Hakone
East Asia · Japan
Did you know?
- The black eggs boiled in the sulphurous waters at Owakudani are a must-try; five eggs cost ¥500.
- Hiking trails around the lake provide panoramic views.
- Volcanic hot springs and views of Mount Fuji anchor this historic mountain escape.
See also
Overview
Hakone is a mountainous getaway west of Tokyo, known for volcanic hot springs, Mount Fuji views, and a historic Tokaido checkpoint. Its location makes it a popular escape from the capital.
Languages: Japanese
Why go?
Hakone is a mountainous area west of Tokyo in Japan, known for its volcanic hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, and the Hakone checkpoint on the historical Tokaido road. It is a popular getaway from the capital.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Modes of transport in Hakone include the scenic Hakone-Tozan Line mountain railway, the Hakone-Tozan Cablecar, the Hakone Ropeway, and the Hakone Sightseeing Ships on Lake Ashi. Most people opt for the Odakyu Hakone Free Pass, which includes a return trip from Shinjuku and unlimited use of all these transports for 2 or 3 days. Buses also serve the area, with the last bus around 20:00.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
The volcanically active Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park centered on Lake Ashinoko offers views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Notable attractions include the Great Boiling Valley (Owakudani) with its sulphurous springs, the Hakone Open Air Museum with sculptures and a Picasso pavilion, the Pola Museum of Art, and the Hakone Jinja Shrine with torii gates in the water. No trip is complete without a dip in a Japanese hot spring (onsen); many hotels open their baths for around ¥500. Hiking trails around the lake provide panoramic views.
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Food and drink
Hakone's natural spring water is used to make soba noodles, served cold or hot with sides like tofu and tempura. The black eggs boiled in the sulphurous waters at Owakudani are a must-try; five eggs cost ¥500. For craft beer, try Hakone beer from the local brewery. Vegan options are available at Nukafuku bakery near Gora station. PUBSTOP Pizza & Bar serves draft beers and pizzas with vegetarian options.
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Where to stay
Hakone has many onsen ryokan, traditional Japanese inns featuring hot springs. Prices are generally high, especially on weekends, due to the proximity of Tokyo. Budget options include Kappa-tengoku and Fuji Hakone Guest House, while mid-range and luxury ryokan like Hotel Suimeisou, Ryokan Kiritani Hakoneso, and Fujiya Hotel offer traditional experiences with meals included.
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Go next
Nearby destinations include Gotemba, Odawara, Yugawara, Atami, Susono, and Mount Fuji. The area is well-connected by train and bus.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
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Asante Inn
Guest house with a Japanese garden and two private hot spring baths, which guests can reserve for an hour.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Fuji Hakone Guest House
Very well located guest house popular with Japanese and foreigners. Comfortable Japanese style rooms and breakfast are available. There are two natural hot baths available for guests' use - the indoors one is free, and the outdoors is ¥500 per half-hour. As you check in, you'll be prompted to choose the preferred times - the baths will be then reserved for your exclusive use. Staff speak English, and the owners, Mr and Mrs Takahashi, are happy to offer sightseeing advice.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Fujiya Hotel
One of the oldest Western-style hotels in Japan, dating back to 1891, it was inspired by Victorian American hostelry, but it has an English feel to it. The Fujiya has its own onsen, koi pond, and gardens. With a choice between the Japanese and Western breakfasts, go for the Japanese, with little portions of fish and vegetables. Although expensive, get the rate with the meals included, as there are few other options for dining in the area.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Gora Kadan
This Relais Chateaux hotel has 37 guestrooms with large bathrooms. The hotel is styled after a ryokan, but boasts many more services including a pool, amazingly designed rooms and a spa. All that luxury doesn't come cheap, however.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Hakone Hotel Kowakien
It is a resort hotel surrounded by nature in Hakone. The rooms vary from Japanese style, European style to Japanese-European style. There are open-air onsens so you can enjoy the bath and the view of nature. Restaurant is a smorgasbord style with European style meal, Japanese style meal, iron plate grills and so on. For guests who are not used to travel around Japan, there are many rooms, onsens, restaurants and other facilities so guests can enjoy the stay with no worries.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Hakone Onsen Lalaca Hotel
It is said that many people got to know about Hakone Onsen after Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a general during the age of civil wars fought at a battle in Odawara. In Edo Era, it attracted many people as one of the Onsens along Tokaido, one of 5 major boulevards in Japan. The hotel has 8 rooms, which range from 1 to 5 people, breakfast and dinner included in all rates, hotspring services available for all guests; enjoy brown cookies and tea service in every room. In the ages of Tokugawa Iemitsu, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, Kenjyouyu, presentation of the hot spring water to General was often performed. Nowadays there are many museums and sightseeing spots around here. Since it is such a good place to see how the nature changes every season, many tourists, most of them are from metropolitan area of Tokyo, come and visit all year round.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Hotel Nanpuso
Popular for its spa and ladies esthetic salon, Nanpuso offers mainly Japanese style 'tatami' rooms.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Hotel Okada
With 117 rooms, and 5 natural spring sources, Hotel Okada offers Western, Fusion and Japanese-style 'tatami' rooms.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget rooms from about ¥7000 per person; ryokan with meals from ¥10,000.
Activity
Onsen entry fees range from ¥500 to ¥3500.
Food
Try the black eggs at Owakudani (5 for ¥500) and local soba noodles.
Transport
The Hakone Free Pass (¥6100 from Shinjuku, ¥5000 from Odawara for 2 days) covers all local transport and is the best value.