Chill in Hakone, a Stone’s Throw from Tokyo

Hakone, located in the Kanagawa Prefecture, is a picturesque region renowned for its hot springs, scenic beauty, and cultural attractions. Nestled in the mountainous area west of Tokyo, Hakone offers stunning views of Mount Fuji, serene lakes, and lush greenery. It is a popular destination for both relaxation and adventure, featuring a variety of hot spring resorts, traditional ryokan inns, and historical sites. Visitors can enjoy activities such as boating on Lake Ashi, exploring the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and riding the Hakone Ropeway for panoramic vistas. With its blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Hakone provides a perfect retreat from the bustling city life.

Navigating Hakone

Hakone Yumoto - Tonosawa

The Hakone-Yumoto/Tonosawa area is the gateway to Hakone, accessible via the Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku in about 85 minutes. It hosts Hakone-Yumoto Station, where various transportation facilities converge. The bustling Hakone-Yumoto shopping district offers onsen manju (hot spring buns) and other local treats. Notable spots include "Fukkyuya Kutouryu Mochi" with its footbath, "Yumoto Watchman" near the Hydrangea Bridge, and the historical Sounji Temple.

The area also features the Yumoto Fujiya Hotel Lounge Wisteria, Forest Adventure outdoor park, and Amida Temple, renowned for its hydrangeas. Tonosawa Station is notable for the Fukazawa Zenarai Benzaiten, a shrine believed to bring financial luck. The Hakone Tozan Railway, famous for its switchbacks, provides scenic mountain views. Visitors can relax at Gallery Cafe Utrillo, an art gallery and coffee shop near Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Miyanoshita - Kowakudani

The Miyanoshita/Kowakudani area, located halfway up Mt. Hakone at 430 meters elevation, is one of Hakone's seven hot springs. Centered around the historic Fujiya Hotel, this area is known for its exotic and nostalgic atmosphere. Visitors can hike in the valley along the Snake Bone River and Hayakawa River, enjoying cherry blossoms, fireflies, and autumn leaves.

The Miyanoshita and Kowakudani areas blend historical charm with natural beauty, making them popular destinations for both domestic and international visitors.

Key points of interest:

  1. Fujiya Hotel: A 10-minute walk from Miyanoshita Station, this historic hotel, established in 1878, is surrounded by notable stores like Watanabe Bakery and Shima Photo Studio. Nearby, Kumano Shrine stands guard over the hot springs.

  2. Hebkotsu River and Dogashima Canyon Trail: This 1.5-km trail along the Hayakawa River offers a serene hiking experience. Known as "Chamberlain's Walk," it features a suspension bridge and steep slopes, making for a scenic yet challenging hike.

  3. Taiko-ishi Bath: A historical site linked to Hideyoshi Toyotomi's 1590 campaign, where hot spring water once flowed. Visitors can view the canyon and Taiko-no-Taki waterfall from the sidewalk.

  4. Hakone Kowakuen Unessan: A theme park with various hot spring baths, including wine and coffee baths, and the traditional Morinoyu area with indoor and garden open-air baths. The Soba Kihin Kan restaurant and Taisho-romantic garden are also located here.

  5. Okada Museum of Art: This museum houses a vast collection of East Asian art and features a footbath café. The adjacent Kaikatei offers dining in a historic Japanese house with a garden and pond.

  6. Chisuji Waterfall: A 15-minute walk from the Okada Museum, this compact yet picturesque waterfall is ideal for a relaxing forest bath.

  7. Fujiya Hotel Lounge: After hiking, visitors can enjoy afternoon tea in this historic hotel, which reopened in 2020 after renovations. The lounge offers a classical atmosphere and views of the garden.

Gora

Gora, located in the center of Hakone, is a significant hot spring resort and transportation hub, connecting Sengokuhara to the north, Hakone-Yumoto to the east, and Lake Ashinoko to the west and south. The area's development began with the opening of the Hakone Tozan Railway in 1919. Renowned for its vacation homes for prominent figures and its vibrant streets filled with restaurants and souvenir shops, Gora is also home to several notable attractions.

Gora is also known for its variety of inns, from resort hotels to traditional Japanese-style accommodations, providing a high-quality experience for visitors.

Key attractions:

  1. Hakone Gora Park: Opened in 1914, this French-style landscaped garden, a 10-minute walk from Gora Station, features a fountain pond, tropical plant museum, tea ceremony room, and workshops. It's known for its seasonal flowers and pet-friendly policies.

  2. Cherry Blossom Trees along the Hayakawa River (Miyagino): A scenic spot in Miyagino, about a 30-minute walk from Gora Park, famous for its cherry blossoms and the Hakone Miyagino International Trout Fishing Ground.

  3. cu-mo Hakone: Located at Sounzan Station, this area offers a shop, observation terrace, and a free footbath. The terrace provides panoramic views of Hakone's outer rim.

  4. Owakudani: Accessible via cable car and ropeway, Owakudani features sulfuric fumes and volcanic scenery. It's famous for "Kuro-tamago" (black eggs) and the Owakudani Station Restaurant, which offers unique dishes like Owakudani curry.

  5. Sculpture Forest Art Museum: Near Gora Station, this outdoor museum, opened in 1969, exhibits modern sculptures over 70,000 square meters. It includes a Picasso Pavilion, restaurants, a café, a hot spring footbath, and the "Symphony of Happiness Sculpture" tower.

Sengokuhara

Sengokuhara's highland resort setting provides a tranquil escape with accommodations ranging from mountainside lodgings to lakeside retreats around Lake Ashinoko, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature and art. It serves as a gateway to Gotemba and is the closest area to Mount Fuji.

Key attractions:

  1. Susuki Meadow: Located at the northern foot of Mount Daigatake, this scenic spot is famous for its silver grasses. The area is known for its annual mountain fire event in March to protect the natural system and offers stunning views of silver grass, particularly in autumn.

  2. Hakone Wetland Flower Garden: A 20-minute walk from Susuki Meadow, this garden features 200 species of wetland plants and 1,100 species of lowland and alpine plants. It blooms year-round, offering visitors a chance to see rare wildflowers.

  3. Hakone Lalique Art Museum: Located a 10-minute walk from the Hakone Wetland Flower Garden, this museum showcases the works of René Lalique, a master of jewelry and glass crafts. It houses Japan's largest collection of Lalique's works and includes a café/restaurant with an Orient Express salon car designed by Lalique.

  4. Choanji Temple: A Soto Zen temple located a short walk from the Lalique Museum. Established in 1658, it features a path lined with statues of Sakyamuni's disciples and is known for its seasonal beauty, especially in autumn.

  5. Hakone Glass Forest Museum: Specializing in Venetian glass, this museum offers a medieval Venice atmosphere with historic glass pieces and contemporary works. The museum also features a café/restaurant with a view of Owakudani Valley.

  6. Pola Museum of Art: Situated within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, this museum showcases a collection of about 10,000 items, including works by Monet and Renoir. It offers a scenic promenade and a museum store with unique art goods.

Lake Ashinoko

The Lake Ashinoko area in Hakone offers various nature and leisure activities, including sightseeing boats, water skiing, and boating. It is easily accessible by bus from Atami, Mishima, and Yugawara. This area is known for its stunning natural beauty and historical significance, with key attractions including the Hakone Sekisho (Edo period barrier station), Hakone Shrine, Hakone Motomiya, and Kutouryuu Shrine.

The Lake Ashinoko area is a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, providing visitors with a variety of experiences from historical tours to scenic cruises.

Key Attractions:

  1. Hakone Town Port and Hakone Ekiden Museum:

    • Buses from Hakone-Yumoto Station stop at Hakone-cho Port, where pirate boats operate to Moto-Hakone Port and Togendai Port.
    • The Hakone Ekiden Museum, located near the port, celebrates the history of the ekiden relay race.

  2. Hakone Sekisho:

    • A 5-minute walk from the Ekiden Museum, this historical site consists of seven buildings, including the "Dabansho" and "Omi-bansho," offering panoramic views of Lake Ashi.

  3. Hakone Imperial Gift Park (Onshi Hakone Koen):

    • Located near Hakone Sekisho, this park offers magnificent views of Lake Ashi and surrounding mountains from its lakeside observation deck.

  4. Moto-Hakone Area and La Terrazza Ashinoko:

    • Features attractions like the Narukawa Art Museum and Sainokawara.
    • The Italian restaurant La Terrazza Ashinoko offers a delightful dining experience with a view of the lake.

  5. Hakone Shrine:

    • Founded in 757, this shrine is a major site for mountain worship and a power spot. Key features include the "Yasunan Cedar" and the Kuzuryu Shrine Shingu, known for its matchmaking rituals.

  6. Hakone Komagatake Ropeway and Hakone Motomiya:

    • A 30-minute walk from Hakone Shrine leads to Hakoneen Station, where the ropeway ascends to the Hakone Motomiya shrine on Mt. Komagatake, offering breathtaking views of the region.

  7. Kutouryuu Shrine Main Shrine:

    • Located along Kamiyama-dori, this shrine is famous for its matchmaking deity. The area offers Segway tours and serene lakeside walks.
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Access Information

From Kamakura to Hakone:

  1. Train: Take the JR Yokosuka Line from Kamakura to Ofuna Station.
  2. Transfer: At Ofuna, transfer to the JR Tokaido Line heading towards Odawara.
  3. Hakone: At Odawara, switch to the Hakone Tozan Railway, which will take you directly into Hakone.

From Central Tokyo to Hakone:

  1. Train (Shinkansen): From Tokyo Station, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara Station.
  2. Hakone: At Odawara, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway for the journey into Hakone.

Alternatively:

  1. Train (Romancecar): From Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Limited Express "Romancecar" directly to Hakone-Yumoto Station.

From Mount Fuji to Hakone:

  1. Train: Take the Fujikyu Railway from Kawaguchiko Station to Otsuki Station.
  2. Transfer: At Otsuki, transfer to the JR Chuo Line heading to Hachioji or Shinjuku.
  3. Odawara: From Hachioji or Shinjuku, take the JR Tokaido Line to Odawara.
  4. Hakone: At Odawara, switch to the Hakone Tozan Railway to reach Hakone.

Alternatively:

  1. Bus: Take the direct bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Gotemba Station.
  2. Hakone: From Gotemba, you can take the Hakone Tozan Bus or a local bus to Hakone.

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