Tokyo is an incredible city with kids — but let’s be honest, it’s also intense.
Big crowds, long walking days, and packed transport can be exhausting when you’re traveling with young kids.
During our 4-day stay in Tokyo with kids, we knew we wanted to add a bit of nature and a slower pace — but without overloading ourselves with too many long day trips.
That’s why we limited ourselves to just two Tokyo day trips during this trip: Mt. Fuji and Hakone. We wanted experiences that felt special but were still manageable within a family rhythm.
Hakone with kids stood out for us with a few key reasons:
- It’s known for mountains, lakes, and fresh air—a big contrast to Tokyo
- Many attractions are connected by fun transportation, which keeps kids engaged
- It offers nature and novelty without needing intense hiking or long walks
- It felt like a calmer, more scenic way to experience Japan with children
We also went in knowing we would not try to complete the full Hakone Round loop in one day. With two young kids, that would have been rushed and exhausting. Instead, we chose the most doable and kid-friendly parts—and that made all the difference.
Our goal wasn’t to “see everything.”
It was to enjoy Hakone with kids in a way that actually worked for our family.
What Makes Hakone Special?
Hakone is a mountain town located a couple of hours from Tokyo, and it’s one of the most popular nature escapes for both locals and visitors. What makes it especially interesting for families is that it’s not just about scenery—it’s about how you experience the scenery.
Hakone is known for:
- Mountain landscapes and cooler air
- Lake Ashi, with sightseeing boats
- Owakudani (the Great Boiling Valley) with steaming volcanic activity
- Ropeways, mountain trains, and cable cars
- Hot spring towns and scenic viewpoints
It’s also one of the classic places people hope to catch views of Mt. Fuji, especially in winter—although, as we learned, that always depends on weather and visibility.
Compared to cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, Hakone feels more open, quieter, and slower. For kids, that change of pace can be refreshing. And for parents, it can feel like a much-needed breather from city crowds.
In the next sections, I’ll walk you through exactly how we got there, what we did, what worked well with kids—and what was harder—so you can decide if Hakone fits your own family travel style.
Is Hakone a Good Day Trip from Tokyo with Kids?
The honest answer is yes—Hakone can be a wonderful day trip from Tokyo with kids, but only if you keep your expectations realistic.
Hakone is not a quick, easy hop. Travel time from Tokyo is close to two hours each way, and once you arrive, you’ll still be moving between different transport types—trains, cable cars, ropeways, and boats. With young kids, that automatically makes it a longer, more demanding day than it looks on a map.
For us, Hakone worked because we didn’t try to do everything.
Instead of attempting the full Hakone Round Course, we focused on the easier, kid-friendly activities covered by the Hakone Free Pass. That allowed us to enjoy the fun parts—the mountain transport, the Great Boiling Valley, and Lake Ashi—without turning the day into a race.
It was still tiring. There’s no sugarcoating that. Long travel days, weather changes, and crowds can all add to the fatigue. And in Japan, weather plays a big role—especially when it comes to mountain areas and Mt. Fuji views.
Since we had already done a Mt. Fuji day trip the day before, we didn’t go to Hakone only for Fuji views. That helped us enjoy Hakone for what it really is: a scenic mountain town with unique experiences, not just a Fuji viewing spot.
What made Hakone enjoyable for our kids was that so much of the day felt like an adventure. Riding different types of transport, seeing steaming volcanic areas, and even getting excited about the famous black eggs gave our daughter something to look forward to—beyond just sightseeing.
What not to expect on a Hakone day trip with kids:
- A slow, relaxed pace
- Time to complete the full Hakone loop
- Guaranteed Mt. Fuji views
- A short or low-energy day
If you’re comfortable with a longer, more active day—and you’re happy to skip some loop activities and focus on highlights—Hakone can be a very rewarding family day trip from Tokyo.
For families with very young kids or limited energy, Hakone can also be even better as an overnight stay, which we would personally consider next time.
Best Time to Visit Hakone with Kids
Hakone is a year-round destination, but the experience can feel very different depending on when you go—especially when you’re traveling with kids and hoping for good mountain views.
Spring (March–April) is beautiful, with cherry blossoms and mild temperatures. It’s a lovely time to visit with kids, but it can also be busier due to peak sakura season.
Autumn (September–November) is another great family-friendly time, with cooler weather and stunning fall colors in the mountains. This is often one of the most comfortable seasons for walking and outdoor sightseeing with children.
Winter (December–February) is considered one of the best times to potentially see Mt. Fuji in clear conditions. We found winter appealing because of the crisp air and better visibility—but it’s also colder, and weather can change quickly in mountain areas.
From our experience, Hakone is less about picking a “perfect” month and more about being flexible. Clear skies make a big difference, but even on cloudy days, the transport experiences and scenery still make Hakone enjoyable for kids.
Getting to Hakone from Tokyo with Kids (Step-by-Step)
Getting to Hakone with kids is very doable—but it’s not quick. Knowing what to expect makes a huge difference for planning energy, naps, and expectations.
Here’s exactly how we did it and what worked for our family.
Hakone Free Pass—Is It Worth It for Families?
We purchased the Hakone Free Pass from the Odakyu Sightseeing Center at the Shinjuku West Exit. The pass covers round-trip travel from Tokyo and most transportation within Hakone, including trains, cable cars, ropeways, and the Lake Ashi sightseeing boat.
At the time of our trip, the price was around ¥5,000 ($32.42) for adults, with discounted child pricing, and our baby traveled free. For a family, it can feel expensive—especially if you’re only visiting for one day.
For us, it still made sense because:
- It removed the stress of buying multiple tickets
- It covered almost all the transport we planned to use
- It made transfers easier with kids in tow
- It allowed flexibility if plans changed
If you plan to use more than one or two Hakone transport types, the Free Pass can be worth it even for a day—especially with children, when convenience really matters.
Our Actual Route from Tokyo to Hakone (With Kids)
We started early, leaving Shinjuku around 7:00 AM with a quick 7-Eleven visit to pick up some stuff for our hungry companions, which I highly recommend when traveling with kids. Early starts help avoid some crowds and give you more breathing room for a long day.
Our route looked like this:
Shinjuku → Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto
The Odakyu train ride to Odawara was long but uneventful—which was actually a good thing with kids. It gave us time to relax, look out at the rural scenery, and even catch some rest. Seeing farms, open spaces, and the countryside of Japan felt like a nice mental shift from Tokyo’s intensity.
From Odawara, we transferred to the Hakone Tozan Line to reach Hakone-Yumoto. By this point, it had already been close to two hours of travel, and we were definitely ready to start the Hakone portion of the day.
One thing to expect: Hakone-Yumoto can be busy, with tour groups and lines forming quickly. We arrived to drizzle and crowds, which is very common in popular seasons. This is another reason why starting early and building in buffer time is so helpful for families.
Overall, while the journey from Tokyo to Hakone is long, breaking it into stages actually worked well for our kids—especially because trains offered chances to sit, snack, and rest before the more active parts of Hakone began.
Things to do in Hakone Day Trip with Kids
Instead of trying to rush the entire Hakone Round loop, we focused on the parts that felt most doable and exciting for kids. This made the day feel more like an adventure and less like a checklist.
With two young kids, including one in a carrier, we chose experiences that involved less walking and more transport-based sightseeing. That decision shaped our entire Hakone day — and honestly, it’s what made it enjoyable.
Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora
From Hakone-Yumoto, we took the Hakone Tozan Railway toward Gora. The train was quite crowded, but one thing we truly appreciated about Japan is how organized everything is. There are clear marker lines on the platform, and people actually follow them, which makes boarding with kids much less stressful.
The ride itself became part of the experience. The train slowly climbed through:
- Forested mountain areas
- Rivers and valleys
- Rows of colorful hydrangeas
- Small hot spring towns and traditional hotels
For our daughter, this wasn’t just transportation. Watching the scenery change, spotting rivers and trees, and riding a mountain train kept her engaged and excited — even after a long travel morning.
Why We Skipped the Hakone Open-Air Museum
(On Purpose)
The Hakone Open-Air Museum is one of the most popular family attractions in Gora, and it’s included in the Hakone Free Pass. Under different circumstances, we would have loved to visit.
But on this day, after an early start and long travel from Tokyo, we made a conscious choice to skip it.
Our younger one had just fallen into a deep nap in the carrier, and we didn’t want to wake him for a walking-heavy stop. Instead of adding more fatigue, we chose to keep our Hakone loop simpler and more energy-friendly.
For us, Hakone wasn’t about ticking off every attraction. It was about:
- Choosing experiences that required less walking
- Prioritizing transport-based activities
- Protecting nap time and energy levels
- Keeping the day enjoyable, not exhausting
This is something I really want to highlight for parents: in Hakone, the transportation itself becomes part of the attraction. Skipping one big stop can actually make the whole day smoother.
Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Sounzan
From Gora, we transferred to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car for a short uphill ride to Sounzan. This ride only takes about 10 minutes, but it adds another fun layer for kids who love different types of transport.
The cable car moved slowly uphill, with hydrangeas lining the tracks and a couple of small stops along the way. It felt calm and scenic — and like a gentle transition before the more dramatic ropeway experience.
For our kids, this was another moment of novelty — something they don’t get to ride back home — which helped keep energy and excitement up.
Owakudani with Kids: The Great Boiling Valley Experience
This was one of the most memorable and unique parts of our Hakone day — and also the most sensory.
From Sounzan, we boarded the Hakone Ropeway, which is more like an aerial tram suspended high above the valley. The cable car climbed higher and higher, and with strong winds that day, it did rock quite a bit — which was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking as parents.
For kids, though, this felt like a real adventure.
What Kids Will Love at Owakudani
- Riding high above the valley in the aerial tram
- The feeling of being “up in the air”
- Arcade-style game areas
- Souvenir shops
- Fun photo spots with conductor hats and outfits
There was even a small area where kids could dress up in a little conductor jacket and hat for photos. Our son happily tried it on, and it became one of those simple but joyful family memories that make trips special.
The Famous Black Eggs Experience
Owakudani is famous for its black eggs, which are hard-boiled eggs cooked in the area’s hot sulfur springs. The minerals turn the shells black, and there’s a local belief that eating one will add seven years to your life.
Eggs are sold in packs, and while they look dramatic, inside they taste like a regular hard-boiled egg — with a slight hint of sulfur smell.
For kids, though, this was fascinating. The idea of a black egg felt magical and strange in the best way. Our daughter was already excited just to see them, and it became a fun cultural moment rather than just another snack.
There are also Hello Kitty black egg displays, which were a hit for photo-loving kids.
Our tips to visit Owakudani with kids
This area is very sensory and can feel intense, especially with young kids:
- Strong sulfur smell
- Wind and rocking tram cars
- Fog that can limit valley views
- Busy shops and tour groups
That said, there are plenty of food options. We ate at one of the restaurants and had some of the best udon noodles and tempura of our trip — simple, warm, and perfect after being out in the wind.
Lake Ashi Pirate Ship with Kids
(Transport That Feels Like an Attraction)
From Owakudani, we continued on the ropeway to reach the Lake Ashi area. This is where you board the famous pirate-style sightseeing boats, which are supposed to offer great views — including Mt. Fuji on clear days.
We waited near the dock, watching the pirate ship rock on the water and hoping for clearer skies. Like many mountain days in Japan, visibility was mixed, and Mt. Fuji didn’t fully reveal itself.
But for kids, that honestly didn’t matter as much.
The pirate ship itself felt like an attraction — not just transport. Seeing a large, themed boat, watching swan boats nearby, and exploring the dock area gave our daughter plenty to look at and get excited about.
We also intentionally built in small café and snack breaks — including a quick stop near Amazake Tea House — which gave the kids time to sit, eat, and reset. These small pauses made a big difference.
What Was Hard (and What We’d Do Differently Next Time)
Hakone with kids on a day trip from Tokyo was enjoyable — but it wasn’t easy.
The hardest parts were:
- The long total travel time
- Weather changes and limited visibility
- Crowds at popular stations and attractions
- Feeling slightly rushed because of limited daylight
If we were to do Hakone again with kids, we would seriously consider staying overnight. That would allow a slower pace, less pressure to catch every connection, and more time to enjoy the scenery and museums without constantly watching the clock.
As a day trip, Hakone is doable and rewarding — but it’s also tiring. Knowing that going in makes the experience much more positive.
Is Hakone Worth It for Families?
For our family, yes — Hakone was absolutely worth it, with the right expectations.
If your kids enjoy trains, boats, cable cars, and anything that moves, Hakone feels less like traditional sightseeing and more like a full-day adventure. The variety of transport alone can make the day exciting and engaging for children.
However, Hakone might feel like too much if:
- You’re traveling with very limited energy
- Your child struggles with long transport days
- You want a slow, relaxed sightseeing pace
- You’re hoping to “see it all” in one day
It’s a longer and more active day than many parents expect. That said, we would still recommend Hakone to families — especially if you’re willing to skip some stops, simplify your loop, and focus on what works best for your kids.
We genuinely enjoyed Hakone because we shaped it around our family’s rhythm, not around a perfect or rushed itinerary.
Next time, we would strongly consider staying overnight. That would allow a slower pace, fewer time pressures, and a more relaxed way to enjoy the scenery — especially with young children.
Planning Japan with Kids? These Guides Can Help
If you’re planning Japan with kids, here are some of our most helpful family-tested guides to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable:
- Tokyo with kids — for city highlights, parks, and kid-friendly neighborhoods
- Mt. Fuji day trip with kids — if you’re hoping to see Japan’s most iconic mountain
- Best day trips from Tokyo with kids — to compare what’s truly worth the energy
- teamLab Borderless with kids — for a completely different, immersive indoor experience
- Kyoto with kids — if you love Hakone, Kyoto’s mix of culture and nature may also be a great fit
For us, this mix of city + nature + immersive experiences helped keep our kids engaged and prevented travel fatigue. Hakone added variety to our itinerary — and that variety is often what makes family trips feel balanced instead of overwhelming.
Did Hakone feel worth it for your family?
Or are you considering other day trips from Tokyo instead?
Share your experience or questions in the comments — your tips might help another parent plan a smoother, happier trip.