Mount Hakone Mountains
Volcanic complex near Tokyo with hot springs and caldera
A volcanic massif west of Tokyo, Hakone draws visitors for Lake Ashi boat trips, hot-spring inns, the Hakone Open-Air Museum and occasional views of Mount Fuji; hiking, onsen bathing and the Hakone Tozan Railway are common activities.
Mount Hakone at a Glance#
Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/en/
About Mount Hakone#
Mount Hakone is a volcanic complex and resort area in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and notable for its caldera and lakes. The district is a long-established tourist region with hot springs, mountain views and cultural sites.
The landscape includes a caldera lake often referred to as Lake Ashi, scenic lakeside shrines, sightseeing cruises and multiple viewing points reached by road, cable car and ropeways. A mix of short walks and longer hikes link ridges, lakeshores and visitor facilities.
Active fumarolic areas such as Owakudani and numerous hot spring sources underlie the resort development; the volcanic landscape has shaped transport links and sightseeing infrastructure over centuries. Hakone has been known as a hot-spring and rest area since at least the Edo period and expanded as a modern tourist destination in the 20th century.
Geographically the complex sits in central Kanagawa Prefecture to the southwest of the Tokyo metropolitan area, on the edges of the Hakone caldera and within reach of regional rail and road networks.
- Fuji views: Visibility of Mount Fuji from vantage points such as lakeside viewpoints and cable cars is best on clear, cool days in winter and early spring.
- Safety and closures: Owakudani can be closed to visitors when volcanic gas levels are high, so check local advisories before visiting the valley areas.
What to See#
- Lake Ashi: A large crater lake formed within the caldera that is commonly called **Lake Ashi**; the lake shoreline is a focal point for sightseeing cruises and lakeside shrines.
- Owakudani: The **Owakudani** volcanic valley features active fumaroles and sulfurous vents and is a popular short-visit attraction near the summit area.
- Hakone Shrine and cultural sites: Hakone contains several historic and cultural sites including waterside shrines and museum complexes that sit within the national-park landscape.
How to Get to Mount Hakone#
From Odawara Station (Shinkansen stop), take the Hakone Tozan Railway up into the mountains and then local buses or the Hakone Ropeway to various viewing spots around Lake Ashi. From Tokyo, the Odakyu Romancecar provides a direct, comfortable option.
Tips for Visiting Mount Hakone#
- Use the Hakone Tozan Railway and local buses to access popular viewpoints; avoid driving into central Hakone on holiday weekends.
- Visit early morning for clearer views of Mount Fuji from Hakone's higher vantage points.
- Combine a ropeway ride and a short lakeside walk to see both volcanic features and sculpted gardens.
Best Time to Visit Mount Hakone#
Spring and autumn offer the best combination of weather and views; Hakone's tourism infrastructure runs year-round.
Weather & Climate near Mount Hakone#
Mount Hakone's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -4°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1902 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -4° - 6° | -5° | 55 mm | some cloud | 70% | 6.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Acceptable | -4° - 6° | -5° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 6.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 8° | -1° | 121 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 5.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 14° | 6° | 148 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 6.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.0h |
| May | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 167 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 5.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.9h |
| June | Acceptable | 12° - 20° | 16° | 236 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.4h |
| July | Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 198 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.1h |
| August | Very Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 288 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 4.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Good | 14° - 22° | 18° | 270 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Acceptable | 9° - 17° | 13° | 197 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 6.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Acceptable | 3° - 13° | 5° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 6.1 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.2h |
| December | Good | -2° - 9° | -1° | 50 mm | some cloud | 72% | 5.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
