Hopefully those who have been to the Hakone region can help me find an answer to how much time one needs to allow for the loop starting and finishing in Hakone Yumoto.

Ideally I would like to spend the morning in Tokyo and still be able to complete the Hakone loop that afternoon (staying in the Hakone region that night). Is possible or do I need to devote an entire day?

Thank you!

We did the "Hakone loop" last March - I think we did it in about 4-5hrs, but we didn't linger too long as the weather was not so good. If you stop off to see lots of things it could take all day.

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Thanks for the info. It looks like we will probably not have enough time to do the loop unless we leave Tokyo in the morning. I guess we will have to find another place to explore and spend the night.

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The Hakone loop was pleasant enough - but unless you can be sure of good weather maybe there are nicer places to go. We couldn't see Fuji on this trip - I think on a great day you can, and the trip across the lake is on a pirate type dressed up ship, very kitsch, but fine. So I wouldn't be too disappointed to go to somewhere else - there are many lovely things to see in Japan.

Visit here for the entire Hakone transport info:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-307.pdf
Also you can see in real time: Try Lake Ashi cam for Mt. Fuji view.
http://www.hakone.or.jp/english/index.html
If you have an access to internet, you can see before you leave, also.

When I was there last Dec., I was lucky enough to see the clear view of Mt. Fuji from the ropeway, bus, the vista point in the Hakone Machi