Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura and Atami

Three nights in Kawaguchiko, three nights in Hakone-Yumoto, plus day trips to Kamakura and Atami.

A relaxed long itinerary. Spend the first three days in Kawaguchiko, covering the north shore, Saiko and Aokigahara forest, the Fifth Station and Oshino Hakkai separately, for more chances to see Mount Fuji. On day four, travel via the Gotemba Outlets to Hakone-Yumoto, a well-connected base for day trips around the Hakone loop and to Kamakura. On the final day, visit the museums and shrines of Atami, then leave by Shinkansen. Ideal for first-time visitors to Japan who don't want a rushed schedule.

Autumn foliage in Kawaguchiko and Hakone arrives in succession in November. Winter offers the clearest view of Mount Fuji.

Day by day

Day 1 · Chureito Pagoda and the Kawaguchiko Ropeway

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Arakurayama Sengen Park、Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida、Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway）

From Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyu Railway to Shimo-Yoshida Station. Then take a bus back to the ropeway station and ride up to Tenjoyama, about 1 hour.

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 2 · Oishi Park and the Saiko Aokigahara Forest

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Oishi Park、Itchiku Kubota Art Museum、Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba、Fugaku Wind Cave）

In the morning, take the red-line bus to Oishi Park, then switch to the green-line bus to Saiko Negiba and Fugaku Wind Cave, about 30 minutes one way.

The autumn foliage corridor near the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum is lit up at night in November.

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 3 · Fifth Station and Oshino Hakkai

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Mt. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station、Oshino Hakkai、Lake Kawaguchi）

Take a bus for about 50 minutes to the Fifth Station in the morning. Return to Kawaguchiko Station, then transfer to a bus for about 30 minutes to Oshino Hakkai, returning in the evening.

In snowy winter, buses to the Fifth Station may only run partway. Check before setting out.

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 4 · Via Gotemba to Hakone

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Gotemba Premium Outlets、Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields、Hakone Open-Air Museum）

Take a bus for about 1 hour from Kawaguchiko Station to Gotemba Premium Outlets, then a bus to Sengokuhara. Transfer to the Open-Air Museum, then take the Tozan Train down to Hakone-Yumoto.

The outlets have lockers where you can store shopping bags and luggage.

Stay: Hakone-Yumoto

Day 5 · Hakone Loop and Old Roads

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Hakone Tozan Railway、Owakudani、Lake Ashi、Hakone Shrine、Old Tokaido Road & Amazake-chaya）

Take the Tozan Train up to Gora, then the cable car and ropeway past Owakudani to Togendai, the pirate ship to Motohakone, and a bus along the old road back to Hakone-Yumoto. About 6 hours in total.

The Hakone Free Pass covers most of the loop's transport.

Stay: Hakone-Yumoto

Day 6 · Kamakura Day Trip

Kamakura（Tsurugaoka Hachimangu、Komachi-dori、Hase-dera、Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kotoku-in)）

From Hakone-Yumoto, take the Tozan Train to Odawara, then transfer to the JR Tokaido and Yokosuka Lines to Kamakura, about 1 hour. Get around on foot and on the Enoden line.

On weekends, the Enoden and Komachi-dori are crowded. Try to go on a weekday.

Stay: Hakone-Yumoto

Day 7 · Atami Museums and Shrines

Atami & Izu（MOA Museum of Art、Kinomiya Shrine、Atami Station Shopping Streets）

From Hakone-Yumoto, take the Tozan Train to Odawara, then JR for about 25 minutes to Atami. Get around town by bus and one stop on the JR Ito Line. Leave by Shinkansen in the evening.

The MOA Museum of Art is closed on Thursdays. You can store luggage at Atami Station.

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