Top Things to Do in Hakone | Your Quick Guide

Hakone is one of the most popular regions to visit in Japan. Its location not far from Tokyo makes it the perfect spot to stop and relax after time spent in the busy capital. The region combines great transport links, varied landscapes, relaxing hot springs, museums – and if you’re lucky – some of the best Mount Fuji views.

However a visit to Hakone can be quite confusing to plan on a first visit. Because of this, having an idea of what you might want to do is important. I hope that my guide will help you plan your trip to Hakone and give you an ideas of the main things to do, how they fit together, and what kind of experience you can expect from your visit.

Understanding Hakone as a Destination

Hakone is located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is best know as a hot spring (onsen) resort area. In the past it was an important stop on the historic Tōkaidō route between Tokyo and Kyoto. The beauty of Hakone is how much it offers visitors and how easy it is to reach from Tokyo.

Rather than thinking of Hakone as one main attraction, it is best to consider a visit as part of a loop. The best way to experience Hakone is to follow the so-called Hakone Loop. This is a circular route around the main sights using a variety of transport types. You can expect to ride a train, cable car, ropeway, boat and bus. This route allows you to see the top sights in the area in a limited amount of time.

Getting to Hakone

If you have read my other Japan blogs, you’ll know that I’m a big advocate for the Hakone Free Pass. This pass includes all of your travel to and from Hakone from Tokyo, along with the all of the ropeways and trains you’ll take in the area. It costs ¥7500 (or around £33) which is actually a bit of a steal, especially when considering that the ropeways and cablecar together cost around this much.

Things to do in Hakone

Take the Hakone Round Course

The Hakone Loop (or Hakone Round Course) is the best way to experience the region. Even if you don’t complete the full loop, understanding the main stops along the way helps you to plan your own trip efficiently.

Assuming you arrive into Hakone-Yumoto station, the route usually looks like this:

• Mountain railway to Hakone-Gora – this is an experience in its own and is often considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in Japan. As the train leaves Yumoto station, it passes through a narrow valley of lush forests and bridges. It is known as the Hydrangea Train. This is because during the summer months hydrangeas bloom along the tracks.
• Cable car to Sounzan – the journey takes 10 minutes and connects Gora to Sounzan on the ropeway 208 meters above. There are some great views from the cable car as you travel up to Sounzan.
• Ropeway over Owakudani – another unique experience as you get close-up view of Hakone’s volcanic landscape as well as panoramic view across the mountainous landscape. On a clear day you may catch your first glimpse of Mount Fuji.
• Boat across Lake Ashi – a peaceful trip over the forest lined Lake Ashi
• Bus or train back toward Hakone-Yumoto

If you plan to complete the full loop, your best bet is to invest in the Hakone Freepass. The cost slightly varies depending on where you start the loop (for example Shinjuku or Odawara station) but it is generally much better value than paying for each of the sections independently and it includes discounts to many of Hakone’s attractions too.

Visit Hakone-Yumoto: The Gateway Town

Chances are that you’ll arrive in Hakone by train at Hakone-Yumoto station. The small town that surrounds the station is by no means the place to see in the region, but it does offer a lot to visitors. Many people choose to find accommodation here which definitely saves the onwards journey with luggage. Many of the buses can be very busy so it’s not particularly easy to travel around with your suitcases. Whether you are looking for a western-style hotel or a more traditional ryokan, you’ll find plenty of choice in Yumoto.

Hakone-Yumoto also has a number of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. Plus you’ll find a number of onsens to visit if this is the main reason for your visit.

Ride the Hakone Tozan Railway

Whether you are planning to do the Hakone loop or not, I would highly recommend taking a trip on the Hakone Tozan railway line. The train, known for its steep gradients and switchbacks, climbs up into the mountains from Yumoto towards Gora. It provides some gorgeous views of the surroundings as you go.

In the spring, the line passes through stretches of cherry blossom, while summer brings hydrangeas in full bloom along the tracks. In autumn, the surrounding forests shift to deep reds and gold, making the short journey especially scenic.

Explore Gora: A Useful Stop, Not a Highlight

Hakone Gora is often described as a resort town but don’t expect to find many major attractions here. That said, it does make a practical stop. It is also a slightly quieter alternative to Hakone-Yumoto in terms of accommodation, and there are still a few worthwhile things to do here.

One of the main things to do is to visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which I’ll talk about in more detail in my next point. The town is also known for its onsen and many ryokan. In fact, many of the hotels here have their own hot spring baths (this was such a treat after a long day of sightseeing).

Hakone Open-Air Museum

If you’re into art, or nature (or both), I would highly recommend including a visit to Hakone’s Open-Air Museum in your trip. The museum is one of the area’s most popular attractions and it’s not hard to see why. The museum is set in a large outdoor space surrounding by mountains and lush forests. It combines sculptures, landscape, and architecture in a way that feels accessible even to casual visitors.

You’ll also find indoor galleries, including a Picasso Pavilion, interactive installations, and after a long day of exploring, you can enjoy a hot spring foot bath. I’d set aside 1-3 hours for a visit, depending on interest.

Owakudani: Volcanic Landscape and Ropeway Views

One of the most unique experiences of our trip to Japan had to be our visit to Owakudani. This area was formed during a volcanic eruption and is one of Japan’s active geo-thermal spots.

As we travelled up from Gora the landscape around us completely changed. It went from a lush forest area to a place where trees were sparse and many were dead. In the distance, we could also see steam rising from the volcanic crevices and the smell of sulphur was rather strong! Despite this smell of eggs though, it was one of the most unique things we saw in Japan.

The observation centre has a little gift shop to explore and it is where you can try the famous black eggs, said to add 7 years to your life! You also have glass walkways out into the valley which give you another perspective of the landscape.

To get here, you can either catch the bus or take the Hakone ropeway. I would personally opt for the latter; it is a really unique experience and you get a much better view of the changing landscape.

Top tip: The cablecar and ropeway tickets are rather pricey, so make sure that you buy the Free Pass as mentioned above. Otherwise you’ll be paying a lot extra when considering your train fare to and from Tokyo.

Lake Ashi: Views, Boats, and Walking Paths

From Owakudani, the ropeway route continues down towards Lake Ashi, specifically Togendai, the departure point for the boat crossing. This is a crater lake which was formed by volcanic activity. The atmosphere here is noticeably calmer and more serene compared to the exposed terrain above.

The lake is surrounded by forested hills and mountains and you can even spot Mount Fuji sometimes in the distance (though it is famously hard to spot!). Togendai is a small place to explore and, to be honest, there isn’t lots to see here. However, I can highly recommend a boat crossing and I think it is probably one of the best ways to experience Hakone.

If you haven’t taken the ropeway though, don’t worry. From Gora you can catch a bus or train to Moto-Hakone and simply jump on to the boat. Should boats not be your thing, there are actually a fair few walking trails around the lake which you can explore. The best time to do this is of course the spring, where you can see cherry blossom trees adorn the banks of the lake.

Hakone Shrine and the Torii Gate

Moto-Hakone sits on the southern shore of Lake Ashi and is home to the Hokone Shrine, which is arguably the most visited location in Hakone. It is easily one of the most important cultural sites in the region and is only accessible down a wooded path. Once you arrive, you’ll see those iconic vermillion torii gates in the water and a great view across the lake.

However, like all good things in Japan, expect to queue… And for a while! In peak seasons such as the spring and autumn, lines form here incredibly early, all to get that one-time photograph. My advice to you is to come here as early as possible, maybe even starting here if you are planning the round course.

Walk Part of the Old Tōkaidō Road

Hakone once played an incredibly important role on the historic Tōkaidō Road, which once connected Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. Whilst no longer used, certain sections of the old stone-paved road still exist and can even be walked on today.

The pathways pass from Moto-Hakone through to the Hatajuku area. You can see the Hakone checkpoint (a reconstruction of the security gates which travellers had to pass through) and Cedar Avenue. The walking path is well marked and is usually not too busy; most of the tourists will be doing the stuff outlined above.

Visit an Onsen or Stay at a Ryokan

I personally don’t think that you can say you have been to Hakone unless you have sat in an onsen. The region is famous for their hot springs and they are a big part of its identity and culture. You of course have the more up-market ryokan stays to experience this, but there are also day-to-day bathhouses for you to enjoy. If you are using a public onsen, make sure that you know the etiquette of an onsen:

• Bathing is usually done nude, though some places allow swimming costumes.
• Tattoos may not be permitted everywhere.
• Bathing areas are separated by gender unless otherwise specified.

Ryokans are also an integral part of the culture here. If you are able to, book one of these as part of your 2 nights in Hakone. Whilst they are usually fully-booked in advance and more expensive than the local hotels, I genuinely think that they are worth it.

Museums Beyond the Open-Air Museum

Whilst the Open-Air Museum is the main museum attraction in Hakone, the region has other, smaller (albeit niche) museums which are ideal for rainy days.

Some of my favourite options include the Pola and Okada Museums of Art. Both of these have their own different exhibits and are ideal for anyone staying nearby. Alternatively, if you are a fan of European culture, try the Venetian Glass Museum. Whilst not exactly what you’d expect here, it has an impressive collection of this beautiful glass.

Final Thoughts | Top Things to Do in Hakone

Hakone is one of those places which has to be visited to be understood. This famous onsen region is perfect for people who just want to relax, but also for those who want to be more active and explore. This list only included the top things to do in Hakone, and I’ll be adding to it in the near future. However, I can safely say that it is an unforgettable experience, one which is a far-cry from the busy streets of Tokyo.

I hope that you found this quick guide useful. If you have any questions, please let me know. I always love hearing from you.