Originally Posted by
nycnyc
Hi everyone, I'm going to be in Tokyo at the end of March and planning to take a day trip too. Currently deciding between Kamakura and Hakone but not sure which one to pick. I need to be back in Tokyo that evening (dinner reservations at 9 PM) but I don't mind leaving early in the morning to see as much as possible at either place.
I know it overly simplifies them, but is Kamakura VS Hakone kind of like cultural sights VS nature sights? Can I see a lot in Hakone in just a day or will it feel rushed? If I go to Hakone, I'd definitely want to visit the Open Air Museum--is that doable in an hour or two? Also, does the weather at the end of March factor into choosing between them?
This is my personal preference, but for me it'd be Hakone >> Kamakura. And if you've already been to Kyoto and you've seen enough temples and shrines, then definitely Hakone.
Hakone is best if you can stay the night, but it's also very much doable as a day trip and it won't feel rushed as long as you don't pack too much into the day. What I recommend is to do the Open Air Museum (Chokokunomori), go as far as Owakudani on Hakone Ropeway (you'll ride over a breathtaking ravine steaming with onsen), then spend some time at Owakudani, do the U-turn, and stop by Yumoto on the way back to check out souvenirs and stop in at a day-use onsen. Actually you don't have to do the day onsen at Yumoto... there are many other places in Hakone where you can do this. There are hotels that have onsen+lunch package for people who want to stop in for a couple hours. I'd allow 2hrs at Chokokunomori (Air Open Museum). You should be able to plan a trip where you do all this at a leisurely pace and easily make it back to Tokyo before 9pm.