🥉 The Golden Route of Hakone, Japan

When you think of a floating torii gate, you might picture Miyajima. Hakone has one too, tho not as grand, it’s much closer to Tokyo and you get a view of Mt.Fuji.

I’ve been to Hakone on a choppy day before. I wasn’t too impressed then (compared to my other tirips in Japan), but I haven’t done a full tour.

So going around the golden route of Hakone is on #myrevisitlist as a 🥉 (= stop by). These are my personal notes for when I go.

The golden route

The model course for Hakone revolves around the Hakone Ropeway and cable car, pirate ships, and buses near the floating torii.

To avoid congestion, it’s recommended to do the model course in reverse.

Once you get to Hakone Yumoto Station:

1. Catch the bus (routes H, K or R) to Lake Ashi. Get off at Moto-hakone Port (元箱根港).
2. Have brunch. Visit Hakone Shrine’s torii.
3. Board a pirate ship and cruise to Togendai (桃源台）.
4. Hop on the ropeway to Owakudani (大涌谷). Eat black eggs.
5. Hop back on the ropeway towards Sou-unsan (早雲山). See volcano on the way.
6. Ride the cable car to Goura (強羅). Have a snack.
7. Catch the railway back to Hakone Yumoto (箱根湯本).

Here’s a helpful video:

Golden route or Reverse route?

The Hakone golden route is said to become congested because it’s been advertised as the model course for sight seeing Hakone. The reverse route however is often recommended on media too. So which route is more efficient?

This video compares the time taken to do the golden route vs reverse route. Comments argue it would depend on the day. If you’re not in a hurry it doesn’t seem to matter too much.

Getting to Hakone Yumoto to start the route

Odakyu train’s Romance Car links up Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto Station in 75 minutes. You do need to book a seat in advance, and it’s 1150 yen or so extra for the express fee. 

Otherwise, make your way to Odawara Station and catch the Hakone Tozan Line to Hakone Yumoto.

Once you’re there, there are a discounted tickets (like the Hakone free pass) that you can use to travel around the golden route. But personally I find these “free passes” significantly cost efficient only if you jam pack your day going to to museums and facilities, repeatedly get on the vehicles, or you’re there for a few days.

Instead of heading straight home after the golden route, you can stop by at Hakone Yumoto and have an onsen hot bath without staying over.