Hakone City
Famous hot spring resort in Japan
Steam drifts from ryokans and onsen in Hakone while Lake Ashi launches tourist boats beneath views of Mount Fuji. Travelers choose hot-spring baths, the Open-Air Museum’s sculptures, hiking trails and ropeway panoramas over volcanic fumaroles.
Hakone at a Glance#
Costs: Moderate to high daily budget - $120-250 per day for midrange travelers; ryokans and onsen stays raise costs.
Safety: Very safe, low crime - very safe; low violent crime. Take normal care around hot springs and volcanic vents.
Best Time: March-May and September-November - spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage are best; avoid peak summer holidays for smaller crowds.
Japan’s favourite hot-spring escape - a mountainous resort of onsen ryokans, open-air art and lake views of Mount Fuji, an easy retreat from Tokyo.
Why go / don’t miss: soaking in onsen hot springs, Mount Fuji views over Lake Ashi, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the pirate-ship lake cruise and Owakudani volcanic valley (black eggs), and the scenic loop of trains, cablecars and ropeways.
Neighborhoods: the resort spreads across the valley - Gora / Sengokuhara for ryokans and art, Moto-Hakone for the lake.
Getting around: the Hakone loop (mountain railway, cablecar, ropeway, boat); a Hakone Free Pass covers it.
When to go: clear autumn and winter days give the best Fuji views; spring for blossoms.
Where to stay: an onsen ryokan (with private hot-spring bath) is the classic experience.
Dining: kaiseki ryokan dinners and the Owakudani black eggs.
Local tips: stay overnight in a ryokan for the onsen, and pick a clear day for the Fuji views; it’s a short hop from Tokyo.
Why Visit Hakone?#
Set in the mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture, Hakone draws travelers seeking Japan’s spa culture and close views of Mount Fuji. Its onsen town atmosphere combines with Lake Ashi cruises and the volcanic Owakudani valley to create memorable outdoor contrasts. Art lovers come for the Hakone Open-Air Museum and boutique galleries along the Hakone Tozan Railway, while cuisine-from kaiseki ryori to black eggs cooked in hot springs-anchors the local experience.
Best Things to Do in Hakone#
Hakone Bucket List#
Hakone Shrine - Pray at Hakone Shrine’s torii by Lake Ashi, serene forested approach.
Hakone Open-Air Museum - Roam Hakone Open-Air Museum’s sculpture gardens and Picasso collection in mountain setting.
Owakudani Valley - See Owakudani volcanic valley, black eggs and sulphur vents with great views.
Hakone Sekisho checkpoint - Explore Hakone Sekisho, restored Edo-period checkpoint with exhibits and historic atmosphere.
Pola Museum of Art - Discover Pola Museum’s modern Japanese art collection among cedar forest trails.
Hakone-Yumoto ashiyu - Soak in public ashiyu footbaths in Hakone-Yumoto, relaxing after mountain walks.
Mount Fuji viewpoints - Take a lakeside cruise or ropeway for classic Mount Fuji vistas on clear days.
Odawara Castle - Visit Odawara Castle, samurai exhibitions and restored keep near Hakone’s train line.
Best Time to Visit Hakone#
Visit Hakone in spring (late March-May) or autumn (October-November) for mild weather, clearer views of Mount Fuji and colorful foliage. Summers are humid with a June rainy season and winters are chilly with occasional snow.
December - February
0-8°C (32-46°F)
Crisp, clear days with occasional snow; perfect for hot springs and Mt. Fuji views, though mornings are chilly and some mountain trails can be icy.
March - May
8-20°C (46-68°F)
Cherry blossoms and fresh greenery make hikes and sightseeing delightful; mornings can be cool, but afternoons are pleasant and photography is excellent.
June - August
18-28°C (64-82°F)
June brings persistent humidity and rain; late summer gets hot and muggy, visibility for Fuji often poor, but hot springs remain enjoyable.
Hakone's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -2°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1814 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -3° - 8° | -2° | 59 mm | some cloud | 70% | 5.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Acceptable | -3° - 7° | -2° | 73 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 5.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 0° - 10° | 1° | 123 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 5.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 144 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 5.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.0h |
| May | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 160 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.9h |
| June | Good | 14° - 22° | 18° | 226 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.4h |
| July | Good | 18° - 25° | 21° | 181 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.1h |
| August | Very Good | 19° - 27° | 23° | 257 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Good | 16° - 23° | 20° | 249 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 11° - 18° | 15° | 187 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 5.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Good | 5° - 15° | 7° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 5.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 0° - 10° | 2° | 54 mm | some cloud | 72% | 5.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
How to Get to Hakone#
Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture) is reached via Tokyo’s airport hubs and Tokyo rail stations; Odawara Station and Hakone‑Yumoto are the main local gateways. Visitors typically travel via Shinjuku (Odakyu Romancecar) or Tokyo/Odawara (JR/Shinkansen) and then switch to Hakone’s local rail, bus and ropeway network.
Tokyo Haneda (HND): From Haneda you can reach Hakone via train connections through Shinagawa and Odawara (transfer to JR Tokaido Line or Shinkansen at Shinagawa). Expect about 90-120 minutes door-to-door depending on transfers; typical fares from Haneda to Odawara by rail are in the ~1,500-2,000 JPY range.
Narita (NRT): From Narita take the Narita Express (N’EX) into Tokyo (some N’EX services continue to Odawara) or N’EX to Tokyo and then Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto. Journey time is typically 2-2.5 hours; Narita Express fares to the Odawara/Tokyo area are around 3,000-3,500 JPY and the Odakyu Romancecar Shinjuku→Hakone-Yumoto costs roughly 2,000-2,400 JPY (reserved seat).
Train: The rail gateways are Odawara Station (JR/Tokaido/Shinkansen) and Hakone-Yumoto (Odakyu / Hakone Tozan Railway). From Shinjuku take the Odakyu Romancecar direct to Hakone-Yumoto (about 85-90 min, ~2,000-2,400 JPY). From Tokyo Station the Tokaido Shinkansen reaches Odawara in ~35 min (shinkansen fares are higher than local trains). The Hakone Tozan Railway runs Hakone-Yumoto→Gora (~40 min) and connects with the ropeway and buses.
Bus: Hakone Tozan Bus and local operators link stations with lake, onsen and sightseeing spots; single fares vary by route but are commonly a few hundred to around 1,000 JPY. The Odakyu Hakone Freepass (available from Shinjuku or Odawara) bundles most local transport (rail, bus, ropeway, pirate ship) for 1-2 days and is often the best value for visitors.
How to Get Around Hakone#
Hakone is best navigated by combining regional rail (Odawara/Shinjuku), the Hakone Tozan Railway, buses, ropeway and short walks. For most visitors the Odakyu Hakone Freepass simplifies transfers and saves money - rent a car only if you need maximum flexibility.
- Odakyu Romancecar (Shinjuku → Hakone‑Yumoto) (¥2,000-¥2,400) - Direct limited‑express service from Shinjuku to Hakone‑Yumoto with reserved seating and convenient luggage space. It’s the easiest rail option from central Tokyo for tourists because it avoids multiple transfers; book reservations during peak seasons.
- Shinkansen / JR (Tokyo → Odawara) (¥3,000+) - Fastest rail approach from Tokyo to the Odawara gateway station (then local transfer to Hakone). Shinkansen cuts travel time to Odawara to under an hour from central Tokyo but costs more than Odakyu services.
- Hakone Tozan Railway (¥400-¥600) - The mountain railway climbs from Hakone‑Yumoto to Gora with scenic switchbacks; it connects with the ropeway and bus network. It’s slow but part of the experience-use it for short hops between sights.
- Hakone Tozan Bus & Local Buses (¥200-¥1,040) - Buses link stations, lakeside points, museums and onsen hotels; single fares vary by distance. Buses are essential for many sights-check schedules in low season and consider the Hakone Freepass if you’ll use several routes.
- Taxis (¥1,000-¥3,000 (short rides)) - Useful for luggage, off‑schedule transfers or reaching remote ryokan; noticeably more expensive than public transport. Good for short hops or early/late arrivals when buses are sparse.
- Walking - Many attractions (onsen towns, lakeside promenades) are best explored on foot-short walks reveal views, shops and restaurants that buses skip. Wear comfortable shoes for hilly streets and trails.
Where to Stay in Hakone#
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Where to Eat in Hakone#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Hakone’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Hakone#
Hakone’s shopping centers on Hakone-Yumoto and around the lakeshore lean toward tourist souvenirs and local crafts. Look for Hakone yosegi (intricate wood marquetry), onsen goods (bath salts, towels) and gallery shops at museums. Museum shops - especially at the Open-Air Museum - and small timber craft stores are the best places to find local, handcrafted items rather than major malls.
Nightlife in Hakone#
Nightlife in Hakone is low-key and geared toward visitors staying overnight. Most evenings are spent in ryokan public or private baths and small bars or izakaya clustered around Hakone-Yumoto and Gora. There’s no club scene; expect relaxed drinking spots attached to inns, a scattering of pubs and hotel lounges rather than late-night venues.
