Many visitors to Lake Ashi head straight for the pirate ship, the ropeway, or the most famous viewpoints.
But if I had two days here, I would experience a different side of Hakone.
Walking through historic streets, visiting peaceful gardens and art museums, and taking time to enjoy the beautiful lakeside scenery can be just as rewarding.
For this itinerary, I would stay at Hotel de Yama, which provides the perfect base for exploring this quieter side of Lake Ashi while enjoying a relaxing hotel stay.
Let’s get started.
Day 1 | Explore Moto-Hakone Before a Relaxing Hotel Stay
9:00 AM | Leave Your Luggage at Hotel de Yama
After arriving in Moto-Hakone, I would head to Hotel de Yama first.
For this itinerary, I’d choose Hotel de Yama because it offers the perfect balance of sightseeing and a peaceful hotel stay.
Even before check-in, the hotel can store your luggage, allowing you to explore comfortably.
9:30 AM | Visit Hakone Shrine
My first stop would be Hakone Shrine.
Arriving earlier in the day usually means fewer crowds, making it easier to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Although the famous lakeside torii gate is one of Hakone’s most popular photo spots, there’s often a long line for photos.
Since this itinerary focuses on enjoying the area at a relaxed pace, I would skip the queue and spend more time exploring the rest of Moto-Hakone instead.
Planning to visit Hakone Shrine? Here’s my complete guide.
10:30 AM | Walk Through the Cedar Avenue
From the shrine, I would continue along the Old Tokaido Cedar Avenue.
This historic path lined with towering cedar trees has been welcoming travelers for hundreds of years and is one of the most atmospheric walks in Hakone.
11:00 AM | Take a Tea Break at Oyasumidokoro
Before entering Hakone Checkpoint, I would stop by the small Oyasumidokoro near the entrance.
It’s a great place to take a short break with a cup of tea, a traditional Japanese sweet, or even some soft serve ice cream before continuing your walk.
11:30 PM | Explore Hakone Checkpoint
Next, I would visit Hakone Checkpoint.
The reconstructed buildings and exhibits offer a glimpse into the Edo period, while the lakeside views from the grounds are beautiful.
Planning to visit Hakone Checkpoint? Here’s my complete guide.
12:30 PM | Enjoy the Views at Onshi Hakone Park
After leaving the checkpoint, continue to Onshi Hakone Park.
The walk through the park leads to beautiful viewpoints overlooking Lake Ashi and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji.
Planning to visit Onshi Hakone Park? Here’s my complete guide.
1:30 PM | Lunch in Moto-Hakone
Instead of eating right at noon, I would have lunch a little later.
On a sunny day, my favorite option is to buy a sandwich from 7-Eleven or pick up some takeaway and enjoy lunch by the lake instead of waiting for a table at a restaurant. The benches and open lawn around Lake Ashi offer some of the best views in Moto-Hakone, making it a simple but memorable way to enjoy lunch.
2:30 PM | Visit Narukawa Art Museum
After lunch, I would head to Narukawa Art Museum.
The museum is famous for its impressive collection of modern Japanese paintings, but one of my favorite parts is the large panoramic window overlooking Lake Ashi.
It’s a peaceful place where you can slow down, appreciate the artwork, and enjoy one of the best views in Hakone—all in one visit.
Planning to visit Narukawa Art Museum? Here’s my complete guide.
4:00 PM | Check In at Hotel de Yama
After a full day of sightseeing, it’s finally time to check in.
From this point on, I’d slow down and enjoy the hotel itself. After all, one of the biggest reasons to stay at Hotel de Yama is its beautiful gardens and peaceful setting overlooking Lake Ashi.
I’d spend some time relaxing in my room, then enjoy a leisurely soak in the hotel’s natural hot spring before heading back outside.
Thinking about staying at Hotel de Yama?
→ Check the latest rates & availability for Hotel de Yama on Booking.com
5:30 PM | Stroll Through the Gardens
As the afternoon becomes quieter, I’d take a walk through Hotel de Yama’s beautiful gardens.
Seasonal flowers, peaceful pathways, and views of Lake Ashi create one of the hotel’s most memorable experiences.
From spring through autumn, the late afternoon is one of the best times to enjoy the gardens.
Because you’re staying overnight, you can enjoy the gardens after many day visitors have already left, making this one of the quietest and most relaxing times of the day.
Planning to stay at Hotel de Yama? Here’s my complete hotel review.
6:00 PM | Dinner at the Hotel
Finish the day with dinner at the hotel.
Whether you choose elegant French cuisine or traditional Japanese dining, dinner is another reason why staying at Hotel de Yama feels special.
After dinner, I would simply enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel.On a clear night, don’t forget to look up. Since the hotel sits on higher ground, the stars can be surprisingly beautiful.
Day 2 | A Relaxing Morning and More of Hakone
6:00 AM | Start the Day with a Morning Onsen
If I woke up early, the first thing I’d do is head to the hot spring.
After all, this is Hakone, and Hotel de Yama has its own natural hot spring source.
A quiet soak in the morning is one of the best ways to start the day.
7:00 AM | Enjoy the Gardens Before Breakfast
One of the biggest advantages of staying overnight is experiencing the gardens early in the morning.
The soft morning light, birdsong, and peaceful atmosphere make it feel completely different from the afternoon.
It’s the perfect way to start another relaxing day by Lake Ashi.
8:00 AM | Breakfast
After a morning walk, I’d enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out.
10:00 AM | Check Out
After checking out, take the complimentary shuttle back to Moto-Hakone Port and continue exploring.
10:30 AM | Cruise Across Lake Ashi
I’d board the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise for one last view of Lake Ashi.
Seeing the mountains and lakeshore from the water offers a completely different perspective from yesterday’s walk around Moto-Hakone.
12:00 PM | Walk Part of the Old Tokaido Stone Pavement
After returning to Moto-Hakone, I’d spend some time walking a section of the Old Tokaido Stone Pavement.
The moss-covered path has been used by travelers for hundreds of years and is one of Hakone’s most atmospheric walks.
1:00 PM | Take a Break at Amazake Chaya
Finish the trip with a stop at Amazake Chaya.
After walking the old road, it’s the perfect place to relax with a cup of traditional amazake or a simple Japanese snack before heading home.
Final Thoughts
If I wanted to enjoy Lake Ashi at a slower pace, this is the itinerary I would choose.
Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, this trip combines history, nature, art, and a relaxing hotel stay, allowing you to experience a quieter side of Hakone.
If you’re looking for a peaceful way to explore Lake Ashi, I think this itinerary is hard to beat.
Ready to experience this itinerary for yourself?
☛ Check the latest rates & availability for Hotel de Yama on Booking.com
Photo Credit: All photos were taken by the author unless otherwise noted.
