okoshi2002

I justed booked on Hawaiian Air a RT to Haneda April 7 to 17.

My general plan is to spend 2 or 3 nights in Yokohama ( Sakuragicho Washington Hotel ) and move on to Enoshima/Kamukura for another 2 nights then on to Hakone. This would give us 4 nights in Hakone.

Our flights leaves Haneda at 1155PM Sunday. Wondering whether to travel from Hakone that day to catch flight or return to Yokohama for another night the night before ?

We enjoy leisurely travel and feel 4 nights in Hakone would give us an opportunity to hike, etc.

Should we incude another destination ? Is 4 nights too long in Hakone ?

Thanks.

okoshi2002

I wanted to add that we would be interested in seeing Mt. Fuji from Five lakes and uncertain whether we should do this as a day trip from Hakone or spend a night or two there.

I understand there are buses with several connections to reach Five Lakes from Hakone.

I am assuming that in order to return to Yokohama from Five Lakes or Hakone we need to travel via Tokyo ?

hawaiiantraveler

I would spend a couple of nights in Hakone and two in Kawaguchi-ko. Both areas have lots to see and do. You can train to Go-ko from Shinjuku with a transfer at Otsuki where from there is a private line for the rest of the way to Kawaguchiko

Aloha!

okoshi2002

Thank you HT. Is there a bus that connects Hakone to Kawaguchiko ?

hawaiiantraveler

The Fuji Hakone Pass may be for you. See here for details

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_014.html

As I mentioned above you can train or bus to Fujigoko(Kawaguchiko) from Shinjuku or Tokyo. See here for more info

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html

Aloha!

okoshi2002

Thanks for the links HT.

Is there a way to reach Hakone and Five Lakes from Yokohama without going through Tokyo ?It looks like the Fiji-Hakone Pass starts in Shinjiku.

We are flying into Haneda expressly to omit Tokyo.

okoshi2002

It looks like the JR Tokaido or JR Shonan Shinjiku Line will take us to Hakone and Gora via Yokohama Station.

Wondering whether we should skip Kamamkura and Enoshima and go directly to Hakone and then Five Lakes from Yokohama, for 3 nights each and spend our last day treveling back to Haneda for our late flight home .

I appreciate your help.

hawaiiantraveler

Yes you can JR from Yoko but have to transfer trains at the JR Otsuki station like I mentioned earlier and transfer to private line, real simple and easy to do though.....or you can go by bus. I'm sure that there is one from the Yoko bus station.

Aloha!

okoshi2002

Thank you HT .

Any thoughts about skipping Enoshima /Kamakura in favor of spending more time at Five Lakes ? Is there enough to do in the Hakone and Five Lakes area to spend 5-6 days ? We do enjoy hiking and just taking our time to enjoy sites.

hawaiiantraveler

If you enjoy hiking and the weather cooperates, then there is a ton to do in Hakone and Fujigo-ko. Have you seen this site yet?

http://www.hakonenavi.jp/english/

okoshi2002

Thanks for the links to great sites.

Perhaps will remain flexible about Enoshima- sounds doable as a day trip from Yokohama.

Has anybody driven in Hakone ? Would that make the trip to Five Lakes area easier in terms of getting around ?

hawaiiantraveler

I have driven in Japan and don't think I would want to in April in Hakone. Traffic would be horrendous especially on the weekends. The public bus transport there and between Fujigoko is often and reliable. BTW the sewer cover on my profile pic is from Kawaguchiko

Aloha!

okoshi2002

Only in Japan would you find a decorated sewer cover! It is wonderful !