Kanagawa · Japan

Hakone

The hot-spring resort in the Kanagawa mountains, with Lake Ashi and its boats, the volcanic valley of Owakudani, art museums in the forest and, on clear days, Mount Fuji on the horizon.

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In the photo: Hakone Tozan Line train.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Hakone is a mountain town in western Kanagawa, inside Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, about 90 km from Tokyo. It sits in the large caldera of an ancient volcano, with Lake Ashi at the bottom and Mount Kami, still active, in the center. Since the Edo period the hot springs have drawn travelers, and Hakone remains one of the most popular onsen resorts for people coming from the capital.

The town spreads across valleys and slopes, with several neighborhoods. Hakone-Yumoto, at the entrance, is the oldest onsen village, with bathhouses and shopping streets by the station. Higher up are Miyanoshita, Gora and Sengokuhara, with hotels, museums and gardens; above them is the volcanic valley of Owakudani; and on the southern shore of Lake Ashi are Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi, with the shrine and the old Tokaido checkpoint.

The classic route is a circuit using different transport modes: the mountain train that climbs in switchbacks from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora, the funicular to Sounzan, the ropeway over Owakudani to the lake, and the boats that cross Lake Ashi. Buses close the loop back to Yumoto.

Hakone has first-rate art museums, such as the Open-Air Museum, with sculptures in a park, and the Pola Museum of Art, set in a forest. On clear days, Mount Fuji appears behind the lake and the mountains, but the view depends on the weather. Owakudani’s volcanic activity is monitored, and access to the valley can be restricted according to alert levels.

This destination brings together 1 city: Hakone.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Hakone is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Hakone

✈ Aeroporto Internacional de Tóquio (Haneda) (HND), in Ota · 80 km to Hakone

From Shinjuku, Odakyu’s Romancecar limited express reaches Hakone-Yumoto in about 1 hour 30 minutes. On the Tokaido shinkansen, get off at Odawara, about 35 minutes from Tokyo, and continue by train or bus to Hakone-Yumoto. There are also highway buses from Shinjuku to Lake Ashi.

Kanagawa · Hakone

Hakone

Hakone is the hot-spring resort of the western Kanagawa mountains, in a volcanic caldera with Lake Ashi at the bottom. At the valley entrance, Hakone-Yumoto concentrates the bathhouses; above on the slopes are the museums of Gora and Sengokuhara, the fumaroles of Owakudani and, on the lake’s southern shore, the shrine’s red gate and the barrier of the old Edo road. Mountain train, funicular, ropeway and boats form a circuit.

The local experience

Things to do in Hakone

Hakone · Kanagawa · Lake

Lake Ashi

The caldera lake of Hakone, crossed by sightseeing boats between Togendai and Moto-Hakone, with the shrine torii standing in the water and, on clear days, Mount Fuji in the background.

Hakone · Kanagawa · Shrine

Hakone Shrine

A Shinto shrine in a cedar forest on the shore of Lake Ashi, with the Peace Torii in the water, revered by samurai since the Middle Ages.

Hakone · Kanagawa · Natural attraction

Owakudani

The volcanic valley of Hakone, with fumaroles, sulfur and the black eggs boiled in the hot spring waters, next to the ropeway station; access depends on the volcanic alert level.

Hakone · Kanagawa · Museum

Hakone Open-Air Museum

A sculpture museum in a hillside lawn park, with works by Rodin, Henry Moore, and Niki de Saint Phalle, a pavilion dedicated to Picasso, and a hot‑spring footbath.

See 2 more places in Hakone

Hakone · Kanagawa · Historic site

Hakone Checkpoint

The reconstructed checkpoint of the old Tokaido road on the shore of Lake Ashi, with a museum, and the cedar avenue of the old route.

Hakone · Kanagawa · Museum

Pola Museum of Art

An art museum in the Sengokuhara forest, with Impressionist and modern paintings, Japanese art, glass, and a woodland trail.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Autumn, with red leaves generally from late October to November, and winter, with dry air and better chances to see Mount Fuji. Hydrangeas along the mountain railway usually bloom from mid-June to July. Summer is humid and cooler than Tokyo. Holidays and weekends get crowded.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day is enough for the train–funicular–ropeway–boat circuit with a stop at one museum. One night, in a ryokan with onsen, is the most common way to visit. With two nights, there’s time for the museums, the shrine, the old road and the hot springs.

Which city to stay in

Hakone-Yumoto is the most practical base, next to the station, with bathhouses and restaurants. Miyanoshita and Gora sit mid-circuit, close to the museums. Sengokuhara is quieter, with grass fields and isolated hotels. The Lake Ashi shore at Moto-Hakone has lake views and the shrine.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Hakone

How many days should you stay in Hakone?

One day for the classic circuit; one night in a ryokan with onsen is the most common. With two nights you can include the museums, the shrine and the old road without rushing.

How do you get from Tokyo to Hakone?

By Romancecar from Odakyu, from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto in about 1 hour 30 minutes, or by shinkansen to Odawara and from there by train or bus. There are also buses from Shinjuku to Lake Ashi.

Can you see Mount Fuji from Hakone?

On clear days, yes — from Lake Ashi, from Owakudani and from some viewpoints. Chances are higher in winter and early morning. With clouds, the mountain disappears.

Do you need a car in Hakone?

No. The mountain train, funicular, ropeway, boats and buses connect the main spots. There are combination passes for these transports.

Can you use Hakone’s onsen with a tattoo?

Many bathhouses and ryokan do not accept visible tattoos in common areas. Some accept small tattoos if covered with a sticker, and several accommodations have private baths. Check the policy of each place before you go.

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Beyond the guide

Hakone

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.