Kanto · city guide

Hakone

Hot springs, art and a lake, close to Tokyo.

Hakone is a mountain hot-spring area about 85 minutes from Shinjuku. Most visitors follow a loop: mountain train, cable car, ropeway over the steaming Owakudani valley, then a boat across Lake Ashi. Add the Open-Air Museum and a soak at a ryokan or day spa, and it makes a gentle break from the city. Mt. Fuji views depend on the weather, so treat them as a bonus.

Best time: Autumn colors start around Lake Ashi and Sengokuhara in early November and reach Yumoto by about early December. Winter is clearer for Fuji views.

Top 5

  • Hakone Open-Air MuseumSculpture on hillside lawns, plus a Picasso pavilion.
  • Hakone RopewayOver Owakudani's volcanic vents to Lake Ashi.
  • Lake Ashi cruiseCross the lake toward Hakone Shrine's lakeside gate.
  • Old Tokaido cedar avenueStone-paved old highway under tall cedars.
  • Amazake ChayaAn old teahouse on the former highway.

A simple day

  1. Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto; leave bags at your inn.
  2. Mountain train to Gora and the Open-Air Museum.
  3. Cable car and ropeway via Owakudani.
  4. Lake Ashi cruise to Moto-Hakone.
  5. Back to your ryokan for a soak and dinner.

Where to stay

  • Hakone-YumotoEasiest arrival point, many ryokan.
  • GoraCentral for the museum and ropeway.
  • SengokuharaQuieter, with museums and grassland.

Places we’ve checked

From the psst directory. Opening days and prices change — check the official site before you go.

Getting there

Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto: about 85 min by Odakyu Romancecar.

psst — skip this mistake: Hauling big suitcases on the mountain train and ropeway. Send them ahead or leave them in Tokyo.