Hakone Hot Springs - Onsen Guide & 2-Day Itinerary

Over 2 days in Hakone hot springs, you'll alternate marquee icons with pocket‑sized favorites.

Warm stops—museums, cafés, onsen—punctuate colder walking windows.

The pacing is forgiving, the walking is scenic, and the rides are JR‑pass friendly.

We’ll keep detours in pocket: a café with modern roastery flair and a calm shrine when crowds swell.

You’ll start at 10:00 with hakone open-air museum and sculpture park in Hakone Open-Air Museum.

Booking: Tickets at gate; no advance booking needed.

Tip: Arrive before tour buses (by 10am).

Midday brings at 13:30 with lake ashi cruise and hakone shrine torii gate in Lake Ashi / Hakone Shrine.

Booking: Cruise tickets on-site; short queues off-peak.

Tip: Early afternoon is busiest at the torii; visit mid/late afternoon.

Later at 17:30 with check-in to ryokan and private onsen in Hakone ryokan.

Booking: Reserve ryokan 1–3 months ahead; dietary needs in advance.

Tip: Weekends book out; prefer Sun–Thu nights.

Wear broken‑in walking shoes to avoid blisters.

Carry a refillable water bottle; convenience stores will keep you topped up.

Hakone all year rewards flexible timing.

Clear, dry air means long‑range views; we bank panoramas before lunch.

Warm stops—museums, cafés, onsen—punctuate colder walking windows.

We bias mornings for light and evenings for cooler air, leaving middays for food and transit.

Wear broken‑in walking shoes to avoid blisters.

Carry a refillable water bottle; convenience stores will keep you topped up.

Hakone bookings vary by venue and week.

Indoor—same‑day tickets sometimes available.

Reserve marquee meals 2–4 weeks out and observation decks 3–7 days out; allow buffers for weather.

Wear broken‑in walking shoes to avoid blisters.

Carry a refillable water bottle; convenience stores will keep you topped up.