Hakone Travel Guide: Hot Springs, Mount Fuji Views & Nature Escapes

Just 90 minutes from Tokyo lies Hakone (箱根)—a mountainous town famed for its hot springs, breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, volcanic landscapes, and open-air art museums. As a tour guide, I always recommend Hakone to travelers wanting a perfect balance of nature, culture, and relaxation.
 

Whether you’re planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Hakone is one of Japan’s most diverse and rewarding destinations.

🚆 How to Get to Hakone

🚄 From Tokyo

Odakyu Romancecar: Direct express train from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto Station (90 minutes)

Japan Rail (JR): From Tokyo Station to Odawara Station (via Shinkansen), then transfer to Hakone Tozan Railway

🚍 Hakone Free Pass (Odakyu Railways): Includes round-trip travel, bus, ropeway, cable car, and boat rides

📍 Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto are the main entry points into Hakone.

🗻 Top Attractions in Hakone

⛩️ 1. Hakone Shrine

A beautiful lakeside shrine hidden in a cedar forest near Lake Ashi.

📸 Don’t miss the iconic torii gate in the water

🧘‍♀️ Peaceful atmosphere, especially in the early morning

💧 Believed to bring blessings for safe travels

🛥️ 2. Lake Ashi (Ashinoko)

A stunning crater lake formed by a volcanic eruption over 3,000 years ago.

🛳️ Pirate Ship Cruise – a fun and scenic ride with views of Mt. Fuji on clear days

🥾 Lakeside walking trails

🌅 Fuji views are best in the morning, especially in winter

🚠 3. Hakone Ropeway

A must-do activity that glides over Hakone’s volcanic valley.

Route: From Togendai Station (on Lake Ashi) to Owakudani and beyond

⛰️ Offers panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and the steaming sulfur fields

🚨 Temporarily closed during volcanic activity—check ahead

🌋 4. Owakudani Volcanic Valley

A dramatic, active volcanic zone with steaming vents and sulfur springs.

🥚 Try the famous black eggs (kuro-tamago) boiled in volcanic water—legend says one adds 7 years to your life!

🧼 Sulfur smell is strong—bring a mask if sensitive

🖼️ 5. Hakone Open-Air Museum

An extraordinary blend of art and nature, featuring large-scale outdoor sculptures.

Artists include Picasso, Henry Moore, Niki de Saint Phalle

🎨 Great for families and art lovers alike

🎠 Children’s play areas and footbaths included

🖌️ 6. POLA Museum of Art

Home to one of Japan’s best collections of European and Japanese paintings, nestled in the forest.

🎨 Monet, Renoir, Picasso, and Japanese nihonga

🌳 Architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape

♨️ Onsen (Hot Springs) in Hakone

Hakone is one of Japan’s top hot spring resorts with dozens of options ranging from luxurious ryokan to casual day-use baths.

🏯 Traditional Ryokan Stays

Gora Kadan – Luxury ryokan with kaiseki meals and private baths

Yamanochaya – A riverside retreat with serene forest views

Hakone Pax Yoshino – A mid-range option with both public and private baths

🛁 Day-Use Onsens

Tenzan Onsen – Rustic and popular with locals, outdoor baths in a natural setting

Yunessun Spa Resort – Family-friendly, with themed pools like wine or green tea baths

🔔 Tattoos may not be allowed in some onsens—check ahead or look for tattoo-friendly facilities.

🏞️ Outdoor Activities & Hiking in Hakone

🥾 1. Old Tokaido Road (Hakone Sekisho)

Walk a preserved part of the ancient Edo-period highway that connected Kyoto and Tokyo.

Cobblestone paths lined with towering cedar trees

Hakone Checkpoint (Sekisho): Historic samurai-era border station turned museum

⛰️ 2. Mt. Kintoki Hike

A moderate hike to the peak offering panoramic views of Mt. Fuji.

🕐 2-3 hours round trip

🦊 Linked to folklore about the mountain boy Kintaro

🌸 3. Seasonal Gardens & Parks

Gora Park – French-style gardens with a tea house and craft workshops

Hakone Botanical Garden – Great in spring and summer

🏨 Where to Stay in Hakone

Hakone has accommodation options for all budgets—from luxury ryokan to budget guesthouses.

💎 Luxury Ryokan

Gora Kadan (former imperial retreat)

Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa

🏨 Mid-range Hotels

Hotel Green Plaza Hakone – Onsen with Fuji views

Hakone Suimeisou – Near Hakone-Yumoto Station

🛏️ Budget & Guesthouses

K's House Hakone – Friendly backpacker hostel with onsen

Guesthouse Azito – Stylish and affordable

🍱 What to Eat in Hakone

🥢 Local Specialties

Kuro-tamago (black eggs)

Yuba (tofu skin) dishes

Wagyu beef hot pot (shabu shabu)

Wasabi-zuke (fermented wasabi stems)

🍰 Café Culture

Bakery & Table Hakone – Lakeside bakery café with a footbath

Naraya Café – Cozy café built into a former ryokan near Miyanoshita Station

🧳 Suggested Itinerary: 2 Days in Hakone

📅 Day 1: Scenic Highlights

🚆 Arrive via Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto

🏛️ Visit Hakone Shrine and walk along Lake Ashi

🚢 Take the Pirate Cruise to Togendai

🚠 Ride the Ropeway to Owakudani

♨️ Stay in a ryokan with hot springs

📅 Day 2: Art and Culture

🍳 Breakfast at ryokan

🖼️ Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum or POLA Museum

☕ Stop at Gora Park and cafés

🥾 Optional hike or historical trail

🚆 Return to Tokyo in the evening

📸 Best Photo Spots in Hakone

📷 Lake Ashi Torii Gate with Mt. Fuji in the background

📷 Owakudani steaming vents

📷 Hakone Open-Air Museum sculptures

📷 Hakone Shrine forest path

📷 Fuji views from the ropeway

📅 Best Time to Visit Hakone

🌸 Spring (Mar–May): Cherry blossoms, pleasant weather

🍁 Autumn (Oct–Nov): Colorful leaves in the mountains

❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb): Crisp Fuji views and cozy onsen baths

🌻 Summer (Jul–Aug): Lush greenery, escape from city heat

💡 Travel Tips for Visiting Hakone

🎟️ Get a Hakone Free Pass to save money on transportation and attractions

⏰ Start early—many museums and ropeways close by 5PM

🧥 Weather in the mountains can change quickly—bring layers

📱 Mobile signal may be weak in some valleys—download offline maps

🌟 Why Visit Hakone?

Hakone is where nature meets culture, and relaxation meets exploration. Whether you want to gaze at Mt. Fuji from a steaming onsen, cruise across a lake in a pirate ship, or immerse yourself in world-class art surrounded by mountains, Hakone has it all.

Just a short ride from Tokyo, this charming hot spring town is the perfect place to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with the beauty of Japan.