Even after visiting Japan several times, each trip still moves us and inspires us to plan the next journey. At the start of the year, we arranged a short trip to Tokyo and headed to the popular nearby destinations of Gotemba and Hakone for a 2-day mini vacation.
The great-value Hakone 2-Day Pass lets you exploreGotemba and Hakone!
For this 2-day trip, our main mode of transport was the “Odakyu Hakone Free Pass.” Anyone who has traveled in Japan knows that transportation costs are high and ticket purchasing can be complicated. This pass is extremely cost-effective, covering round-trip tickets from Shinjuku to Hakone, the Hakone Tozan Train, the ropeway, the Hakone Pirate Ship cruise, and the Hakone Tozan Bus—all available for unlimited rides over two days. When visiting Hakone, there’s no need to buy separate tickets, making it both economical and convenient.
The Odakyu Electric Railway Company has a tourist information center at the west exit of Shinjuku Station, staffed with multilingual personnel, so you can easily purchase your tickets.
This time, since we went to Gotemba Premium Outlets first, in addition to using the Hakone 2-Day Pass, we also had to purchase a Romancecar Limited Express ticket and pay for the transfer fare from Matsuda Station to Gotemba Station.
(Left) To ride the Odakyu “Romancecar” Limited Express, you need to purchase a separate Limited Express ticket. (Right) You can use any vehicle marked with this woodpecker logo sticker.
Hakone Sightseeing Information:Chinese Official Website
Hakone Pass Information:Chinese Official Website
Odakyu “Romancecar” Limited Express:Chinese Official Website
Day.1
Shinjuku → Gotemba Premium Outlets → Le Petit Prince Museum → Hakone Highland Onsen Hotel
Take the direct “Fujisan” Romancecar Limited Express from Shinjuku to Gotemba Premium Outlets
Gotemba Premium Outlets
“Gotemba Premium Outletsis Japan’s largest outlet mall, featuring popular luxury brands that are a favorite shopping destination for international visitors. Its location is also great, offering views of Mount Fuji. The mall includes a variety of goods, travel essentials, and restaurants, making it perfect for a one-stop shopping spree.
Marni
Marni, which has been quite popular lately, is a brand I’ve always wanted to try. Its vibrant and creative colors, along with its bags and shoes,are alsohighly distinctive—I’d recommend it to anyone who loves niche designer items.
Nike
I don’t know why, but every time I’m in Japan, I can’t help but buy several pairs of sneakers. The outlets offer even more discounts, with a full range of styles—mostly popular models still on sale. You just have to get lucky finding your size. The clothing section also has great deals and a wide selection.
TATRAS
Winter down jackets are a must, and TATRAS jackets are also very well-known in the fashion world. Although it’s an Italian brand, the cuts and designs are more suited to Asian body types—they flatter the figure, are lightweight yet warm, and one jacket is all you need to get through winter with ease.
Is one day not enough for shopping? Don’t worry—the Gotemba Premium Outlets mall will soon open the “HOTEL CLAD” hotel and the “Ki no Hana no Yu” hot spring by the end of 2019. With its prime location offering direct views of Mount Fuji and a spectacular hot spring experience, it provides travelers with even more convenient and comfortable accommodation options.
Gotemba Premium Outlets:Chinese official website
Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus (direct from Shinjuku to Gotemba Premium Outlets)
Gotemba Premium Outlets offers a direct bus service to Shinjuku Station. It's very convenient as you can enjoy shopping easily even on a day trip.
Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus:Official website
Hakone Tozan Bus (Gotemba Premium Outlets → Hakone))
Hakone is also very close to Gotemba Premium Outlets. It only takes about 30 minutes by bus to get there.
Le Petit Prince Museum
<交通>Gotemba Premium Outlets (HakoneMountain Bus Route L) → Sengokuhara (transfer to Hakone Tozan Bus Routes T or TP) → “Kawamuki / Le Petit Prince Museum”
The world’s only museum dedicated to the famous French novel "The Little Prince" is located in Hakone. The museum is designed based on the romantic landscapes of France, featuring various themed zones and faithfully recreating classic scenes from the story, allowing visitors to relive the magical moments from 'The Little Prince'.
Business hours: 09:00～18:00 (last entry at 17:00)
Restaurant hours: 11:00～18:00 (last order at 17:30)
Dessert menu 11:00~17:00 (last order)
Meal menu 11:30~17:00 (last order)
Le Petit Prince Museum:Official website
Odakyu Hakone Highland Hotel(Hakone Highland Hotel)
<交通>The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Le Petit Prince Museum
When visiting Hakone, one of the must-do activities is soaking in an onsen. Hakone is a well-known hot spring destination in Japan, and most hotels have their own onsen facilities where you can enjoy a relaxing soak. This time, I stayed at the “Odakyu Hakone Highland Hotel,” which is a popular choice among Japanese travelers to Hakone. It has a very convenient location and can be reached by bus using a two-day pass.
This time, since it was very close to Le Petit Prince Museum, I just walked there
The hotel not only offers natural hot springs but also features a premium spa. Spa courses can be booked directly through the hotel. This time, I chose a facial and full-body essential oil massage. The therapist’s techniques were skilled, and I was served herbal tea afterward, allowing me to fully unwind.
The French restaurant “La Forêt” inside the Odakyu Hakone Highland Hotel is also very popular. Its creative French cuisine, made with seasonal ingredients, delivers delicious flavors in every dish.
Odakyu Hakone Highland Hotel:Booking website
Day.2
Owakudani → Hakone Pirate ShipSightseeingBoat → Mountain Journey Shop Lunch → Hakone Shrine → Amazake Chaya Afternoon Tea → Shinjuku
Owakudani
Transportation from the hotel to Gora Station
Odakyu Hakone Highland Hotel Station (Hakone Tozan Bus M or G route) → Gora Station (Hakone Tozan Train) → Sounzan Station (Hakone Ropeway) → Owakudani Station
When visiting Hakone, you can’t miss its magnificent natural scenery. The area is scattered with hot springs, and among them, Owakudani is the source of Hakone’s thermal waters, a natural landscape formed after a volcanic eruption. From Gora Station, take the “Hakone Tozan Train” to Sounzan Station, then transfer to the “Hakone Ropeway” to reach Owakudani.
Riding the ropeway is a truly fascinating experience, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking geography of Owakudani from an altitude of 1,044 meters. Also known as “Hell Valley,” Owakudani is a remnant of a volcanic eruption that occurred 3,000 years ago. On the other side, you’ll see the iconic blue-and-white Mount Fuji up close. After taking in the view, try a dark, sulfur-rich local specialty, the “Longevity Egg” (said to add seven years to your life), and shop for a variety of local souvenirs.
Hakone Pirate ShipSightseeingBoat
Next, continue by taking theHakoneRopeway toward “Togendai (Lake Ashi),” and then board another popular mode of transport, the “Hakone Pirate Ship.”
Lake Ashi is a naturally formed volcanic crater lake and the largest lake in Kanagawa Prefecture. Riding the pirate ship lets you take in the lake’s natural beauty, where you can not only see Mount Fuji but also admire the famous photogenic spot, the Lake Ashi Torii Gate.
Hakone PirateSightseeingBoat:Click here
Salon de the ROSAGE
Take theHakone PirateSightseeingBoatfor about 40 minutes and disembark at “Mototsumiya Port.” By this time, it’s nearly lunchtime—take a stroll to “Salon de thé ROSAGE” for a lakeside lunch.
This casual lunch and tea restaurant by Lake Ashi is operated by the high-end Odakyu Mountain Hotel. Thanks to its excellent location with direct views of the lake, many people come here specifically to dine. It offers light meals such as sandwiches and omelets.
Salon de thé ROSAGE:Official Website
Business Hours: 10:00–17:00 (Last Order) Open year-round
January 15 – March 15, 2019: 10:00–16:00 (Last Order), Closed on Wednesdays
Hakone Shrine
After lunch, head to the nearby Hakone Shrine for a visit. Hakone Shrine is one of the well-known shrines in Japan’s Kanto region. Nestled between mountains and overlooking a lake, its secluded forest setting enhances its spiritual aura. Within the shrine grounds, you’ll also find Ryūjin (Dragon God) Spring.
Address: 80-1 Moto-Hakone, Hakone-machi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Visiting Hours: Flexible (recommended before 17:00)
<交通>Take a bus back to “Hakone-Yumoto Station,” then transfer to the Odakyu “Romancecar” Limited Express back to Shinjuku (Hakone Tozan Bus Route K)
Written in Closing:
This two-day, one-night trip to Hakone truly left wonderful memories. Shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets was a blast, and I felt healed by Hakone’s natural scenery and hot springs—both body and mind were soothed during this little getaway. Also, I was especially impressed by how much Japanese people value attention to detail.
Odakyu “Romancecar” Limited Express – Outbound: Shinjuku → Gotemba | Return: Hakone-Yumoto → Shinjuku
The exterior and interior design of Japanese trains are highly refined. The limited express trains used for this round trip were different models. The outbound ride was on the “Fujisan,” inspired by Mount Fuji, with a bright Vermeer Blue exterior. The return trip was on the newest model, the “GSE.”The seats are spacious and very comfortable.With elegant red coloring and oversized windows, you can enjoy the scenery along the way, and WiFi is available.
Luggage Transfer Service:
Hakone’s popular attractions are arranged in a loop, so a convenient luggage delivery service is offered. You can have your luggage transported from the station to your accommodation, and upon check-out, it will be sent from your hotel to Hakone-Yumoto Station. You can pick it up directly at the station on your return trip without having to drag your luggage around while sightseeing. (Available for designated hotels, a transfer fee applies)