Hakone, an Onsen and Ryokan resort area
Hakone 箱根 is a resort town in the Kanagawa prefecture in the central region of Honshu in Japan. Hakone is famous for its views of mountains, scenic lakes, hot springs (onsen) and ryokans.
Hakone is included in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which the central feature is Mount Fuji. Also in the area is the Hakone Shrine, built in 757, a major shrine in central Japan and one of many religious monuments in the area. Hakone is the most popular resort area quickly accessibility from Tokyo. You can easily take day trips to Hakone from downtown Tokyo to enjoy the serene nature, as well as enjoy fantastic views of Mount Fuji.
From Youtube | By Discover Nippon
Still, there is a quite a distance between Mount Fuji and Hakone and so to really enjoy the area in a leisurely way, plan a 2 or 3 day trip from Tokyo to visit the best of Hakone.
For over hundreds of years, Hakone has been a resort destination, from the royal family of Japan to the common samurai, in search of total and complete relaxation, in traditional Japanese style. The onsens(hot springs) and Ryokans are in splendid natural surroundings and offer the best in traditional Japanese cuisine: the essence of Japan.
Tourist Attractions in the Hakone Onsen Resort Area
There are numerous tourist attractions in the Hakone area, besides many fine ryokan and onsen, there is museums, gardens, parks and golf courses.
Hakone Yumoto Station (Yumoto) - (1)
Hakone Yumoto Station is the entrance or gateway to the Hakone region. Very close to the station you will find
and TIC - Tourist Information Center.
Hakone Yumoto Tourist Association
http://www.hakoneyumoto.com/
Gora Park (Gora) - (2)
A French style rock garden at the foot of Mount Sounzan. At Gora is the terminal Station on the local train called Hakone Tozan Tetsudou (Hakone Tozan Railway). From Gora, you can take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car and go to the top of Sounzan Mountain, which has a splendid view of Mount Fuji. From the Souunzan station, take the Hakone Rope Way and go to Owakudani, where another beautiful view of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko is awaiting you.
Hakone Ropeway - Suspended Cable Car (Sengokuhara) - (3)
An aerial transportation route using Gondolas and suspension cables. Hakone has two aerial cable routes: one travelling between the Sounzan Station to the Owakudani Station, and the other travelling between Owakudani Station and the Togendai Station.
Hakone Visitor Center (Ashinoyu) - (4)
Hakone Visitor Center will help you find any information for the area, there is a giant, wide display screen that will introduce you the natural surroundings of Hakone.
Free Admission. Closed Dec. 28 to Jan. 3
To get to the Hakone Visitor Center, take the Hakone Tozan Bus bound for Kojiri-Togendai from Odawara Station, get off at Kouen-kanri Jimusho. Time of trip: 60 min
Owakudani Valley (Owakudani) - (5)
One of the sightseeing highlights of Hakone! The Owakudani valley is a volcanic area where sulfurous fumes arise, as you walk around small bubbling pools of mud. Again, the dominant image of Fuji-san is spectacular, this breath-taking view can be seen from above volcanic gorges in the area.
Ashinoko (Lake Ashi) - (6)
Lake Ashi and the surrounding area is a beautiful lake resort town. Lake Ashi also has popular for Lake Cruise where you can enjoy panoramic views of Mount Fuji.
Mount Komagatake (Motohakone) - (7)
From the top of Mount Hakone Komagatake you can enjoy panoramic views views of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. You can reach the top of Mount Hakone Komagatake by the Komagatake Ropeway.
*There are several mountains named Komagatake in Japan.
Hakone Sekisho (Shogun Check Point) - (8)
Hakone Sekisho was a check point placed by Shogun in the Edo period. Hidetada Tokugawa placed a 'check points' or armed boundary to control the local Daiyo (lords of the region). This check point has been designated a heritage site in 1922.
Hakone town - (9)
There are many attractions available, with all access points to Lake Ashi. For example, there is the Hakone Detached Palace Garden, the Hakone Ashinoyu Flower Center, Wild Grass Garden, the Hongenji Temple, the Hakone Shrine, Cedar Avenue ( a long path with large cedar trees on both sides) and a TIC - Tourist Information Center.
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun -(10)
It will take from 60 to 90 minutes depending on taking a bus, regular train or Shinkansen (bullet train).
THE HAKONE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM -(11)
A List of Golf Courses in the Hakone area:
Odawara Yumoto Country Club (Yumoto)
Sengoku Golf Course (Sengokuhara)
Daihakone Country Club (Sengokuhara)
Hakone Country Club (Sengokuhara)
Hakone Lakeshore Golf Course (Sengokuhara)
Hakone Yunohana Golf Course (Sengokuhara)
Hakone-en Golf Course (Motohakone)
Hakone Kurakake Golf Course (Hakonetouge)
Hakone Information
How to get to Hakone from Tokyo
If you are staying in downtown Tokyo you can get to the Hakone area from either the Tokyo or Shinjuku Stations. It take will from 60 to 90 minutes depending on taking a bus, regular train or Shinkansen (bullet train).
From Narita Airport to Hakone-yumoto Station
By train by way of Shinjuku
Total travel time: 190 min. Total FARE 5,270 Yen
Narita Airport - (JR Narita Exp. 85 min. 3,190 Yen) - Shinjuku St. - (Odakyu Line Ltd. Exp. Romance Car 90 min. 2,080 Yen- Hakone-yumoto Station
By bus and train by way of Shinjuku
Total travel time: 190 min. Total FARE 5,180 Yen
Narita Airport - (Airport Bus 85 min. 3,100 Yen) - Shinjuku St. - (Odakyu Line Ltd. Exp. Romance Car 90 min. 2,080 Yen) - Hakoneyumoto Station
By train by way of Tokyo Station. (1)
Total Travel time: 140min Total Fare 6,550 Yen
Narita Airport - (JR Narita Exp. 60min. 3,020 Yen) - Tokyo Station (The Shinkansen 40 min. 3,220 Yen) - Odawara St.- (Hakone Tozan Railway 15 min. 310 Yen) - Hakoneyumoto Station
By train by way of Tokyo Station. (2)
Total Travel time: 180min Total Fare 4,820 Yen
Narita Airport - (JR Narita Exp. 60min. 3,020 Yen) - Tokyo Station (JR Tokaido Line* 1 hr.12 min. 1,490 Yen) - Odawara St.- (Hakone Tozan Railway 15 min. 310 Yen) - Hakoneyumoto Station
*Extra fee (1000 Yen) is charged for Upper Class Car
From Haneda Airport to Hakone-yumoto Station
By Bus
Total Travel time: 140min TOTAL FARE 1950 Yen
Haneda Airport - (Odakyu Hakone Yumoto Air Liner 140min.) - Hakone Yumoto Station
*Served only twice a day in the morning
By Train on the Tokaido Honsen Line
Total Travel time: 90min TOTAL FARE 1,760 Yen
Haneda Airport - (Keikyu Line 25 min. 480 Yen) - Yokohama St. - (JR Tokaido Honsen Line 60 min. 970 Yen) - Odawara St.- (Hakone Tozan Railway 15min. 310 Yen) - Hakoneyumoto Station
By Train on the Shinkansen
Total Travel time: 90min TOTAL FARE 3,770 Yen
Haneda Airport - (Keikyu Line 20 min. 410 Yen) - Shinagawa Sta. - (The Shinkansen 35 min. 3,050 Yen) - Odawara Sta.- (Hakone Tozan Railway 15 min. 310 Yen) - Hakoneyumoto Station.
Hakone Free Pass - Rail and Bus Transit
If you take the Odakyu Line from the Shinjuku Station in downtown Tokyo, you should purchase a Hakone Free Pass, a real good value.
The pass helps you save train or bus fare. For more detail on purchasing your pass, please refer to this site: Hakone Free Pass
Related Websites
Odakyu Electric Railway
https://www.odakyu.jp/
Hakone Tozan Railway
https://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/en/
Hakone Tozan Bus
https://www.hakone-tozanbus.co.jp/
Hakone Navi
https://www.hakonenavi.jp/
National Park Hakone
https://hakone-japan.com/
