The Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku (about ¥7,100), the Romancecar seat (about ¥1,200), the Fujikyu bus from Gotemba (from about ¥2,300) and the highway bus back to Shinjuku (from about ¥2,200). Add the bus from Togendai to Gotemba, the lake loop bus and a taxi to the campground.
Best time to go
Late autumn to early spring, when Mt. Fuji is most often clear. In summer it is often hidden by cloud.
Closing days
Hakone-Yumoto Eva-ya has irregular closing days. Buses around the lakes run roughly once an hour.
Walking (our estimate)
Light to moderate: roughly 3–6 km a day, plus a steep optional climb to the Nakanokura Pass viewpoint.
Check before you go. One of the official pages we used has changed or gone since we last checked (2026-10-26), so some details here may be out of date. Please confirm opening hours and access on the official site under Sources.
Evangelion's fortified city, Tokyo-3, is set in Hakone, and the town has run official collaborations with the series for years. On the other side of Mt. Fuji, the first episode of Laid-Back Camp opens at a campground on Lake Motosu, facing the view of Fuji printed on the 1,000-yen note. This route links the two by bus around the south and east of the mountain: Hakone on day one, a night by Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Motosu on the morning of day two, and back to Shinjuku by evening.
Times, fares and opening hours are approximate. Check the official pages under Sources before you go (last checked September 18, 2026).
1
Day 1
Shinjuku → Hakone → Lake Kawaguchi
Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto, the Evangelion shop, the Hakone loop, then buses via Gotemba to Kawaguchiko.
Early morning
Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto
The Odakyu Romancecar runs direct from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto in about 85 min (all seats reserved). If you can, send big suitcases ahead with a luggage delivery service: today involves several buses.
1
Morning
Hakone-Yumoto Eva-ya
The official Evangelion goods shop on the first floor of Hakone-Yumoto Station, open roughly 9:00–18:00 (irregular closing days). Hakone Town calls itself the real "Tokyo-3".
Ride the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora and continue to Togendai Station 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.
Afternoon
Hakone → Gotemba → Kawaguchiko
Continue to Gotemba Station by bus (check the Hakone-side timetable yourself), then take the Fujikyu bus from Gotemba Station to Kawaguchiko Station. Check both timetables before you set off: missing a connection can cost an hour.
Evening
Lake Kawaguchi
Check in by the lake. On a clear evening Mt. Fuji is right across the water.
The Laid-Back Camp view of Fuji at Lake Motosu, then the highway bus or Fuji Excursion back to Tokyo.
Early morning
Kawaguchiko → Lake Motosu
Fujikyu's lake loop bus links Kawaguchiko Station with Lake Motosu (the route runs Shin-Fuji, Motosuko, Shojiko, Kawaguchiko). Note the return times as soon as you arrive.
2
Morning
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.
The 1,000-yen-note view of Mt. Fuji. Yamanashi's official Laid-Back Camp page describes a walk of about 20–30 min up from near the campground.
Afternoon
Back to Kawaguchiko, then Shinjuku
Loop bus back to Kawaguchiko Station, then the Fujikyu/Keio highway bus to Shinjuku (about 1 hr 45 min, more in weekend traffic) or the Fuji Excursion limited express (about 2 hr, a few trains a day, reserve early).
Terminus
Where to stay
Hotel links go straight to the booking site. We get nothing from them.
Terminus · stay in
Kawaguchiko
Night 1, by Lake Kawaguchi, where the Fujikyu buses to Lake Motosu and the highway bus to Shinjuku start.
About ¥7,100 (2 days, adult, from Shinjuku); about ¥6,000 from Odawara
Unlimited rides on the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable car, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise and designated buses in Hakone, plus a discounted Odakyu fare from Shinjuku. The Romancecar needs a separate seat ticket. On this route you leave Hakone by bus, so check whether the Gotemba bus is included and whether the one-way use still pays off.
Fujikyu runs the Gotemba-Kawaguchiko line, the lake loop to Motosu and, with Keio, the highway bus to Shinjuku. Highway bus seats are reserved; book ahead for weekends.
Some links here are partner links: we get a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
Please note
Visiting with respect
Koan Campground is a private, paid campground. Day visitors should ask at reception and must not walk through other people's pitches.
Take all your trash home and don't pick plants.
In Hakone, the collaboration signs and goods are at shops, stations and public facilities. Don't take signs or stickers as souvenirs.
Line up at the stop and let passengers off before you board.
Good to know
FAQ
Is there much Evangelion to see in Hakone today?
Less than during the big 2020 campaign. The official Eva-ya shop at Hakone-Yumoto Station is open, and Hakone Town's tourism site lists the collaboration. The Evangelion wrapped buses that Hakone Tozan Bus ran for the campaign have been retired one by one: Unit-00 in May 2022, Unit-01 and Unit-08 in spring 2023, and Mark.6 on July 15, 2024. The operator's July 2024 notice said the Unit-02 bus was still running; we could not confirm whether it is today, so do not plan the trip around it.
Can I stay at Koan Campground like in the anime?
Yes, it is a working campground that takes bookings. Check its official site for rules and rental gear.
Are the other Laid-Back Camp spots near here?
Many are on the Minobu side, south of Lake Motosu: Yamanashi's official page lists places like Utsubuna Station and the Nanbu Bridge. They need a separate half day by the JR Minobu Line.
Can I do this without a car?
Yes, as planned here. A car makes Lake Motosu easier but is not needed.
Transfer
Combine with nearby routes
Have more days? These routes start or end close to this one.
