2 days in Hakone itinerary: Our must-see stops & experiences!

Last updated on June 18th, 2026

In this 2 day Hakone itinerary we’re sharing how to see the best of the area, from onsens, to unique attractions, and local eats!

Known for its onsens, mountain views (including Mount Fuji!), and beautiful lake, Hakone makes for a fun, relaxing, and scenic destination during a trip to Japan. And while some take a day trip to Hakone from Tokyo, we think Hakone deserves at least 2 days! 

With just 48 hours in Hakone you can stay at a ryokan, soak in an onsen, sip amazake at a historic tea house, try a handful of local eats, and experience some of the region’s coolest attractions.

In this guide we’re sharing a 2 day Hakone itinerary that is full of our personal favorite stops from our few days in the area! As well as some important logistics for your time in Hakone, like how to get around, where to stay, and more!

Day 1

See the Heiwa-no-Torii at Hakone Shrine

Assuming you stayed the night in Hakone the night before, start your day early and head to Hakone Shrine along Lake Ashi. This is a beautiful shrine tucked in the forest, with multiple areas to explore. But it’s most famous for Heiwa-no-Torii, a large, red torii gate that sits in the water, with a small walkway underneath. It makes for the perfect photo spot!

However, we are not the only ones that think so. There can be lines over an hour to get a photo standing under the torii gate. Which is why we recommend doing this first thing in the morning! The shrine grounds and Heiwa-no-Torii gate are open 24 hours a day, so you can arrive as early as you’d like.

Enjoy tea and mochi at the Hakone Amasake Chaya Tea House

Next up, head to the Hakone Amasake Chaya Tea House, which dates back 400 years! It’s tucked in the forest and boasts stunning wooden architecture, a thatched roof, and a cast iron pot boiling over the fire. The ambiance alone is worth a visit!

But while here, you also must try their amazake, which is a non-alcoholic fermented rice drink, as well as their mochi. We loved their uguisu mochi, which is dusted in soybean flour, plus their kurogoma mochi, which is covered in black sesame. 

To get here from Hakone Shrine you can either drive (the quickest and easiest option!) or walk! Walking may take a bit longer, but you’ll get to walk 40 minutes along Kyu Tokaido (Old Tokaido). This is a historic pathway that connected Kyoto and what is now Tokyo during the Edo Period. Similar to the Nakasendo Trail more inland!

You also could take the bus, but it appears to run very infrequently and does not start until around 10:30 AM.

Go on the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise 

After enjoying the teahouse, head to the Moto-Hakone-ko Pier back at Lake Ashi to ride the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise! This cruise will take you across Lake Ashi on a pirate ship. Along the way you’ll get to see the lake’s undeveloped shoreline and Hakone Shrine from the water. And if you take it on a clear day, you’ll have views of Mount Fuji going this direction as well!

While you’re partially taking this scenic cruise for the scenery, you’re also using it as a mode of transportation. Instead of riding across the lake and then back to your starting point, you will get off once you get to the north side of the lake at Tōgendai-ko Port.

To do this, you will either need to buy a one way ticket ¥2,000 (~$12.50 USD) or use your Hakone Freepass, which is what we’d personally recommend.

Take the Hakone Ropeway up to Owakudani

It’s now time to head to Owakudani! And getting there from Tōgendai-ko Port is super easy. Right after getting off the boat, you will simply hop on the Hakone Ropeway at Togendai Station, which will take you all the way to Owakudani at the top!

Just like the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, this is included in your Hakone Freepass.

Explore Owakudani

Welcome to Owakudani! Owakudani means “Great Boiling Valley” and is a volcanic valley that was formed around 3,000 years ago during an eruption of Mount Hakone. 

Today it’s a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and is a must-visit because of the incredible, other worldly views (including Mount Fuji on a clear day!) and unique foods to try. 

Once at the top of Owakudani, it is free to wander around and check out its different viewpoints and shops. But for the ultimate experience go on the Owakudani Nature Study Trail tour. This tour gives you a closer look at the area’s geothermal features by taking you to an area that is closed to the public. The tour is limited to 30 people and it is only in Japanese, but we read that non-Japanese speakers have gone on it. 

There are 4 tours per day, which cost ¥800 (~$5 USD) per person. You can register for the tour at this website. We had booked this tour, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to bad weather.

But rain or shine, one thing that you must do at Owakudani is try its black colored treats! Starting with their black eggs, which are hard-boiled eggs cooked in hot water from the volcano. The shells turn black from a chemical reaction with the water! Eating one of these eggs is said to extend your life by seven years, so eat multiple if you can! 

In addition to the black eggs you can also get black ice cream. While it mostly just tasted like vanilla to us, it is super hilarious to eat because it turns your teeth and lips black! And if you haven’t had your fill of black colored treats, you can also get black curry bread.

Head down from Owakudani

Once you’ve experienced as much of Owakudani as you’d like, it’s time to head down! Your next stop will be your ryokan for the night. Depending on which ryokan you’re staying at and where it is, your exact route will vary. But here’s a quick rundown of how to get down for the two main lodging areas (Yumoto or Gora).

To Gora: Take the Hakone Ropeway down to the Hakonetozan Cable Car. Then, take the Hakonetozan Cable Car to Gora.

To Yumoto: Take the Hakone Ropeway down to the Hakonetozan Cable Car. Then, take the Hakonetozan Cable Car to Gora. From here, you will connect to the Hakonetozan Train, which is a really fun train ride, as it goes down 3 switchbacks!

All of these transportation options are included in the Hakone Freepass.

Enjoy a relaxing evening at your onsen ryokan

For the rest of the day, enjoy your onsen ryokan! An onsen ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, where you’ll wear a yukata, sleep on a futon on traditional tatami mat flooring (if you choose!), eat elaborate kaiseki meals, and best of all, relax in a soothing onsen (hot spring). These are what the area is known for, so we highly recommend staying at one. We will share some specific ryokan suggestions a bit later in this guide.

If it’s your first night here, we suggest checking in as early as you can so you can enjoy the ryokan as long as possible. You can learn more about our ryokan experience and what to expect here, but depending on what time you check in you could enjoy an afternoon soak in the onsen before dinner. Dinner will be a traditional multi-course kaiseki meal, full of fresh seafood, vegetables, soups, and possibly other meats.

After dinner, soak in the onsen again! It’s the perfect way to relax after a day exploring Hakone!

Day 2

Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum

Spend the rest of the afternoon at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, one of our personal favorite things to do in Hakone! 

This is a museum with an outdoor sculpture park and a few indoor exhibits. In the large outdoor area you’ll find tons of interesting sculptures, some of which move, plus a fun maze and an observation tower encased in beautiful stained glass. And it’s all in a beautiful setting, with lots of trees and mountain views.

The museum is open from 9 AM-5 PM every day, so make sure to arrive with plenty of time to explore! Adult entry is ¥2,000 (~$12 USD) and cheaper for students and children. There is a small discount for Hakone Freepass users though!

Enjoy dinner at Box Burger

To end your time in Hakone, grab dinner at Box Burger! They have two locations, one near Gora and one in Yumoto. So if you’re staying in Gora for the night, we’d suggest that one. But if you’re hopping on a train back to Tokyo or to another destination, the Yumoto one may be more convenient.

Regardless of which location you choose, expect huge, delicious burgers! We highly recommend the Hakone Burger, which comes with bacon and an onion ring on top. Their milkshakes also looked fantastic!

Planning your 2 days in Hakone

Getting around the Hakone area

Once in Hakone, you have a lot of options to get around! And the best way to get around is by using the Hakone Freepass. Despite its name, the Hakone Freepass is not free. But it does allow you unlimited access to most transportation options in the area for 2 or 3 days. 

With this pass you will be able to take the Hakonetozan train, Hakonetozan cable car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, and some buses as many times as you’d like! The Hakone Freepass even has an option where you can include a train ride to and from Shinjuku or Odawara for an extra fee.

And on top of that, you can get discounts at some attractions, like Hakone Gora Park and the Hakone Open-Air Museum. We highly recommend getting this pass for this Hakone itinerary!

When to visit Hakone

Where to stay in Hakone

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