Travel Guide: How to Get from Lake Kawaguchiko to Hakone
Trip Details
- OriginLake Kawaguchiko
- DestinationHakone
- Travel Time2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes
- Recommended Stay2 to 3 days
- Best Transport ModeFujikyu Bus + Hakone Tozan Bus (via Gotemba Station)
- Cheapest ModeSectional Local Buses (approx. ¥2,300–¥2,800)
- Day Trip PossibleYes (Highly Recommended)
Travel Recommendation
Take a Fujikyu Bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Gotemba Station, then transfer to a Hakone Tozan Bus or Izu-Hakone Bus to Hakone-Yumoto. This multi-bus route is the primary public transport option — no rail connection exists directly between the two resorts. Alternatively, a highway bus from Kawaguchiko Bus Terminal to Hakone (limited seasonal service) simplifies the transfer.
📍 Destination Highlights
- Lake Ashi (Ashinoko)
- Owakudani Valley
- Gotemba Premium Outlets
Transport Options Breakdown
| Transport Method | Average Duration | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fuji Hakone Bus Line (via Gotemba) | 2 hours 20 minutes | ¥2,300 – ¥2,900 |
| Bus + Train Combination | 3 hours 15 minutes | ¥3,500 – ¥4,500 |
| Rental Car / Driving | 55 minutes | ¥900 (Fuel) + Local Tolls |
| Private Taxi Transfer | 55 minutes | ¥19,000 – ¥23,000 |
Fuji Hakone Bus Line (via Gotemba)
1 Transfer (at Gotemba Station)
Independent travelers and regional scenery lovers
Bus + Train Combination
2 Transfers (Mishima & Odawara)
Travelers holding specific West/Central rail vouchers
Rental Car / Driving
Direct
Families, groups with heavy luggage, and shopping detours
Private Taxi Transfer
Direct
Luxury travelers seeking door-to-door convenience
🎟️ Buy Local Passes & Entry Tickets Online
Compare packages and book local passes or attraction tickets in advance.
🚀 Getting There Guide
- To traverse this route via public transit, board a southbound Fujikyu Bus from Platform 6 at Kawaguchiko Station bound for Gotemba Station (Premium Outlets or Otome-guchi exit).
- The initial leg winds past Lake Yamanaka and arrives at Gotemba in about 1 hour.
- At Gotemba Station, cross over to the Otome-guchi bus terminals and board a Hakone Tozan Bus (Line G or Line L).
- This second bus drives straight through the Otome Pass, descending directly into Hakone locations like Sengoku, Togendai (Lake Ashi), or Hakone-Yumoto Station.
↩️ Return Journey Guide
- To return to Lake Kawaguchiko, reverse your path by taking the Hakone Tozan Bus from Hakone-Yumoto or Togendai back to Gotemba Station's Otome exit.
- From Gotemba, catch the frequent northbound Fujikyu local or express buses straight back to Kawaguchiko Station.
- Ensure you catch a bus before 18:00, as regional mountain services drop off sharply after dark.
🚌 Local Loop Transport Guide
- Hakone relies heavily on a highly coordinated multi-modal transport network.
- The iconic Hakone Sightseeing Loop includes the Hakone Tozan Railway, an open-air mountain ropeway, and the pirate ship cruise lines across Lake Ashi.
- If you possess the Fuji Hakone Pass, your transport across all of these local systems, alongside the regional buses from Kawaguchiko, is entirely integrated and free.
Suggested Day Trip Itinerary
Morning: Take an early 08:30 Fujikyu Bus from Kawaguchiko Station to capture final clear morning views of Mount Fuji as you head south to Gotemba.
Afternoon: Arrive at Gotemba and catch a quick connecting bus directly to Sengoku or Togendai.
Step straight onto the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise pirate ship at Togendai Pier to sail across Lake Ashi, taking in views of the floating red torii gate of Hakone Shrine.
Evening: Ride the Hakone Ropeway up to the sulfurous volcanic vents of Owakudani to eat a black egg, then descend via the mountain railway to check into your hot-spring ryokan in Hakone-Yumoto.
Must-Visit Attractions in Hakone
Lake Ashi (Ashinoko)
A breathtaking scenic lake framed by Mount Fuji, famous for its historic multi-deck pirate cruise ships and the iconic lakeside floating torii gate of Hakone Shrine.
Owakudani Valley
A dramatic sulfuric valley created by the eruption of Mount Hakone, accessible via ropeway, where visitors eat legendary hard-boiled eggs blackened by the thermal waters.
Gotemba Premium Outlets
Japan's flagship luxury outlet mall located perfectly at the midpoint transfer station, housing over 290 designer stores boasting direct views of Mount Fuji.
Which Option is Best For You?
🥇 First-Time Visitors
Purchasing a regional 3-day tourist pass binds your bus transfers into a singular, easy-to-use voucher that guarantees smooth navigation.
📸 Photographers
Driving or riding through the Otome Pass windows offers world-class panoramic shots framing the entire silhouette of Mount Fuji directly behind the Hakone mountain ranges.
👨👩👧👦 Families & Strollers
A rental car eliminates the logistical nightmare of transferring multiple times between different regional bus lines with children and large strollers.
🌲 Nature Lovers
Riding the ropeway over volcanic valleys and cruising across Lake Ashi presents an incredible diversity of geologic landscapes in a single afternoon.
Popular Experiences in Hakone
Top-rated tours & activities — book directly with confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scenic route between Kawaguchiko and Hakone covered by the nationwide Japan Rail (JR) Pass?
No, this entire mountain corridor is operated by private companies (Fujikyu and Odakyu/Hakone Tozan). The JR Pass cannot be used on these buses or local mountain trains.
What is the most economical ticket for this specific journey?
The 3-day Fuji Hakone Pass issued by Odakyu is the absolute best value. At approximately ¥11,100, it covers the transit between Kawaguchiko and Hakone, plus unlimited rides on the Hakone ropeways, ships, trains, and regional loop buses.