Evangelion Hakone & Laid-Back Camp Lake Motosu: 2 Days Around Mt. Fuji

Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto

The Odakyu Romancecar runs direct from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto in approx. 75 min (all seats reserved). Send big luggage ahead with a hotel delivery service if you can: today has several buses.

Hakone-Yumoto Eva-ya

The official Evangelion goods shop on the first floor of Hakone-Yumoto Station, open approx. 9:00-18:00 (irregular closing days). Hakone Town calls itself the real "Tokyo-3".

Up through Hakone to Togendai

Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora, the cable car to Sounzan, then the ropeway over Owakudani to Togendai on Lake Ashi. Fans report an Evangelion Unit-01 figure at Togendai Station from the collaboration; we could not confirm on an official page that it is still there.

Hakone → Gotemba → Kawaguchiko

Take a bus from Togendai (or Sengokuhara) to Gotemba Station (approx. 40-50 min), then the Fujikyu bus from Gotemba Station to Kawaguchiko Station (approx. 70 min, or approx. 90 min on runs via Oshino Hakkai). Check both timetables before you set off: missing a connection can cost an hour.

Lake Kawaguchi

Check in by the lake. On a clear evening Mt. Fuji is right across the water.

Kawaguchiko → Lake Motosu

Fujikyu's lake loop bus reaches the Lake Motosu area in approx. 55-60 min from Kawaguchiko Station. Buses are roughly hourly, so note the return times as soon as you arrive.

Koan Campground and the lake shore

The campground from the first episode, on the north shore. It is not on the bus loop: the campground's own access page says to take a taxi (or its pickup) from the Motosuko bus stop. It is privately run, so if you are not camping, ask at reception before walking around, and don't disturb campers.

Nakanokura Pass viewpoint (optional)

The 1,000-yen-note view of Mt. Fuji. Yamanashi's official Laid-Back Camp page describes a walk of approx. 20-30 min up from near the campground. Wear proper shoes; the path is steep in places.

Back to Kawaguchiko, then Shinjuku

Loop bus back to Kawaguchiko Station, then the Fujikyu/Keio highway bus to Shinjuku (approx. 1 hr 45 min, more in weekend traffic) or the Fuji Excursion limited express (approx. 2 hr, a few trains a day, reserve early).