Hakone
箱根町
Things to Do in and Around Hakone
Hakone is a hot spring area located about 90 km from Tokyo, and it is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji and a variety of hot springs. The landscape is imbued with the scent of sulfur due to volcanic activity in Owakudani, and there are attractions such as pleasure boats on Lake Ashi and a mountain railway. The hot springs range from day-use baths to luxury inns, and with good access from Tokyo, it is well-regarded as a domestic travel destination that can be visited casually.
Where is Hakone?
Hakone is a hot spring area located in the southwestern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, approximately 100 km from central Tokyo and about 15 km from Odawara City. Administratively, it belongs to Hakone Town in Ashigarashimo District, bordered by Odawara City to the north, Atami City in Shizuoka Prefecture to the south, Yugawara Town to the east, and Susono City and Mishima City in Shizuoka Prefecture to the west.
Hakone forms part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is situated in a mountainous area centered around Mount Hakone (a volcano). The elevation varies from sea level to 1,438 meters at Mount Kami, offering a complex and varied landscape. Lake Ashi, located in the center of the Hakone Caldera formed by the outer rim of Mount Hakone, is a symbol of this region.
Getting Around
Access to Hakone is mainly convenient from the Tokyo area via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen or the Odakyu Line. It takes about 85 minutes from Shinjuku by the Odakyu Romancecar, about 35 minutes from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station by Shinkansen, and then about 40 minutes from Odawara Station to Gora Station by transferring to the Hakone Tozan Railway.
Within the Hakone area, you can use transportation such as the Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Tozan Bus, Hakone Ropeway, and Hakone Pirate Ship. If you are exploring around Hakone, it is recommended to use the "Hakone Freepass."
Major stations include Hakone-Yumoto Station, Gora Station, and Motohakone Port, which serve as bases for accessing various tourist spots.
You can also use a rental car, but since there are many narrow mountain roads, it is safer for those coming from outside the prefecture or overseas to use public transportation.
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About Hakone
Hakone Onsen
Hakone is known as one of Japan's premier hot spring areas. Historically, it has been home to the "Hakone Seven Hot Springs," which include Gora, Miyanoshita, Sokokura, Dogashima, Kiga, Ashinoyu, and Yumoto, each with different water qualities and benefits. Particularly, Hakone Yumoto Onsen boasts a history of over 1200 years since its opening and has been beloved by many literary figures. Today, it is a popular tourist destination visited by approximately 20 million people annually.
Scenic Views of Mount Fuji
Hakone is also famous for its scenic spots offering views of Mount Fuji. The view from Lake Ashi, in particular, has been cherished as one of the "Hakone Eight Views" since ancient times. From Owakudani and the Komagatake Ropeway, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Mount Fuji on clear days. This scenery continues to inspire many artists and photographers.
Rich Artistic Culture
Hakone is dotted with museums where nature and art blend, such as the "Hakone Open-Air Museum" and the "Pola Museum of Art." The Hakone Open-Air Museum, in particular, opened in 1969 as Japan's first outdoor museum displaying world-class sculptures in a vast outdoor space, attracting many art enthusiasts from both Japan and abroad.
Historical Tokaido Difficulties
During the Edo period, Hakone was known as "Hakone Hachiri," a particularly difficult section of the Tokaido, one of the Five Routes. It was a place that troubled travelers with its steep mountain paths and strict checkpoint inspections. Today, the "Hakone Checkpoint Ruins," which convey this history, have become a tourist attraction. The museum, which recreates the atmosphere of the time, allows visitors to learn about travel during the Edo period.
Development as a Summer Resort in the Meiji Era
In the Meiji era, Hakone developed as a summer resort for foreigners. Western-style hotels, such as the Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita, were built, attracting many foreigners and Japanese dignitaries. The tourism infrastructure developed during this period forms the foundation of today's Hakone tourism.
Active Volcano
Hakone is still an active volcanic area. In Owakudani, you can experience the smell of sulfur and white smoke rising from the ground. This geological activity is what creates Hakone's abundant hot spring resources. Depending on the state of volcanic activity, access restrictions may be imposed, so it is recommended to check the latest information before visiting.
Natural Environment
The Hakone area, with its varying elevations, is home to diverse vegetation. At the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands, you can observe rare plants that inhabit Hakone's unique wetlands.
Additionally, the hiking trails on the Hakone Outer Rim offer enjoyment of nature throughout the seasons, and the autumn foliage season, in particular, attracts many tourists.
Hakone Yosegi Zaiku
Hakone's representative traditional craft, "Hakone Yosegi Zaiku," is a precise woodworking technique that has continued since the Edo period. The technique, which utilizes the natural colors of different woods to create patterns, is used in various products such as small boxes, chopsticks, and photo frames. In Hakone Yumoto and Gora, there are many workshops and shops selling Yosegi Zaiku, and facilities where you can experience making it.
Hakone
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