Is Hakone (day trip / overnight) worth it on a budget?
Worth itOn a budget
On a budget, Hakone (day trip / overnight) still earns its price.
¥6,000–10,000 w/ transit
A scenic loop by mountain railway, ropeway, pirate ship and onsen, with Fuji floating over Lake Ashi on a clear day — the classic relaxing escape, best as an overnight at a ryokan. The catches are real: it's much better with a clear day (Fuji hides often), the loop is a transport puzzle, and as a rushed day trip it's a lot of transit for the payoff.