Researched guide · Checked on Nov 11, 2026
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Kamakura and Hakone are two of the most popular day trips from Tokyo, and many visitors only have time for one. This guide puts them side by side so you can choose.
Quick answer
First time in Japan? Pick Kamakura. One JR train takes you from Tokyo Station in about an hour, the town is easy to walk, and you get the Great Buddha, temples, food and the sea in one day.
Pick Hakone if hot springs, mountain views and Lake Ashi are the point of your trip, or if you can stay one night. It takes longer to reach and to get around, so start early.
Kamakura vs Hakone at a glance
| Kamakura | Hakone | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station, about 1 hour, no change | Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, about 80 minutes. Or the Shinkansen to Odawara |
| Train cost (adult) | ¥1,040 each way on JR from Tokyo Station. From Shinjuku, the 1-day Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass is ¥1,640 | Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku: ¥7,100 (2 days). The Romancecar costs ¥1,200 extra each way |
| Main sights | The Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Hase-dera, the sea | Hot springs, Owakudani, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine |
| Getting around | On foot and on the Enoden, a small local train | Mountain train, cable car, ropeway, sightseeing boat and buses |
| Time needed | A full day | A long full day, or two days with a night at a ryokan |
| Best for | First-timers, history, food and the sea | Hot springs, mountain scenery and a slower trip |
Fares are for adults and were checked on official sites in November 2026. They can change, so check before you go.
Choose Kamakura if…
- It is your first trip to Japan. One direct JR train from Tokyo Station, and most sights are a walk or a short Enoden ride apart.
- You want history in one place. The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in (¥300 for adults), Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Hase-dera are all in town.
- You want the sea. The Enoden runs along the coast, so you can add Enoshima on the way back.
- You want a cheaper day. The round trip on JR from Tokyo Station is ¥2,080, and the Great Buddha is ¥300 for adults.
Plan the day with our Kamakura day trip guide.
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Choose Hakone if…
- Hot springs are the point of your trip. Hakone is a hot spring area in the mountains. Read our onsen etiquette guide before you go.
- You want mountains and a lake. The classic loop uses a mountain train, a cable car, a ropeway and a sightseeing boat on Lake Ashi.
- You start from Shinjuku. The Romancecar runs directly to Hakone-Yumoto in about 80 minutes.
- You can stay one night. The loop is long for one day, and a ryokan night makes it relaxed.
Plan the loop with our Hakone day trip guide. The Hakone Freepass covers the trains, cable car, ropeway, sightseeing boat and buses in set areas, plus one round trip on the Odakyu Line.
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Can you do both in one day?
Not comfortably. Each one fills a full day, and they start from different stations in Tokyo: Kamakura from Tokyo Station on JR, Hakone from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line. If you have two free days, give each its own day. If you have one, follow the pick above.
Tips for either trip
- Go on a weekday if you can. In Kamakura, weekends and holidays are very busy, and the Enoden gets crowded.
- Start early. In Hakone, clear mornings give the best chance of seeing Mt. Fuji.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Kamakura has temple steps and hills, and the Hakone loop involves many transfers.
- See all our options in best day trips from Tokyo.
FAQ
Which is better for first-timers, Kamakura or Hakone?
Kamakura. It is one direct JR train from Tokyo Station, it is easy to walk, and you can see the Great Buddha, temples and the sea in one day.
How long does it take to get there from Tokyo?
About 1 hour to Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station, and about 80 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto on the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku.
Which is cheaper?
Kamakura. The JR fare is ¥1,040 each way from Tokyo Station. For Hakone, the 2-day Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku is ¥7,100, and the Romancecar adds ¥1,200 each way.
Can I see Mt. Fuji?
From Hakone on clear days, especially in the morning. Near Kamakura, Enoshima also has views of Mt. Fuji on clear days.
Can I visit Kamakura and Hakone on the same day?
It is not practical. Each needs a full day, and they start from different stations in Tokyo.
Keep reading
Sources
This guide is based on the official information below, not on our own visit. Facts last checked against official sources on November 11, 2026. Fares can change, so please check before you go.
