakone is exactly what the doctor recommends!
Hakone is a picturesque town about two hours south of Tokyo. It is known for its relaxing hot springs, lush landscapes, and picture-perfect views of Mount Fuji over Lake Ashinoko.
Its peaceful vibe completely contrasts the madness of Tokyo, which is why it’s one of the top places to visit in Japan for first-timers, to get a well-rounded Japanese experience.
Its short distance from the buzzing capital makes it the perfect 2-day trip destination to add to your Tokyo itinerary.
And while you can spend a lifetime in Tokyo and not see it all—believe me, I lived here for six months—I believe it’s worthwhile to venture out of the futuristic capital and experience other sides of Japan, like the charming Kamakura and the tranquil Hakone.
In this post you will learn how to spend 2 days in Hakone, featuring unmissable sights along the way, the top things to do, where to eat, and the affordable ryokan with a private onsen where we stayed.
2 Days In Hakone: The Ultimate Relaxing Getaway From Tokyo
How to get from Tokyo to Hakone
While there are different ways to get to Hakone from Tokyo, the easiest and fastest way by public transportation is to take the JR Tokaido Line—this is a local line, not the Shinkansen.
You can take the Tokaido Line from Tokyo Station—or whichever station is closest to you—all the way to Odawara Station, where you will then change lines onto the Hakonetozan Line until you arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station.
This is the fastest route, taking you a little bit less than 2 hours to get to beautiful Hakone from Tokyo.
- Train frequency: Tokaido Line departs almost every 10 minutes, and Hakonetozan Line trains depart almost every 20 minutes.
- Price: The trip including both train lines will cost 1,878 JPY (12 USD) one way.
If you want to not have the logistical stress of planning your trip to Hakone, you can opt for a Tokyo to Hakone day trip tour that already includes transportation and activities for ease of mind.
Day 1: Pit stop in Odawara and arrival in Hakone
Morning: Visit the iconic Odawara Castle
There is so much to see in Japan and so little time, so might as well be efficient with it.
To make your way to Hakone you will inevitably end up in Odawara Station to change lines. This gives you the perfect opportunity to tick another Japanese icon off your list, the imposing Odawara Castle.
Just about a 10-minute short walk from the train station, Odawara Castle stands tall and majestic… and looks exactly like the emoji.🏯
Odawara Castle was originally built in the mid-15th century and has been through some damage over the years due to earthquakes and dismantling, but it has since been restored to its full glory.
Take some time to wander the grounds and the beautiful gardens. You can also pay to enter the castle, but honestly, the main attraction is admiring its structure from the outside.
Check-in at Hakone Tent (or accommodation of choice)
After spending some time exploring the closest castle to Tokyo, it’s time to keep moving to our final destination, the relaxing Hakone.
Catch the next train to Hakone, and once in the city make your way to your stay for the night.
We chose Onsen Guesthouse Hakone Tent, a great affordable ryokan with a private onsen, which is exactly what we wanted.
If you arrive before check-in you can kill some time and get yourself a drink at their little hotel bar, or go straight to lunch at our next spot.
I recommend arriving early to check in before lunch so you can book a time slot for the onsen, as this is on a first-come, first-served basis.
There’s a schedule on the wall where guests can reserve a slot, so secure your onsen spot first, then head out for lunch.
Other great ryokans in Hakone:
- Choyuju Hakone: Affordable ryokan with on-site onsen that you can book privately.
- Hakone Miyanoshita Myojokan: Highly-rated affordable ryokan with onsen on site.
- Hakone Yumoto Onsen Hotel Kaijaso: Mid-range, centrally located ryokan with onsen on site and views of the lush hills.
Lunch at Tamura Ginkatsu-tei
While waiting for check-in at Hakone Tent, we got talking to the nice guy behind the reception, and for lunch, he recommended Marmie Kitchen and Tamura Ginkatsu-tei as two great options nearby.
Marmie Kitchen was closed at the time, so we opted for Tamura Ginkatsu-tei and loved it!
The tonkatsu was delicious, and the place is definitely local-approved, as the space was packed with Japanese families and just a few foreigners who wandered into Hakone.
For the heartiest of meals order the Katsudon with egg, it’s so tasty and filling!
Relax in a traditional ryokan with a private onsen
Since the purpose of this trip to Hakone is relaxation, you will want to take advantage of the access to a private onsen and squeeze in as many sessions as healthily possible—at least that’s what we did.
So after lunch, head back to your hotel, check into your room, settle in—and maybe make the tatami bed ready, as you will be super sleepy after the onsen—and it’s time to enjoy your first onsen soak in Hakone.
We managed to squeeze two onsen soaks in the first evening. We did one soak, then headed back up to the room to chill on the tatami mats—which I honestly find super comfy—read a book, and relaxed for a while before a second session.
The perfect relaxing Hakone trip if you ask me.
♨️ Perks of having a hotel with a private onsen:
- Perfect for shy people who aren’t comfortable using public onsens
- You are not restricted by tattoos (but double-check with your hotel)
- You can share the onsen with a loved one of the opposite gender
While the onsen is a very relaxing experience, please do make sure to not jump straight into it, and instead read the rules carefully and follow the steps to be respectful to everyone else using the onsen baths.
Day 2: Hakone must-see spots
Morning: Sneak one more onsen before check-out
As I mentioned, we came here to relax, so make sure to book yourself one last onsen spot for the morning before check-out.
What better way to start your day?
Breakfast at Coffee Camp
For breakfast head over to the cute cafe just down the road from Hakone Tent, Coffee Camp.
At Coffee Camp, you can enjoy a good cup of coffee—to wake you up from the post-onsen sleepiness—and the most cheesy eggs on toast I have ever had.
They also offer the Japanese cafe classic, the hotdog, which I still haven’t dared to order with my morning coffee, but you might be more adventurous than I am, so I’m letting you know.
Admire Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine & the unique Torii Gate on the water
After breakfast, take the bus down to the lake to see the top Hakone sights, like the breathtaking view of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi on a clear day, or just the serene vibe of the lake on a gloomy one, like we had.
An unmissable sight during your 2 days in Hakone is the picture-perfect Hakone Shrine and its famous Torii Gate emerging from the water.
Lines to take a picture in front of the beautiful view of the Torii Gate can get long, we were there on a rainy day so it wasn’t too bad.
While I would normally be the first to skip an overcrowded photo op… I honestly love this photo.
So wait in line at your own discretion, or just sneak a picture of the empty shrine while people are switching turns in front of it. Your call.
If you would rather do something more productive with your time, you can take a scenic boat tour of Lake Ashi to take in the views from the water. Keep in mind the tour will drop you off on the other side of the lake though.
Explore the picturesque streets of Hakone
After taking in the beautiful views from the lake and checking these main things to see in Hakone off your list, jump back on a bus in the direction of Hakone-Yumoto, the station you need to get back to Tokyo.
But before jumping on the next train back to Tokyo, make sure to take time to wander the picturesque streets of this livelier part of Hakone.
Surrounded by lush hills, streams of water, and cute little streets packed with small businesses, there is so much to explore around here.
Lunch in Hakone at Nakamuraya Sushi
For lunch in Hakone, head over to Nakamuraya Sushi, a cute little sushi spot we wandered in while trying to escape the rain.
Get the insanely delicious tuna bowl, miso soup, and of course, all paired with a cup of piping hot green tea.
The place is small and cozy, the service is friendly and the food is incredible, as with most places in Japan.
Tea and sweets break
If you are anything like me, you will agree that there is always space for something sweet, especially while in Japan.
So make your way to this little tea house with no Western name, an adorable little spot serving green tea and tasty traditional sweets.
The menu is concise, but everything looks delicious, if traveling with someone definitely get two different sweets to try.
The service was warm and friendly, and the woman was so cute, that she even hand-wrote me a note explaining how the service works—I kept the little note as a souvenir of our time in Japan.
Head back To Tokyo
If you don’t want to arrive too late back in Tokyo you can start making your way back to the city early in the evening, or to wherever you are going next in your trip.
If on the other hand, you are a big fan of the relaxed vibe and the onsen life, you can always add a few more days to your Hakone itinerary.
Optional things to do in Hakone:
Hakone travel tips
- Hakone free pass: A practical addition to your Hakone 2-day trip. A Hakone free pass is a discount pass that includes discounted admission to some attractions, and unlimited use of Odakyu-affiliated buses, as well as trains, boats, cable cars, and ropeways in the Hakone area.
- Transportation: Hakone is quite a spread-out area, so if using the local buses, pay close attention to the name of the bus and the direction—we ended up going the opposite way for a while at one point.
- Pack: Anti-nausea pills and/or sea bands. To get from point A to B in Hakone, local buses take you through lush, scenic roads that are as beautiful as they are winding. So, if you get nauseous easily, you better come prepared with some pills and/or sea bands.
- Best time to visit: While you can expect rain during all months of the year, the best months to visit Hakone are between April and November, basically spring to autumn, as winter up in the mountains will be even colder than in Tokyo.
Final thoughts on 2 days in Hakone
Hakone is a charming town that looks straight out of a fairytale book, with lush winding roads, relaxing hot springs, and dramatic views of Mount Fuji over Lake Ashi—a must-add to any Japan itinerary.
Being less than two hours away from the buzzing capital, Hakone is the perfect 2-day trip to experience a completely different side of Japan.
It’s the perfect break in your Japan itinerary to slow down for a few days, relax, and soak in the healing onsen, before continuing with your Japan adventures.
So, what do you think? Will you be adding a 2-day trip to Hakone to your Japan itinerary? Let us know in the comments!