Hakone to Mt. Fuji: Travel Routes for Combined Sightseeing

Hakone to Mt. Fuji: Why You Don't Need to Go Back to Tokyo

Hakone and the Mt. Fuji area — particularly the Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖) around Kawaguchiko — are two of the most popular destinations near Tokyo. They are geographically close, separated by roughly 50 km (31 miles), yet many travelers make the mistake of returning to Tokyo between them. That detour adds 3-4 hours and unnecessary cost to your trip.

The direct route from Hakone to Kawaguchiko runs through Gotemba (御殿場), a small city on the eastern flank of Mt. Fuji. By bus, the full journey takes about 2-2.5 hours with one transfer. By car, you can drive it in under an hour. There is no direct train connection between Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes area — buses and cars are your only practical options.

This guide covers the bus route via Gotemba, driving options, relevant transport passes, and how to plan a combined itinerary that flows naturally from Hakone to Mt. Fuji. For getting to Hakone from Tokyo in the first place, see our Shinjuku to Hakone guide. This article is part of our Kanagawa route guides.

Bus Route via Gotemba: The Standard Connection

The bus route through Gotemba Station is the standard way to travel from Hakone to the Mt. Fuji area without a car. It requires one transfer at Gotemba Station, but the process is straightforward.

Hakone to Gotemba Station (30 minutes)

The Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus connects several stops in northern Hakone to Gotemba Station. The most convenient departure point for most travelers is Sengokuhara (仙石原), a northern Hakone area near the Owakudani ropeway.

According to Japlanease, the Odakyu Highway Bus from Sengokuhara to Gotemba Station takes approximately 30 minutes. Fares range from ¥790 to ¥1,080 (~$5–$7) depending on your exact boarding stop. From Hakone-Yumoto Station (箱根湯本駅), the fare is higher at ¥1,440 (~$10) since the ride is longer.

The first bus departs around 9:25 from Hakone area stops, with the last departure around 18:30. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for afternoon departures when buses fill with day-trippers returning from Hakone. The Hakone Free Pass covers this bus segment, so if you already have one from your trip into Hakone, you ride this leg at no extra cost.

If you are staying in Gora (強羅) or around Hakone-Yumoto, you will need to take a local bus to reach the Sengoku (仙石) highway bus stop first. Check the Hakone Tozan Bus schedule for connections.

Gotemba to Kawaguchiko Station (60-90 minutes)

At Gotemba Station, transfer to a Fujikyuko Bus heading to Kawaguchiko Station (河口湖駅), the gateway to the Fuji Five Lakes.

According to Japlanease, there are two bus options:

Bus	Time	Fare	Frequency
Fujikyuko Bus A1 (regular)	~90 min	¥1,750 (~$12)	Roughly hourly
GL Bus (express)	~60 min	¥2,000 (~$13)	Limited schedule

The GL Bus express is faster but runs on a restricted timetable — mornings on weekends only, with afternoon departures available daily. The regular A1 bus is more reliable for planning purposes since it departs roughly every hour.

Both buses accept IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) or cash. No advance reservation is required for the A1 bus, though checking the schedule before your trip is wise since timetables shift seasonally.

Total journey summary: Hakone (Sengoku) to Kawaguchiko Station takes approximately 2-2.5 hours total, with a transfer at Gotemba Station. Total one-way cost is roughly ¥2,500–3,000 (~$17–$20) depending on your starting point and bus choice.

Driving from Hakone to Kawaguchiko

If you have a rental car, driving from Hakone to Kawaguchiko is significantly faster than the bus route. According to Rome2Rio, the drive takes approximately 53 minutes via the Hakone-Gotemba route, depending on traffic and which part of Hakone you start from.

The route follows national roads through Gotemba and then north toward Kawaguchiko. Toll roads are available along parts of the route — estimated driving costs including fuel and tolls are roughly ¥600–1,000 (~$4–$7).

Driving makes particular sense for groups of 2-4 travelers, where the cost savings over individual bus tickets add up, and you gain flexibility to stop at points along the way. Gotemba Premium Outlets, a large shopping complex near Gotemba Station, is a popular midway stop if you are driving.

Keep in mind that parking at popular Fuji Five Lakes viewpoints and attractions can be tight during peak seasons — cherry blossom season (late March–April), summer, and autumn foliage (October–November). Kawaguchiko Station area has parking lots, but lakeside spots fill up early on weekends.

Transport Passes That Cover This Route

Two passes are worth considering if you are traveling from Hakone to the Mt. Fuji area. Which one makes sense depends on how much of the route you plan to cover.

Hakone Free Pass

The Hakone Free Pass covers unlimited travel on Hakone Tozan trains, cable cars, ropeways, boats, and buses within the Hakone area — including the Odakyu Highway Bus from Hakone to Gotemba Station. However, it does not cover the Gotemba-to-Kawaguchiko leg. You will need to buy a separate Fujikyuko Bus ticket for that portion.

If you already purchased a Hakone Free Pass for sightseeing within Hakone, you save on the first bus segment to Gotemba. The pass is sold at Odakyu stations including Shinjuku and Odawara.

Fuji Hakone Pass

The Fuji Hakone Pass (富士箱根パス) is the more comprehensive option. According to the Odakyu Railway, this pass covers rail from Shinjuku to Odawara, Hakone area transport, the bus from Hakone to Gotemba, and the bus from Gotemba to Kawaguchiko. It essentially covers the entire Shinjuku → Hakone → Mt. Fuji corridor in one ticket.

If you are planning a multi-day trip that starts in Tokyo, goes through Hakone, and ends at Fuji Five Lakes (or vice versa), the Fuji Hakone Pass is the more cost-effective choice. Check the Odakyu website for current pricing and validity periods, as these may change seasonally.

Planning a Combined Hakone-Fuji Itinerary

The natural flow for a Hakone-to-Fuji trip is to spend 1-2 nights in Hakone, then take the morning bus to Gotemba and onward to Kawaguchiko. This avoids the common but inefficient pattern of returning to Tokyo between the two areas.

Here is a sample 3-day itinerary:

Day 1: Tokyo to Hakone

• Morning: Take the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (~85 min)
• Afternoon: Hakone sightseeing — Owakudani, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine
• Evening: Stay at an onsen ryokan

Day 2: Hakone to Kawaguchiko

• Morning: Final Hakone sightseeing or soak
• Midday: Bus from Sengoku to Gotemba (~30 min), then Gotemba to Kawaguchiko (~60-90 min)
• Afternoon: Arrive Kawaguchiko, check into hotel, explore the lakeside
• Evening: Dinner with Fuji views (weather permitting)

Day 3: Fuji Five Lakes and Return to Tokyo

• Morning: Chureito Pagoda, Kawaguchiko lakeside, or Fuji viewing spots
• Afternoon: Highway bus from Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku (~2 hours) or train via Otsuki

Timing the transfer matters. Leave Hakone by late morning at the latest — the last bus from Sengoku departs around 18:30, and you want to arrive in Kawaguchiko with daylight remaining. An 11:00–12:00 departure from Hakone gets you to Kawaguchiko by early-to-mid afternoon.

For the return to Tokyo from Kawaguchiko, direct highway buses to Shinjuku run frequently and take about 2 hours. This avoids the need to retrace your steps through Gotemba.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I go from Hakone to Mt. Fuji without returning to Tokyo? A: Yes. Take the Odakyu Highway Bus from Hakone (Sengoku area) to Gotemba Station — approximately 30 minutes, ¥790–1,080 (~$5–$7). Then transfer to a Fujikyuko Bus from Gotemba to Kawaguchiko Station — 60-90 minutes, ¥1,750–2,000 (~$12–$13). Total journey time is about 2-2.5 hours and costs roughly ¥2,500–3,000 one-way.

Q: How long does it take from Hakone to Kawaguchiko? A: By bus via Gotemba, the total journey takes approximately 2-2.5 hours including the transfer. By car, the drive is about 53 minutes. There is no direct train connection between Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes area.

Q: Is the Hakone Free Pass useful for getting to Mt. Fuji? A: Partially. The Hakone Free Pass covers the Odakyu Highway Bus from Hakone to Gotemba Station, saving you ¥790–1,080 on that segment. However, it does not cover the onward bus from Gotemba to Kawaguchiko. For full coverage of the entire route, the Fuji Hakone Pass is the better option.

Q: Should I bus or drive from Hakone to Mt. Fuji? A: Driving is faster at about 53 minutes versus 2+ hours by bus, and it offers flexibility to stop along the way. It is particularly cost-effective for groups. The bus is the practical choice for solo travelers or those without a car — it requires one transfer at Gotemba Station but is straightforward to navigate.