The Missing Link: How to Travel Between Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes

Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes are neighbors. Look at a map and they're practically touching. One is famous for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. The other is famous for... well, Mount Fuji itself.

So why is it so hard to get from one to the other?

This is one of the most common frustrations we hear from travelers. You're in Hakone, you want to see Fuji up close, and suddenly you discover there's no convenient way to make the journey. The train requires going all the way back through Tokyo. The bus involves transfers that would confuse a seasoned commuter. And a taxi? Brace yourself for the cost.

We drive this route regularly. And we've built a tour around solving exactly this problem.

Let's be honest about the options.

The Train: There is no direct train between Hakone and Kawaguchiko. To go by rail, you'd travel from Hakone-Yumoto back toward Tokyo, transfer at least twice, and eventually reach Otsuki Station before catching the Fujikyu Line to Kawaguchiko. Total travel time: around three and a half to four hours . For a journey that takes under an hour by car, that's a lot of wasted time.

The Bus: It's cheaper, but it's not simple. Most bus routes require a transfer at Gotemba Station. You'll take one bus from Hakone to Gotemba, then switch to the Fujikyu Bus for the final leg to Kawaguchiko . The total journey takes around two to three hours depending on connections. The buses don't run frequently, and if you miss a connection, you could be waiting a while.

The Taxi: A direct taxi from Hakone to Kawaguchiko will cost you somewhere between ¥30,000 and ¥35,000 . That's $190–$220 USD for a single journey. It works, but it's a significant expense.

None of these options are impossible. But none of them are pleasant either. And for travelers on a limited schedule, spending half a day in transit between two places that are geographically close feels like a waste.

This is why we created our Hakone-Fuji Five Lakes transfer tour.

It's simple. We pick you up from your hotel in Hakone (or from your accommodation in the Fuji Five Lakes area, if you're going the other direction). We load your luggage. And then we drive.

The journey takes about an hour and a half on a good day. But we don't just drive straight through. We make it worth your time.

Along the way, we visit places that most travelers never see. A hidden shrine, tucked away where the crowds don't go. A small wagashi shop - traditional Japanese sweets - hidden in a bamboo grove that's known almost exclusively to local Japanese tourists. If the weather cooperates, we stop at viewpoints where Mount Fuji reveals itself in ways the postcards don't show.

This isn't a shuttle service. It's a half-day experience that happens to end at your next destination.

We looked around. There are bus tours that connect Hakone and Kawaguchiko, but they're large-group coaches that run on fixed schedules with fixed stops. There are private drivers who will take you directly from A to B, but they're just driving - no local knowledge, no hidden spots, no context.

We live here. We know this route. We know which shrine is worth stopping at, which wagashi shop is the real deal, and where to find the best Fuji views depending on the season and the weather. And because we're a small-group operator, we can be flexible. If a spot is crowded, we adjust. If the mountain is clear, we seize the moment.

Practical Details

Direction: We offer this tour in both directions. Hakone to Fuji Five Lakes, or Fuji Five Lakes to Hakone.

Pickup: Your hotel, ryokan, or a convenient meeting point.

Duration: The full experience takes around half a day, depending on stops and weather.

Luggage: We can accommodate luggage, making this a perfect transfer between two destinations.

Group size: Small and private. It's your journey.

If you're planning to visit both Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes - and you absolutely should - don't let the transport logistics discourage you. We've solved this problem. We'd love to show you the places most travelers miss along the way.

See you on the road.

- The Kawaguchiko Tours Team