A 3-day, 2-night visit to Hakone during my trip to Tokyo

📅 Travel Itinerary Day 1: After a three-day trip to Tokyo, we headed to Hakone. We purchased the Hakone Free Pass at Shinjuku Station and took the Romancecar directly to Hakone-Yumoto for a comfortable ride. We arrived at Yoshiike Ryokan around 6:00 PM, unpacked, and rested for a while before enjoying a delicious kaiseki dinner! Note that ryokan dinners are served before 7:00 PM! Not only was the food delicious, but the delicate and beautifully presented Japanese cuisine made us feel like we were being pampered. After dinner, we explored the ryokan's garden. It's renowned for its beautiful Japanese gardens, one of the best among Hakone ryokans. Its beauty changes day and night, so it's a great place to stroll around at night. After a meal and a leisurely stroll, it was time to enjoy the hot springs. There were so many people I couldn't take photos, but there were a variety of large baths, both indoor and outdoor. The outdoor bath, in particular, was beautifully situated next to the beautiful garden, creating a truly captivating ambiance. We ended our first day fully enjoying our Hakone ryokan. Day 2: On day 2, we'll begin our Hakone tour in earnest. To reach Owakudani, the highlight of Hakone, take the Tozan Railway to Gora Station. From there, transfer to a cable car (not a cable car, but a type of tram) to Souzan Station. From Souzan Station, take the ropeway to begin your Owakudani adventure. Be sure to grab a seat on the left side. Get off at Owakudani Station along the way, enjoy some sulfur eggs, and after exploring Owakudani, head back down to Togendai to board a pirate ship cruise. After a short break on the magnificent 30-minute Lake Ashi, we headed to our final destination of the day, Hakone Shrine. The line at Hakone Shrine was incredibly long, with photographers waiting for about an hour. By this point, it was getting close to dinnertime, but most restaurants close early, so please be aware. We ended the day with a convenience store meal and dinner at the hotel. Day 3: On day 3, I departed Hakone-Yumoto Station for some street shopping before heading back to central Tokyo in Odawara, where I also enjoyed a visit to nearby Odawara Castle. I was so glad I decided to visit nearby Hakone, as I didn't want to spend all my time in Tokyo. However, the travel time from Tokyo to Hakone is a generous 2-3 hours, so it might not be the best option for a short visit. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation: Yoshiike Ryokan 🍴 Restaurant Recommendation: Yoshiike Ryokan Kaiseki Dinner 📌 Useful Tip: If you're planning a visit to Hakone, the Hakone Freepass is a must! #HakoneTravel #HakoneRyokan #Owakudani #HakoneShrine