Hakone

箱根

Mountain resort town famous for hot springs, scenic mountain scenery, and views of Mount Fuji across its volcanic lake. Popular for relaxation, hiking, and open-air art museums, with excellent onsen (hot spring) experiences and mountain railway attractions.

Things to do

• Hakone Open-Air Museum — A world-class sculpture and art museum set in the mountains featuring both indoor galleries and outdoor installations across 70,000 square meters of parkland.
• Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise — Take a scenic boat tour across the caldera lake with views of Mount Fuji on clear days and surrounding volcanic mountains.
• Hakone Tozan Railway — Ride Japan's steepest mountain railway with multiple switchbacks through forests and hot spring valleys, offering panoramic views and stops at scenic stations.
• Hakone Shrine and Torii Gate — Visit this lakeside Shinto shrine famous for its iconic red torii gate standing in Lake Ashi, accessible by a scenic forest walking trail.
• Owakudani Valley — Explore this volcanic valley with sulfurous hot springs, walking trails, and natural steam vents where you can witness geothermal activity up close.
• Onsen Hot Spring Bath Experience — Soak in natural hot spring baths at ryokan inns or public bathhouses fed by Hakone's abundant geothermal waters, many with outdoor options.
• Hakone Loop Hiking Trail — Trek the scenic mountain route connecting Lake Ashi, Owakudani, and surrounding peaks with diverse trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty.

Food to try

• Hakone Ekiben — A traditional railway station bento box featuring local ingredients like grilled fish, vegetables, and local specialties available at Hakone-Yumoto Station.
• Black Eggs (Kuro Tamago) — Eggs boiled in the sulfurous hot springs of Owakudani, turned black by hydrogen sulfide, considered a local delicacy with a nutty flavor.
• Hakone Tofu — Silky soft tofu made from mountain spring water, often served as part of kaiseki dinners at ryokan or in simple local restaurants.
• Yama no Imo (Mountain Potato) — Locally-grown Japanese mountain yam served grated with nori and soy sauce or integrated into tempura and other dishes.
• Trout (Iwana) from Mountain Streams — Freshwater trout caught from Hakone's pristine streams, grilled whole or prepared as sashimi in local restaurants.
• Ryokan Kaiseki Dinner — Multi-course traditional Japanese haute cuisine featuring seasonal local ingredients and signature dishes unique to each ryokan establishment.

Local customs & good to know

• Onsen Etiquette is Essential — Always wash thoroughly before entering any communal hot spring bath, remove all jewelry, and follow gender-separated bathing areas unless explicitly co-ed.
• Book Ryokan Accommodation in Advance — High-quality traditional inn experiences fill quickly, especially on weekends and during peak seasons, so reservations weeks ahead are strongly recommended.
• Plan Around Weather and Mount Fuji Views — Clear mornings offer the best Mount Fuji visibility; afternoon clouds are common, so time your Lake Ashi boat cruise or hiking accordingly for optimal sightseeing.
• Transportation Pass Saves Money — Purchase the Hakone Free Pass to bundle unlimited travel on trains, buses, cable cars, and the ropeway, offering significant savings for multi-day visits.