Hakone without freepass but drive instead

[daranic]

Is it possible to drive around Hakone, visit Owakudani, Moto Hakone, etc with a rented car? That is, in short, drop the 2 or 3 days Hakone freepass and do the circuit with the car. Of course, the cruise is not possible. But am willing to forgo the cruise.

 

[gentoro]

Hakone is best go around with car!! Every where also free parking. We took cable car up to Owakudani (lotsa of snack and play stuff to buy) while park at lake Ashi but actually can go up via car (save $) but wanna enjoy the cable car ride.

Traffic there is minimal but road are narrow and sometime have to reverse and give way.

Side track: Evening saw a elderly man with a spoiled Ferrari at mid hakone 7/11. We stopped by for snack and dinner.
Saw the repair tow truck guy after he sees the Ferrari, he just scratching his head and duno what to do?! He scare to scratch the ultra low fairing with his tow and hook. The elderly man was with a mature lady (look quite piss off). lolz....

Back to topic: if you got free afternoon, drive to Gotemba outlet, pretty nice place to shop but lousy place to dine-in.

 

[daranic]

Any experience driving to Hakone/Kawaguchiko in Dec? Is the ground icy or any snow in that month?

 

[gentoro]

Any experience driving to Hakone/Kawaguchiko in Dec? Is the ground icy or any snow in that month?

Ground can be icy in morning and late night when temp pummeled minus zero in mid dec or late dec. Day time the ground will be wet but we go ahead with snow tyre. Kinda noisy at dry road but safety in hilly road. As usual, drive within speed limited and slow down during curve.

Driving in Japan is exceptionally nice and easy but the costly toll can be quite a burden...