Hakone

Travel Guide
Hakone featuring a lake or waterhole and a sunset
Located around an hour outside of Tokyo, visitors flock to this town to relax in the natural hot springs and explore the mountains and lakes of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 

Hakone is a small town and park located in the Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan’s southern Kantō region. Nestled into lush mountains, Hakone is a fantastic base for exploring the dramatic landscape. Discover lakes, waterfalls, Shinto shrines and steaming hot springs amidst the dense forests in this region.

The volcanically active Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is Hakone’s top destination. The park consists of several natural attractions around Lake Ashinoko. Lake Ashi, as locals call it, is a crater lake with striking views of Mount Fuji. Explore the lake on a pleasure boat, designed in the style of a sailing warship.

Situated near to lakes, coastlines, hot springs and volcanic mountains, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is full of varied natural beauty. Visit the mythical looking Shiraito Falls or traverse the volcanic island of Izu Oshima.

Take the aerial tram at Hakone Ropeway up to the hot springs and sulphur vents at the Great Boiling Valley. Eating the local specialty of an egg hard-boiled in the hot springs which is said to increase longevity. 

Visit Hakone Shrine at the foot of Mount Hakone. This Shinto shrine is hidden in the forest and shrouded by the mountain’s mist. Don’t miss its massive torii gates. The large red entrance gate looms over the shore of Lake Ashinoko. 

For a unique cultural experience, stop by Hakone Open Air Museum. Seamlessly blending art with nature, this museum features over 1,000 pieces of art. Wander through the extensive Henry Moore sculpture garden or examine some 300 pieces created by Pablo Picasso. 

Tokyo is just 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) to the west of Hakone. Several train options will bring you to the town in about an hour. Most trains require a transfer at nearby Odwara, a pleasant hot springs town that is a destination of its own.

Where to stay in Hakone

Gora showing street scenes and signage

Gora

4.5/5(130 area reviews)

Gora is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Hakone Gora Park and Hakone Museum of Art while in the area.

Gora
Hakone Hot Springs showing street scenes as well as a family

Yumoto

4.5/5(28 area reviews)

While visiting Yumoto, you might make a stop by sights like Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Gyokuren Shrine.

Yumoto
Miyanoshita

Miyanoshita

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Gardens, restaurants, and hot springs highlight some of the notable features of Miyanoshita. Make a stop by Taikoyu while you're exploring.

Miyanoshita
If you visit Japan, you HAVE to have an onsen experience! I recommend hopping the train from Tokyo to Hakone to visit Hakone Yuryo. You can book a private onsen room like this one for a couple hours to enjoy all to yourself! Things to know:

-No clothing/swimwear is allowed in the onsen. Nude only! If you don’t book a private room, you will be sharing a gender-specific group one.

-Reservations at Hakone Yuryo open 30 days in advance. The website says to book by calling. I emailed and was able to complete my reservation through email.

-If you are walking from the Tonosawa train station, you will come to a fork in the path. Stay uphill! I made the mistake of going alllll the way down the hill with my luggage just to climb back up again. Directions are not extremely clear.

-When I visited, there was no English on the outside of the building. So don’t be looking for “Hakone Yuryo.”

-Heads up: tattoos are not allowed in the onsen. Japan has a very conservative attitude toward tattoos

Tounosawa

5/5(7 area reviews)

When in Tounosawa, you can plan a visit to Tenzan Onsen and Gyokuren Shrine, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Tounosawa
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Ashinoyu

Restaurants and golf courses are just a few things travelers like about Ashinoyu. A stop by Hakone Yunohana Golf Course is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Ashinoyu
Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, an IHG Hotel
Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, an IHG Hotel
4.5 out of 5
924-1 Kiga, Hakone-machi Ashigarashimo gun, Hakone, Kanagawa
The price is ¥46,661 per night from Apr 18 to Apr 19
¥46,661
per night
Apr 18 - Apr 19
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hakone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (395 reviews)
"Extremely clean and welcoming place! Service is top notch. One small thing to note that it is almost impossible to walk here from Gora. Although Google shows a potentially flat path, it is down a very steep and long winding steps that was very dangerous. Do yourself a favor and please wait for the ..."

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2024

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, an IHG Hotel
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
4.5 out of 5
1297 Ninotaira, Hakone, Kanagawa
The price is ¥60,000 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
¥60,000
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury ryokan in Hakone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"Beautiful Ryokan with private and public onsen with views and garden landscape- along with wonderful breakfast option. We loved our stay."

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
3.5 out of 5
160 Motohakone Togendai, Ashigarashimo-gun, Hakone, Kanagawa-ken
The price is ¥57,000 per night from Apr 11 to Apr 12
¥57,000
per night
Apr 11 - Apr 12
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Hakone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Great resort!!"

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2024

Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villa Hakone Stage
Villa Hakone Stage
3 out of 5
Motohakone 160-34, Ashigarashimo, Hakone, Kanagawa
Stay at this 3-star condo in Hakone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a shower/tub combo. Popular attractions Gotemba Premium Outlets and Lake Ashi are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (85 reviews)
"安靜且很乾淨 很適合大家庭來住,離港口桃源台也很近"

Reviewed on Feb 3, 2024

Villa Hakone Stage
RakutenSTAY FUJIMITERRACE HakoneAshinoko
RakutenSTAY FUJIMITERRACE HakoneAshinoko
4.5 out of 5
Mitsutani 2-2, Hakone, Kanagawa
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Hakone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a furnished balcony. Popular attractions Lake Ashi and Hakone Kowakien ...
7/10 Good! (2 reviews)
"This unit had a great view and was very clean. We had problems when checking in since this hotel was a "no-staff" facility. We got there a few hours early, and there was no one who could keep our luggage until check-in time. When we called the hotel, they just repeated there was no way for them to ..."

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2024

RakutenSTAY FUJIMITERRACE HakoneAshinoko
Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Sengokuhara
Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Sengokuhara
3.5 out of 5
1246-748 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Kanagawa
Stay at this 3.5-star vacation home in Hakone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private spa tubs. Popular attractions Gotemba Premium Outlets and Hakone Kowakien ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (91 reviews)
"pre-self check in was a bit confusing and there are different houses with different amenities and sizes of backyard which wasn't clear on the booking"

Reviewed on Sep 9, 2023

Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Sengokuhara
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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