Exciting Things to Do in Hakone Japan
Memorable and Exciting Things to Do in Hakone Japan
In Hakone Japan, the array of captivating activities can make deciding where to begin an exhilarating challenge. With a plethora of exciting things to do in Hakone, if one were to soak in the experiences of each attraction, ride and activities, even a couple of days can feel fleeting. Faced with the dilemma of choice of what to do in Hakone, we meticulously curated a list of must-experience activities. We aimed to savor each moment without haste, despite having just a single day to explore this enchanting destination – Hakone Japan.
Exciting things to do in Hakone Japan
Hakone Freepass
Hakone Freepass is of big help for a hassle-free tour of Hakone attractions. Hakone’s wide range of transportation services include train, cable car, cruise, ropeway and bus. Like a child I enjoyed all the rides in Hakone! Starting from the mountain tram ride where I was in the coach just behind the engine drivers’, the cable car ride, ropeway and a cruise.
The Hakone Freepass is not free as the name suggests but is a discount excursion ticket offering coverage to the popular sightseeing destinations in Hakone utilizing the different (8) modes of transportation. The more you ride them the more you save!
The Hakone Freepass can be purchased over the counters from different stations. It is the cheapest at 5000Y per adult and 1000Y for child, valid for two days, when purchased from Odawara station. This pass was great value for us. Though valid for 2 days but it’s still great value for a day trip if you plan well. You can cover all the exciting things to do in Hakone in one day, slightly hurried one though.
Hakone Freepass – Hakone Map
Advantages of Hakone Freepass
- round-trip train tickets from Shinjuku in Tokyo
- unlimited rides on all the local transport in Hakone
- get discounts at many local attractions
Hakone Tozan Railway Japan
A ride in the Hakone Tozan Railway is a must do thing in Hakone because it is unique for several reasons. This is the only mountaineering tram in the whole of Japan. And the tram ride is through a scenic path cutting across tunnels as it climbs Mount Hakone. Stunning views came up as we crossed the over the 43m high Deyama Iron Bridge and Hayakawa Stream.
Have you been in one single ride where the journey is reversed in the middle? Hakone Tozan rail takes a zig-zag route, somewhere in between the transit the direction reverses and the driver and the flight attendant are exchanged. The driving direction of the vehicle is reversed.
The mountain side is bedecked with blooming flowering trees in different seasons of the year except winters. The hydrangeas begin blooming in mid-June until the end of July. The Hakone Tozan Train thus earned the nickname “Hydrangea Train”. Autumn time too is full show off time for Mt. Hakone as if set on fire with its fiery foliage colors. No time is boring on this tram; add this to your list of Hakone things to do.
Hakone Tozan Train – Things to Do in Hakone Japan
Hakone Tozan Cable Car
Do take the Hakone Tozan Cable car that connects Gora Station to Sounzan Station. It is a short ride but an enjoyable one. Do get here early to get a seat, that is if you don’t mind standing in the crowd later. It is a 1.2 km stretch. The Hakone cable car rises 211m between Gora Station and Sounzan Station in virtually a straight line, and takes about 10 min by car.
Gora Station is a transportation hub in Hakone, connecting the Hakone Tozan Cable Car with the Hakone Tozan Railway, allowing travelers to access different parts of Hakone and enjoy the scenic ride up the mountainside.
Sounzan Station is a transfer point that connects the cable car to the Hakone Ropeway, providing access to Owakudani and onward to Togendai Station near Lake Ashi.
For the first time I saw a cable-car platform station that has a slope-like shape. This ride in Hakone Cable Car is covered in the Hakone Day pass.
Hakone Freepass Tickets – our tickets were punched at the Cable Car station once.
Hakone Ropeway
One the most enjoyable things to do in Hakone Japan is to experience a ride in the Hakone Ropeway. This stretch runs between Togendai Station situated close to the shores of Lake Ashi and Owakudani station close to a volcanic valley known for its active sulfur vents. Throughout the ride you get stunning aerial views of the surrounding landscapes and scenic views of Mount Fuji on clear days.
The gondola offers a 360-degree view of Hakone. As the gondola passes by Owakudani and Laozi, we get a bird’s-eye view of the forest between Soun Mountain and Taoyuantai by Lake Ashi. As you get closer to Umako and Togendai, you can see the panoramic view of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji behind Mount Kinabalu and the four seasons from the cable car. Tourists let out a scream the moment they spotted Mount Fuji!
At the heights between Soun Mountain and Dawong Valley, the cable car is just 130 meters above the ground. It was exciting to see the huge crater below, which is breathtaking. We could stop along the ropeway station and explore the volcanic terrain, experience hot springs, and enjoy panoramic vistas before continuing our journey in Hakone.
The 24-minute journey covers 4 km, making it one of the world’s longest ropeway rides. There are long queues to these rides, sometimes it seems like ages before your turn comes, but all you can do is wait! This ride too is a part of the Hakone Freepass.
Hakone Ropeway
Hakone Cruise over Lake Ashi
When it comes to exploring Lake Ashi, hopping aboard a cruise is the way to go. There are a couple of cruise companies, namely Hakone Cruise and Izu-Hakone Ship, but the one that really stands out is the Hakone Cruise. It’s pretty cool because it looks like pirate ships—the Victory, Southern European Royal Sun (Royal II), and Nordic Lion Vasa King (Vasa). They’re all decked out like something straight from a swashbuckling adventure, making the trip super interesting.
After checking out Owakudani, the next move is taking the Hakone Ropeway to Taoyuantai Port by Lake Ashi’s edge. That’s where you hop on the pirate ship and set sail. Cruising along the lake, you get to soak in the stunning views on both sides. It’s pretty chill, with the breeze blowing gently as the retro cruise ship glides over the water.
There are a couple of stops along the way—Moto-Hakone Port and Hakone-machi Port. Whether you’re keen on historic spots or just love being out on the water, these Hakone ports have something for everyone.
If you’re into exploring places like the Narukawa Art Museum, Gift Hakone Park, or the Hakone Shrine, aim for the cruise ship that docks at Moto-Hakone Port. But if time’s tight, you can go straight to these ports and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi.
So, if you’re thinking about the Izu-Hakone ships, they cover some more routes. To catch one of these cruises, head south from Togendai for about 10 minutes until you reach Kojiri Port.
The Izu-Hakone ships have stops at Hakone Garden Port, Moto Hakone Port, and Hakone Sekisho Port. Near Hakone Garden Port, you’ve got cool stuff like the Hakone Garden Aquarium. Oh, and remember, the pirate ships won’t dock here, so make sure to choose the right cruise ship if you’re planning to visit these attractions.
Pro Tip: You can take more than one ride in the cruise.
Tokai Bus in Hakone Japan
This bus service runs from Hakone to Izu-Peninsula. After our cruise on Lake Ashi we took this bus to Hakone station. The bus was a faster way back to Odawara from Motohakone-ko but didn’t add
much to the trip for us.
We experienced the above transportation services free of charge with the Hakone Freepass. In addition to the above transportation services there are three more transportation services. If you have experienced any of the three below, please do share in my comment box.
- Hakone Tozan Bus – This bus route links major Hakone attractions. You can get to the Glass Forest, Hakone Open Air Museum and Hakone Kowai-en Yunessun.
- Odakyu Highway Bus – This highway bus operates between Shinjuku Station, Gotemba and Hakone.
- Romancecar – The Romancecar is an Odakyu limited express train with reserved seating only. It connects the tourist attractions of Hakone, Enoshima and Kamakura.
Hakone What to Do
Now that you have a fairly good idea of how to commute in Hakone read on to know about the things to do in Hakone.
Lake Ashinoko
Lake Ashi serves as the focal point and heart of Hakone, drawing in every tourist who wishes to leave their mark in this beautiful region. A volcanic lake formed by volcanic activity, Ashi Lake is located in the west of Hakone-machi, at the southern foot of Mount Komagata. The place wears a different charm in every season and you will never be disappointed in terms of views of the lake. A torii gate of Hakone Shrine on the far shore adds to the beauty of the view.
Plenty of trails to experience around the region if you plan the Hakone visit with lot of time in hand.
Hakone Cruise on Lake Ashi
Owakudani in Hakone Japan
Owakudani, shaped by a volcanic eruption over 3,000 years ago, is a remarkable volcanic valley featuring active sulfur vents and rejuvenating hot springs. Renowned for its volcanic activity and breathtaking vistas, this site stands out as one of Hakone’s premier tourist destinations.
Exploring Owakudani tops my list of recommendations in Hakone. The natural allure of this volcanic terrain is truly captivating. Known for its sulfur springs and famed Kuro Tamago (Black Eggs), spending 2-3 hours here offers a comprehensive experience. Surprisingly, that’s more than sufficient; most visitors spend less than an hour unless they opt for a meal. The stroll to the volcanic zone is a brief 15-minute walk, allowing many to return to the ropeway station within an hour.
This site visit is free and highly recommended.
Owakudani Hakone Japan
Hakone Shrine
If you have time to visit just one shrine in Hakone let it be the Hakone Shrine. This Shrine was founded in 757 AD on Mt. Hakone, a holy place of mountain beliefs. A historical shrine, revered as the chief guardian of Hakone Daigoen, it was worshipped by many military commanders such as Minamoto Yoritomo and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Here you can experience the style and culture of traditional Japanese shrines, while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery that offers excellent photo opportunities. It is believed Hakone Shrine is a famous power spot and people who visit the shrine say that they sense the presence of a divine being all over the area.
We could spot the shrine from cruise by its large red torii gate located along the shore of Lake Ashi. This shrine gate, the rear entrance to the shrine, is known as the “Gate of Peace” (heiwa no torii). There are two koma-inu (koma-dogs) at the front entrance.
The architectural style of this shrine is very beautiful. Approach to the shrine is lined with huge cedar trees. Can you believe that there are more than 800 ancient trees in the vicinity of this shrine?
One of these special cedar trees (decorated with a sacred straw rope) is believed to be the symbol for an easy delivery when giving birth. Three Gods enshrined here are family: The ancient God of Ninigi-no-mikoto married Konohana-sakuya-hime-no-mikoto and a boy Hikohohodemi-no-mikoto was born. it is said that the tree reflects descended prosperity as well. A dragon adorns the purification basin. It is believed to be the protector of the shrine.
Best time to visit Hakone Shrine would be early in the morning if you are staying in Hakone or just before the closing time.
Timings: 8.30 AM to 5 PM
Tickets cost 1080 Y, but you get free entry with a Hakone Freepass.
Torii and Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashi
Hakone Hot Springs
Hakone is blessed with numerous hot springs due its unique geological location. Onsen in the upper highlands and mountains that are milky white and good for your skin. Other onsen at the base of the mountains have a high alkaline level that aids in skin recovery. Some onsen have a strong sulfuric smell while others have a weaker one but, in general, the milkier the water, the stronger the sulfuric smell. There are many facilities that provide gender segregated indoor and outdoor baths with nice views into the forest.
Views of Mt. Fiji from Hakone
Hakone is about 60 km from Mount Fuji. You can get Various splendid views of Mt. Fuji dot the Hakone area, each offering a unique perspective of the renowned mountain.
- Traveling from Moto-Hakone Port to Hakone Pirate Ship Togendai Port allows simultaneous admiration of Heiwa no Torii and Mt. Fuji, especially striking when snow-clad.
- The Prefectural Onshi-Hakone Park, situated on the former site of XIV Hakone Palace, offers panoramic views of Lake Ashi, the surrounding mountains, and even Mt. Fuji’s peak on clear, sunny days—a recognized gem among the 50 Picturesque Sights of Kanagawa.
- Ascending to the second-floor balcony of Villa Imperial de Hakone treats visitors to a century-old panorama.
- Owakudani, often associated with a desolate mountain range and hydrogen sulfide vapors, surprises on clear days by revealing a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji.
Best time to get good views of Mount Fuji from Hakone is during winters when these spots amplify the experience due to the exceptionally clear air that expands the vista, revealing more than expected.
Pic with due credits to OdawaraHakoneGuide, shared to give an idea how beautiful Hakone looks even in Winters. This is exciting for me as I am from the tropical region where we hardly get to see the snow, but not if you live with it all the time
Hakone Open Air Museum
Honestly Hakone Open-Air Museum is too expensive. There are some artistically created sculptures scattered over a vast area. All in the open with no shade. Better avoided, as it can get very hot and tiring. Only the Picasso art is within a covered complex, but no photography is allowed here. If you have seen the Picasso Museum in Barcelona Spain, then you can by all means give this a miss.
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM. (last admission 4.30 PM)
Tickets: ¥1,600 (¥1,400 for Hakone Free Pass holders)
Tour time: Two hours
Group in Front of the Sea by Francisco Zuniga in Hakone Open-Air Museum
‘Gurasu no Mori’, or Glass Forest Museum
Looking for a place that feels like a fairy wonderland? The Glass Forest Art Museum with its pieces on display and the artwork is truly delicate and exquisite. It is a small compact place worth stopping if anyone is interested in glass art forms. The garden surrounds a pond meant to resemble a Venetian canal, and every season is different as trees change color and flowers bloom. There are several trees and fountains made of crystal glass next to the pool. Live Canzoni (Italian ballad) performances take place at the Café Terrazza there.
Time required: around half an hour
Timings: 10 AM to 5.30 PM
Tickets: 1800 Y
POLA Museum Hakone
POLA Art Museum is a wonderful display of the personal collection of former President of the Pola Group Suzuki Changji (thus the name). His collections span over 40 years. The museum houses a fantastic collection of Western and Japanese art, including works by renowned artists like Monet, Renoir, and Picasso. Plus, the setting itself is stunning, nestled amidst the beautiful nature of Hakone with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. It’s a great place to appreciate art while immersing yourself in the tranquility of the countryside.
Tickets: Adults 1800 Y (when the museum is crowded, the number of visitors in the galleries will be limited)
Time required: around an hour
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Hakone Garden Aquarium
The Hakone-en Aquarium, also known as the Hakone Garden Aquarium, offers a fascinating glimpse into various aquatic species native to Japan and around the world. I have not been to the place but I guess the place is a great hit with children. It is a great place to hit if you are caught up in the rain. While specifics might vary over time it’s a good idea to check their current offerings or any special events they might have planned during your visit. Here are some of the attractions you might typically find:
- Freshwater and Marine Life: Displays featuring a diverse range of freshwater and marine creatures, including fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.
- Japanese Pond Life: Exhibits showcasing indigenous Japanese aquatic life, such as koi fish, turtles, and other pond creatures.
- Educational Displays: Informational sections providing insights into marine ecosystems, habitats, and conservation efforts.
Odawara Castle
Beyond Hakone, Odawara City is worth a visit to see the Odawara Castle. Do read: Best Things to Do in Odawara City.
Stay in Ryokan in Hakone Japan
To truly experience Hakone, staying in a ryokan is key. These traditional Japanese inns, dating back to the Edo period, are integral to Japan’s travel culture. Let me warn you they are pricier than standard hotels and those that come with mountain views and Onsen cost even more. Ryokans offer a cozy, familial vibe, ensure your comfort despite language barriers and include epic meals, with multiple courses of delectable Japanese cuisine. I guess it is ok to splurge if this going to be your only visit to Japan and you have planned more than a day’s stay in Hakone.
FAQ about Hakone Japan
Where is Hakone?
Hakone is a town situated in the western Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. Hakone is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. A mountainous area, it lies on the famous Tokaido Road connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. Distance from Tokyo to Hakone is 85.1 km by road. There are good train connections between Hakone and other popular cities of Japan.
Google coordinates: 35.237581685295595, 139.10769382876757
Address: Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa, Japan
How to reach Hakone Japan?
If you have a Japan Rail Pass it is faster to reach from Tokyo to Hakone. Take the bullet train from Tokyo to Odawara station, takes 30 min, where you’ll transfer to Hakone-Yumoto station. Alternatively, you can take a bus to reach various attractions of Hakone.
By bus: Several highway buses run from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo directly to various destinations in Hakone, such as Hakone-Yumoto or Togendai (Lake Ashi).
By rental car: You can drive from Tokyo to Hakone, but keep in mind that Hakone’s roads can be narrow and winding. Additionally, there are tolls to consider.
How long should I spend in Hakone?
There is so much to see and do in the Hakone Region. After our short unsatiated visit of just one day in Hakone, due to our tight timeframe, we would definitely recommend that you plan to stay in Hakone for at least two days to make the most of the local options.
Why is Hakone Famous?
Hakone is famous for its stunning rich natural beauty, scenic landscapes, hot springs (onsen), traditional ryokan, relaxing hot spring resorts, views of Mount Fuji, and the famous Lake Ashi. Popular Hakone sightseeing spots include Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum. And most important Hakone makes an easy destination for day trip from Tokyo.
What is the best time to visit Hakone Japan?
Well, Hakone doesn’t truly have an off-season. The best time depends on your nature preference. Are you drawn to cherry blossoms or captivated by the beauty of hydrangeas? Perhaps vibrant foliage steals your heart, or maybe the serene blanket of snow is more your style. Whether it’s spring with its cherry blossoms, the rainy season, the vibrant hues of autumn, or the serene winters, Hakone offers its unique charm throughout the year.
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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.
