Mt Fuji and Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo — 5th Station, Owakudani Ropeway & Lake Ashi Cruise

Hakone•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

10–11 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for travelers in average physical condition; mostly short walks and standing at viewpoints.

Overview

A full-day circuit from Tokyo that packs Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, the steaming vents of Owakudani, a scenic ropeway ride, and a Lake Ashi cruise into one long, manageable outing. Expect high-altitude views, geothermal oddities, and a relaxing waterside finale.

Mt Fuji and Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo — 5th Station, Owakudani Ropeway & Lake Ashi Cruise

other

boat-tour

wildlife

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Nov 6

Travelers

You step off the bus into a thin, clean air that seems to push the city's noise away. At 2,300 meters the Mt. Fuji 5th Station opens a stage of rock, shrine, and sky; hikers and photographers drift like slow satellites around Komitake Shrine while clouds unroll below. From this height the mountain is not merely a backdrop but a presence — patient, sometimes shrouded, sometimes sharp enough to make a jaw ache.

Adventure Photos

Mt Fuji and Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo — 5th Station, Owakudani Ropeway & Lake Ashi Cruise photo 1

Adventure Tips

Layer for mountain weather

Temperatures can drop sharply at the 5th Station — carry a warm, windproof midlayer even in summer.

Bring motion-sickness fixes

The ropeway and lake cruise are smooth but the winding mountain roads can be bumpy; pack medication or acupressure bands if you’re sensitive.

Mind the sulfur

Owakudani’s steam vents give off strong sulfur smells and hot ground — keep children close and avoid fenced-off areas.

Plan your return method

If you choose the Shinkansen return, leave margin for schedule changes; bus return takes about 2.5 hours to Shinjuku.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Japanese macaque (in higher forests)
Varied waterfowl on Lake Ashi

History

Hakone served as a major checkpoint on the old Tokaido route during the Edo period and has long been a retreat for hot-spring seekers.

Conservation

Owakudani’s geothermal activity is fragile; follow paths and signage to protect vents and reduce erosion. Tourism fees help fund local preservation and visitor facilities.