Spilling inland from the coast southwest of Tokyo, Hakone serves up unreal surroundings on all sides. The vermilion torii gate of the Hakone-jinja shrine appears to levitate out of Ashi-no-ko, a scenic lake born of a volcano. Within the volcanic Ōwakudani valley, sulfurous steam gushes into the air as you float over its primordial surroundings in a cable automobile. 

Historical past is written massive on the panorama, too. Really feel time bend as you stroll within the footsteps of historic samurai warriors who wore down the traditional pebble pathways of the Tōkaidō highway, then sink into an out of doors onsen (Japanese tub) in Hakone-Yumoto, participating in centuries-old ceremonies reminiscent of the heyday of dynastic Japan. 

Life within the Hakone area has lengthy been immortalized in ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), and also you’ll nonetheless see artwork all over the place right here at the moment, in museums filled with Japanese and worldwide artwork treasures, dotted across the forests of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 

For guests on a brief journey, Hakone is conveniently near Tokyo, with connections by practice taking as little as 1½ hours. Most individuals prioritize journeys to the volcanic vents of Ōwakudani and the purple Hakone-jinja gateway on the shores of Ashi-no-ko. If this describes your journey plans, base your journey across the Hakone Ropeway, which runs from the summit of Sōun-zan to Tōgendai, by way of Ōwakudani.

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No matter attracts you to this intriguing nook of Japan, listed here are one of the best issues to do in Hakone. 

1. Unwind within the sizzling springs of Hakone-Yumoto 

The Hakone area is dwelling to scattered villages and small cities corresponding to Hakone-Yumoto, an onsen resort that dates again to the eighth century. Bathing at a spa complicated corresponding to Tenzan Tōji-kyō is imbued with status, and a soak within the rotemburo (outside onsen) will remind you that you’re taking part in a practice as previous as the traditional bushes round you. 

Equally luxurious Hakone Yuryo offers a memorable rotemburo expertise deeper within the forest, with the choice of a meal package deal so that you by no means have to depart this idyllic setting. Nonetheless, at these extra conventional spas, bathing is single intercourse and nude, and there are restrictions on bathers with tattoos.

Should you’re touring with kids, family-friendly Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun has blended bathing, so that you’ll want a washing swimsuit. It resembles a water theme park greater than a standard onsen, with water slides, synthetic waterfalls and a themed pool the place purple “wine” pours from an enormous wine bottle! Come for laughter, not tranquillity.

Planning tip: Shuttle buses run to main spas from Hakone-Yumoto Station, on the Hakone Tozan Railway line, linking Odawara to Gōra. 

2. Respect Japanese artwork, beginning on the Hakone Open-Air Museum 

Hakone is a spot the place nature is a key a part of the artist’s canvas. At Hakone Open-Air Museum close to Gōra, you may wander throughout a verdant hillside dotted with towering sculptures and installations by Henry Moore, Rodin, Miró and different massive names. 

If it’s raining, head contained in the Picasso Pavilion, dwelling to over 300 works by the legendary Spanish artist. Make sure you ascend Gabriel Loire’s Symphonic Sculpture, a spiral staircase encased in vibrant stained glass that provides breathtaking views of the park and the encompassing mountains.

Subsequent, take a brief stroll to the Okada Museum of Art, displaying Japanese, Chinese language and Korean artwork collected by industrialist Okada Kazuo. Close by, within the village of Gōra, you may pop into the Hakone Museum of Art and participate in a matcha tea ceremony, or browse the images within the Hakone Museum of Photography. 

Take a bus to succeed in the Pola Museum of Art, an architectural marvel of sentimental turquoise glass that shows works by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse alongside Japanese artists; it’s a number of kilometers northeast of Gōra. 

Your final cease must be both the Narukawa Art Museum on the southeast finish of Ashi-no-ko, or the Enoura Observatory, a fantastical complicated on the coast overlooking Sagami Bay combining seascape vistas, historic stones, fossils and trendy structure that riffs on conventional Japanese themes.

3. Take in volcanic views from the Hakone Ropeway 

To get one of the best aerial views of the volcanic caldera lake of Ashi-no-ko, the fuming Ōwakudani valley and Mt Fuji (climate allowing), take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car from Gōra to the highest of Sōun-zan mountain, then hop on the Hakone Ropeway for gorgeous vistas over Hakone’s surreal volcanic landscapes. 

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Connecting Sōun-zan Station with Tōgendai Station on the shores of Ashi-no-ko, the ropeway experience takes about half-hour. At Tōgendai, you may board a galleon-shaped sightseeing boat at Moto-Hakone pier to succeed in the lake’s greatest viewing factors.

In your solution to the lake, you’ll soar above Ōwakudani, Hakone’s “Nice Boiling Valley” – created 3000 years in the past when the Kami-yama volcano erupted and collapsed. The eruption additionally fashioned the lake of Ashi-no-ko, one among Hakone’s most iconic sights.

This gorgeous cobalt-blue crater lake presents breathtaking views of Mount Fuji from its shores, particularly on nonetheless days, when the mountain is mirrored completely within the calm waters. Winter mornings present the clearest views. 

For the proper Hakone picture, seize the purple torii gate of the Hakone-jinja shrine, which might be considered from land, or from the water on a ship tour. You possibly can attain the shrine on foot from Moto-Hakone, strolling across the fringe of the lake.

Planning tip: The volcanically heated waters of the Hakone space are used to boil kuro tamago – actually “black eggs.” The sulphur reacts with the eggshells, turning them black and giving them a particular taste. Some say consuming kuro tamago can lengthen your life by seven years. The black eggs are on sale at vacationer shops in the event you want to lengthen your expiration date.

4. Take pleasure in wagyu and conventional Japanese treats at Hakone’s greatest eating places 

Should you’re on the lookout for next-level Japanese-style hamburger steaks or premium wagyū beef cooked proper in entrance of you, seize a chunk at Kinosuke in Hakone-Yumoto. One other nice choice on this onsen city is 808 Monsmare, serving genuine wood-fired pizzas with mozzarella, contemporary basil and glorious passata; their matcha gelato is a must-try.

For a lakeside meal close to the Tōgendai Ropeway station, strive Kotei for seafood curry (or spicy spinach and mushroom for vegetarians) on a terrace with lake views. At Amimoto Ooba, you may strive crispy tempura wakasagi (whitebait-like fish), caught in Ashi-no-ko and served with matcha salt. 

In order for you one thing extra conventional, strive the gentle katsu curry (pork cutlet with a spicy sauce) or omurice (omelet and fried rice) on the Tōgendai View Restaurant, with elevated views of the lake and its “pirate ship” sightseeing boats. 

5. Observe within the footsteps of shogun and samurai warriors on the Edo Street

To relive the glory days of Hakone, hint the footsteps of the shogun and samurai who journeyed alongside the Tōkaidō – one of many historic 5 Routes of Edo-period Japan. Its clean cobbles have been polished by centuries of foot visitors (automobiles with wheels had been forbidden by decree). 

One of the simplest ways to benefit from the serene forest surroundings is on the 4km (2.5-mile) hike from Moto-Hakone to Hatajuku, a quaint village that preserves a touch of the feudal period. Take a bus to Hakone-jinja-iriguchi, one cease earlier than Moto-Hakone, then stroll up a brief highway to the picket signal marking the path entrance. From right here, the hike is generally downhill and straightforward to observe, with indicators in English. 

On the halfway level, you’ll discover a teahouse, Amazake-chaya, the place you may take a break and sip amazake (candy rice wine) or inexperienced tea. On the hike’s finish level, it’s price exploring the retailers promoting conventional woodwork, corresponding to Hatajuku Yosegi Kaikan. To return to Hakone-Yumoto, hop on a bus from Hatajuku.

Planning tip: For an additional simple however rewarding stroll within the space, take a stroll round Ashi-no-ko. The Western Financial institution Trek presents good views of Hakone-jinja, whereas the Jap Financial institution Trek takes in gorgeous Mt Fuji views from Onshi Hakone Kōen.

6. Savor espresso or cocktails with a scenic view 

Early begins are rewarded in Hakone. Begin a morning in Gōra with a pick-me-up at Coffee Camp, the place English-speaking baristas brew single-origin espresso and affogato in a hip, polished-concrete house. 

After a day of forest and museum exploring, pause for afternoon tea, apple pie and French toast when you soak up gorgeous Ashi-no-ko views from the terrace at Salon de thé Rosage, near Hakone-jinja. Wrap up your night on the Indigo Lodge’s Riverside Kitchen & Bar over whisky, gin and cocktails beside the Haya River.

Planning tip: It’s thought of impolite in Japan to drink or eat whereas strolling or on public transport, and this additionally applies to takeaway espresso. Do as locals do and settle in to take pleasure in your breakfast cup earlier than you set off to discover. 

7. Profit from the Hakone Free Cross

Should you’re on the lookout for a budget-friendly solution to discover the Hakone area, the Hakone Free Pass is a implausible alternative. This in style journey move provides you limitless entry to all of the Odakyu-affiliated buses, trains, boats, cable automobiles and ropeways within the Hakone space, plus reductions on choose vacationer sights over two or three consecutive days.

Cross-holders get round-trip journey on the Odakyu Line from Tokyo, in addition to limitless use of eight completely different modes of transportation, together with the scenic, mountain-climbing Hakone Tozan Railway, the Hakone Tozan Cable Automobile, and the Hakone Ropeway. 

The move additionally contains sightseeing cruises on Ashi-no-ko lake, plus free journey on the Kanko Shisetsu-Meguri Bus that connects in style spots to go to within the area.

Planning tip: Should you’re planning sightseeing across the Hakone Cross, the package deal contains discounted entry to sights such because the Hakone Yuryo and Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun onsens, Hakone Gōra Park and the Hakone Open-Air Museum.

8. Keep in a Hakone spa resort

Being an onsen city, Hakone-Yuomoto has loads of lodging choices that embody an on-site spa. Fukuzumirō is a standard ryokan inn from 1890, serving seasonal meals you can take pleasure in in your room and shared stone and pine onsen baths. 

Should you want a gender-separated onsen expertise, guide a keep at Yoshiike Ryokan, a seven-minute stroll from Hakone-Yumoto Station, which presents spacious rooms with single-sex outside onsen baths amid lush Japanese gardens. 

For a reasonable, old-style Japanese expertise, K’s House Hakone presents futon dorms, capsules, bunks and neat tatami-style doubles, plus each indoor and outside onsen swimming pools. For a luxe keep, head to Hoshino Resorts Kai Hakone, a minimalist resort providing partly outside infinity-style onsen swimming pools, English-speaking employees and distinctive kaiseki (multi-course Japanese meals).

This text was tailored from Lonely Planet’s Japan guidebook, revealed in March 2024.