[GPGT] Tokyo - Hakone - May 2023

[paul02]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm thinking of taking the train from Tokyo to Hakone, so I’ll probably get the Hakone Free Pass since it includes the train ride.

Are we able to get around Hakone just by using the ropeway and bus? Or is the bus crowded when you went there few years ago?

I’m also thinking that if we want to experience the ropeway, renting a car might not be that useful since it would just be parked most of the time.

Yes, I got around just using the pass, little to no hassle.

 

[esandwich]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm thinking of taking the train from Tokyo to Hakone, so I’ll probably get the Hakone Free Pass since it includes the train ride.

Are we able to get around Hakone just by using the ropeway and bus? Or is the bus crowded when you went there few years ago?

I’m also thinking that if we want to experience the ropeway, renting a car might not be that useful since it would just be parked most of the time.

better to drive. esp if your hotel is on the mountain. there is not much food and transport options. if still prefer not to drive, then choose to stay near the station so food and transport is easier. downside is more crowded and feels like any small jap town centre. you cant get any fuji view too.

hakone for me is a retreat area so will recommend you to stay on the mountain hotels. the feel is different - air, fuji views, outdoor onsen. much as the jp transport is efficient but the attractions points are quite apart so you will end up spending quite a bit of time on the road.

 

[NoTimeToWaitAr]

The ropeway can be suspended due to weather conditions like strong winds. Happened today. It was super windy and many ppl had difficultly walking. Not 100% sure but the pirate ship might be have been suspended too.

The buses tend to be crowded.

You can shinkansen to odawara to pick up the rental car there.

Wow you are there right now? Any hotel recommendation?

Yep, I’m thinking of using the Hakone Free Pass and the free train ride to Odawara. From there, I’ll collect the rental car and drive up to Fujikawaguchiko first, before returning to Hakone for 2n stay, and Odawara to return the car, then take the Shinkansen down to Nagoya. Seems like having a car is more like an insurance in event the ropeway is not working

 

[NoTimeToWaitAr]

better to drive. esp if your hotel is on the mountain. there is not much food and transport options. if still prefer not to drive, then choose to stay near the station so food and transport is easier. downside is more crowded and feels like any small jap town centre. you cant get any fuji view too.

hakone for me is a retreat area so will recommend you to stay on the mountain hotels. the feel is different - air, fuji views, outdoor onsen. much as the jp transport is efficient but the attractions points are quite apart so you will end up spending quite a bit of time on the road.

Hmm. got it. maybe it's worth spending a bit more for flexibility.

 

[saffronsatire]

Wow you are there right now? Any hotel recommendation?

Yep, I’m thinking of using the Hakone Free Pass and the free train ride to Odawara. From there, I’ll collect the rental car and drive up to Fujikawaguchiko first, before returning to Hakone for 2n stay, and Odawara to return the car, then take the Shinkansen down to Nagoya. Seems like having a car is more like an insurance in event the ropeway is not working

I stayed at hakone yutowa, decent but nothing fancy. Driving will have more flexibility for accoms choices as the other member mentioned.

Shortlisted a few others places, tsukino yado sara, aura tachibana, laforet gora, nagominoyado hanagokoro.

For hakone, try to make reservations for dinner (if available) if you're not taking the dinner plan at your accoms. Or go early as popular places may not take walk-ins after 5.30pm if they are full.

 

[NoTimeToWaitAr]

I stayed at hakone yutowa, decent but nothing fancy. Driving will have more flexibility for accoms choices as the other member mentioned.

Shortlisted a few others places, tsukino yado sara, aura tachibana, laforet gora, nagominoyado hanagokoro.

For hakone, try to make reservations for dinner (if available) if you're not taking the dinner plan at your accoms. Or go early as popular places may not take walk-ins after 5.30pm if they are full.

Thanks for the information!