It's rare to get to Hakone on a day when mt Fuji is completely visible. Rarer still for a view of the volcano to remain visible (on a day when it is) past 12noon. You'll need to be REALLY lucky to see it between 3pm and 6pm, it's definitely not something I would ever count on.
The "long circuitous bus route" is shown here:
http://www.hakonenavi.jp/topics/pdf/4730.pdf
Climbing mountains in buses leaves me feeling nauseous (used to be worse when I was a child), my personal prejudice is on display here.
The ropeway between Souzan and Ubako was slow, yes, but it was slow and scenic; an memorable attraction in itself.
Man, I hate Japanese curry*. And it's the speciality food of the Hakone area. I can just about deal with the pervasive aroma (it does stink out a dining hall) at the best of times, but after a winding bus trip...
:urk:
*it sums up the very worst aspects of everyday British cuisine in the 1970s