Hakone

Hakone used to be known as a post-town with a checking station called “Sekisho” on the Edo-era Tokaido highway, but nowadays it is a popular tourist spot which is easy to access from Tokyo. It is famous for its hot springs and great view of Mt. Fuji.

Photo

Hakone Daikanzan

Owakudani

Bubbling Pools in Owakudani

Hakone Ropeway

Hakone Sightseeing Cruise

Old Hakone Highway

Teahouse "Amazake-ja-ya"

Mt Fuji & Lake Ashinoko

Avenue of Cedars

Recommendation

As there are many places to see in Hakone, I would like you to stay overnight rather than make a day trip.

Hot Springs
There are some hot springs in Hakone area. If you are planning to visit by train, “Hakone-Yumoto” or “Gora” is a nice place to stay and enjoy hot springs. If you go by car, you have other choices such as “Sengokuhara”.

Owakudani & Lake Ashinoko Cruise
Many tourists enjoy the following sightseeing loop.

• Take Hakone Tozan Railway & Cablecar from “Hakone-Yumoto” to “Sounzan”
• Take Hakone Ropeway at “Sounzan” to see “Owakudani” and then move to “Togendai”
• Take Hakone Sightseeing Cruise to enjoy Lake Ashinoko from “Togendai” to “Moto-Hakone” port
• Take Hakone Tozan Bus at “Moto-Hakone” port to go back to “Hakone-Yumoto”, “Odawara” and so on

You should check some special sightseeing passes to go around Hakone.

Hiking on the Old Hakone Highway
Let me introduce my favorite hiking course in Hakone. After getting to “Hatajuku” by bus from “Hakone-Yumoto” or “Moto-Hakone” port, you can start hiking on the old Hakone highway leading to”Hakone Sekisho“, a checking station operated during the Edo era. It must be also great experience for you to take a rest at the traditional teahouse on the way, which is called “Amazake-ja-ya“.

Access

If you are planning to go to Hakone from Tokyo, the private Odakyu line is useful which runs into Hakone from Shinjuku station. If you go there from the western area in Japan, you should take a bullet train “Shinkansen” and change trains at Odawara station to Hakone Tozan Railway.

Travel Route

When I lived in Tokyo, I often visited Hakone to have a relaxed time. Let me introduce a route which enables you to enjoy all of my recommendations for your reference.