Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes?

Hi
Thank you for your time.
We (husband, myself and 7y.o triplets) will leave Osaka on the 20.03.16 heading back towards Tokyo to fly out on 23.02.16.

My children are hopeful to see Mt Fuji. I am struggling though to work out which will be the best option from Osaka - Hakone 0r Fuji 5 Lakes.

We would like to see Mt Fuji, maybe even go to level 5, a ropeway etc. I guess they just want to say that they have been there and hopefully see it.

I would also love to stay at a Ryokan that would accommodate my family of 5 without costing a small fortune. Most places I look don't even give me a chance when I put in 3 kids!

Can anyone please suggest the best option and even better recommend a suitable ryokan.

We will have the JR Pass.

Thanks for your help.
Michelle

20.03.16 heading back towards Tokyo to fly out on 23.02.16.

time machine!!

Going to the fifth station means you are on Mt Fuji. Though, this counts as seeing Mt Fuji, people usually like to see it from a far as it looks pretty with the mix of fore and back-ground.

I would choose Hakone for the kids as there are trains and the ferry that may be more interesting to them. Also playing in Yunnossen hotel ....

If you have the time, you can see both. Look at the pass that offers the loop from Tokyo to both areas. Hakone Fuji Free Pass, i believe it is named.

If you can't get a booking at a ryokan and already have a hotel booked in Tokyo. You would be better off seeing Mt.Fuji as a day trip on the 21st or 22nd.

As the above poster said (and what I would also recommend), Hakone is a better option if you have children with you. There's the Hakone Tozan Railway, pirate themed boats across Lake Ashinoko and a reconstruction of the old Tokaido & Hakone checkpoint.

One thing to keep in mind though is the Hakone Ropeway isn't in operation across its entirety and Owakudani (where you can get the black eggs) is currently a no entry zone due to increased volcanic activity.

I would recommend getting the Hakone Free Pass http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html and doing the Hakone Round Course http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html

Bare in mind though that between Souzan and Togendai there is a substitute bus (instead of the ropeway) which is covered by the pass.

This is something I have done previously (though when I went the ropeway was still in action). And on a clear day you do get beautiful views of Mt.Fuji from Lake Ashinoko.

I could also recommend a family friendly onsen if its something that you're interested in doing?

I would actually recommend doing on the Fuji Five Lakes side at Lake Kawaguchi. You can get retro bus pass to visit around the area. There is also Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Very nice views of Mt Fuji when it is a good clear day. As for going to 5th Station, you can also buy bus ticket to 5th station and back from Kawaguchi Station. Although I did most of the area by starting early and ending late, I did this with only me and friend so with Kids maybe need to make it two days so its not too rushed. I would also recommend renting a car as well, then you can stay longer at location if needed or leave earlier when finish as the Bus Times are not that frequent.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6906.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6917.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6902.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6916.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji.html

Hope this helps!!
Have Fun!!

Hakone go at the begining of summer not too crowded

We would like to see Mt Fuji, maybe even go to level 5, a ropeway etc. I guess they just want to say that they have been there and hopefully see it.

If seeing the mountain is the priority then you should go to Lake Kawaguchiko. From there you'll have a very high chance of seeing the mountain from all around the area especially in the morning before the clouds roll in. You can also see it from Hakone, but geography and weather conditions usually result in drastically lower chances of views and only from specific points.

I would also love to stay at a Ryokan that would accommodate my family of 5 without costing a small fortune. Most places I look don't even give me a chance when I put in 3 kids!

There are quite a few budget friendly spots around Lake Kawaguchiko. Here's a few recommended sites:

http://www.japan-guide.com/hotels/fujigoko.html

Thanks for the responses.
So I've decided that Hakone is the better option as it appears that there is more to do.
I've started looking for accommodation but as usual am finding it very hard being a family of 5 (3 kids).
Can anyone suggest a suitable ryokan to stay at. We are only going to be there 1 night on the 20th March.

Also from Osaka is it best to get the Shinkansen all the way to Odawara or would it be best to get off before that.

Also is there a suggested order to do the main attractions in?

Thanks for your help.

Easy peasy - the japanese/western rooms at Lalaca at Gora are massive, you could easily fit 5 into them. And the people that run it are just awesome. We stayed there for 3 or 4 nights about 4 years ago now, the food is great, the hotel is quite arty and nice, the rooms are big, and the onsens are nice. http://lalaca.com/English.html

Just a caution though, if your kids get into the onsen water with any clothes on, you'll have to throw the togs out because of the sulfur smell.

I've done a search for you on Japanican and I have found a few results. Most quotes though are between $800 - $1000 http://www.japanican.com/en/hotel/list/14/140603/?navcheckin=20160320&...

However I have found one place for $192 http://www.japanican.com/en/hotel/detail/4306A24/?ar=14&sar=140603&nav...

I wouldn't say its the best place for a true ryokan experience. But unless you are willing to spend a lot of money. This place would be your best option.


Also from Osaka is it best to get the Shinkansen all the way to Odawara or would it be best to get off before that.

I would get off the Shinkansen at Odawara. At Odawara Station you should purchase the Hakone Free Pass (this will give you unlimited travel on transportation in Hakone). Then take the Hakone Tozan Railway (for Hakone Yumoto) to Hakone Yumoto. Then transfer onto the Hakone Tozan Railway (for Gora) to Gora.

Also is there a suggested order to do the main attractions in?
Most people do the Hakone Round Course (also what I did whilst in Hakone)
As I said previousl Owakudani is currently closed and there are substitute buses between Souzan and Togendai.

Just a caution though, if your kids get into the onsen water with any clothes on, you'll have to throw the togs out because of the sulfur smell.

Which should be a non-issue as you are not supposed to enter the onsen with clothes on...

That is true. My girls (about 12 and 14 at the time) used the private one and due to modesty kept their togs on. Their suitcase smelled like rotten eggs for the rest of the trip.

Thank you everyone for your help.
I've been very lucky to get the last available room at the Lalaca.
Looking forward to our stay.

Cheers Michelle. It is the Japanese/western rooms that are big and I think there are only 2 of them. The Japanese rooms are pretty big (for Japanese standards) but you'd struggle fitting 5 in them. Post how you go, I thought it was a lovely place. And order a "Plum Sour" - they make then the best I've had, I've never had them as good since.

Michelle, just a word of warning about Hakone. While there is a lot to do, there is also a high chance of not seeing Mount Fuji. I spent three days there, going to all the spots that have a view and I could not see Mount Fuji. The slightest haze, low clouds, rain, snow, fog will prevent you from seeing the mountain.