16 Things to Do in Hakone (Nature, Food & Onsen)

16 Things to Do in Hakone (Nature, Food & Onsen)

16 Things to Do in Hakone (Nature, Food & Onsen)

During my last trip to Japan, I spent 2 days exploring these 16 best activities and attractions in Hakone, Japan’s premier onsen ryokan located just 90 minutes from Tokyo! Hakone offers incredible natural beauty, cultural experiences, and relaxing hot springs that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

What to do in Hakone?

1. Owakudani Valley

Owakudani Valley is a volcanic valley formed about 3,000 years ago by volcanic activity, and it’s still actively producing sulfurous steam that creates a truly unique geological landscape. When you visit this fascinating place, you can taste the famous “black eggs” that are cooked in the onsen here!

2. Lake Ashi and Hakone Pirate Ship

Lake Ashi is a beautiful volcanic lake where you can take a luxurious Hakone pirate ship cruise that connects three ports: Tōgendai, Hakone-machi, and Moto-Hakone. When the weather is clear, you’ll be able to see Mount Fuji in all its glory! This unique mode of transportation adds an element of adventure to your sightseeing experience.

3. Hakone Shrine with its iconic red torii gate

Hakone Shrine, located on the shores of Lake Ashi, is a historic shrine famous for its iconic red torii gate that stands in the water. This shrine is known for bringing good luck in competitions and financial matters, making it a popular destination for visitors seeking these blessings. The “Heiwa Torii” (Peace Torii) on the lake shore is an absolutely perfect photography spot that I highly recommend for capturing those Instagram-worthy moments.

  • Special feature: The lakeside “Heiwa Torii” is an excellent photography spot
  • 📍Google Map

4. Hakone Open-Air Museum

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is Japan’s first outdoor museum, featuring about 120 works by modern and contemporary sculptors including masterpieces by Picasso and Henry Moore. This unique museum seamlessly blends art and nature, creating an inspiring environment where you can appreciate sculptures in their natural surroundings. If you’re interested in art museums, you might also enjoy Kyoto’s art museums.

  • Fees: Adults ¥2,000, High school & university students ¥1,600, Elementary & middle school students ¥800
  • 📍Google Map

5. Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum is Japan’s first museum dedicated to Venetian glass, displaying 15th to 18th-century noble glass art pieces in an Italian-style building. The intricate craftsmanship and beautiful displays will absolutely mesmerize you, especially if you appreciate fine art and historical artifacts. The architecture itself is stunning and adds to the overall experience of the visit. For more cultural experiences, check out Kyoto’s traditional crafts.

The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum is Japan’s first museum dedicated to Venetian glass, displaying 15th to 18th-century noble glass art pieces in an Italian-style building. The intricate craftsmanship and beautiful displays will absolutely mesmerize you, especially if you appreciate fine art and historical artifacts. The architecture itself is stunning and adds to the overall experience of the visit.

  • Fees: Adults ¥1,80, High school & university students ¥1,300, Elementary & middle school students ¥600, 65+ ¥1,700
  • 📍Google Map

6. Hakone Museum of Art

The Hakone Museum focuses on Japanese pottery and features the Shinzen-en Garden, designated as a national scenic spot, especially beautiful during autumn foliage season. This cultural destination offers a perfect harmony of art and nature that connects visitors to traditional Japanese aesthetics.

  • Fees: Adults ¥1,430, High school & university students ¥660, Elementary school and below free
  • 📍Google Map

7. Hakone Gora Park

Built in 1914, Gora Park is Japan’s first French formal garden where you can enjoy different flowers throughout the four seasons. The park’s elegant design and seasonal blooms create a delightful atmosphere that makes it perfect for a relaxing stroll. I found myself spending more time here than expected, just enjoying the peaceful environment and beautiful floral displays.

  • Fees: Adults ¥650, Elementary school and below free; Free with “Hakone Free Pass”
  • 📍Google Map

What local food and cuisine to try in Hakone?

1. Yuba Don Chokuji

Located near Hakone-Yumoto Station along the Asakawa River, this Japanese restaurant specializes in dishes made with yuba (tofu skin) prepared by boiling and scooping. The yuba here is made with pure “Hime no Mizu” spring water and high-quality soy milk from Okutama, creating a smooth texture that will absolutely delight your taste buds. This is definitely a must-try culinary experience that captures the essence of local Hakone flavors.

2. Hakone Gin Tofu

Located right in front of “Gora” station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, this long-established tofu shop supplies breakfast tofu to many hotels and inns in Hakone and is highly praised by locals. The quality and freshness of their tofu products are exceptional, and I was really impressed by how this simple ingredient can be transformed into such delicious dishes. Tofu is a staple in Japanese cuisine, and you can also try excellent tofu dishes at Nanzenji Junsei in Kyoto.

3. Tamura Ginsyoten Honpo

This restaurant is famous for its fried pork cutlet tofu, using tofu from the long-established “Hakone Gin Tofu” in Gora, with minced meat inside, prepared by frying first and then boiling. The unique combination of flavors and textures makes this a standout dining experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

4. Hakone Natural Yam Forest

This specialty restaurant for yam dishes is set in a beautiful natural environment, offering various dishes prepared with “natural yam” known as the “king of yams.” The yam dishes are both nutritious and delicious, making this a perfect choice for health-conscious travelers.

5. Hakone Onsen Manju

Onsen manju is a must-try local delicacy when visiting Hakone, this onsen town. This store, with over 100 years of history, is the original onsen manju specialty shop where each manju is made fresh daily by skilled artisans. The warm, soft buns with sweet filling are the perfect snack to enjoy while exploring the area. Similar traditional Japanese sweets can be found in Kyoto.

Where to experience onsen in Hakone?

1. Hakone Yumoto Onsen

Hakone Yumoto Onsen is the most famous onsen area in Hakone, with a long history dating back to the Nara period. This area features numerous hot spring facilities and traditional Japanese inns, making it the perfect place to experience authentic Hakone onsen culture. Learn more about onsen etiquette and experiences throughout Japan.

  • Special feature: Hakone’s largest onsen area with a lively atmosphere
  • 📍Google Map

2. Hakone Yuryo

Hakone Yuryo offers 19 private onsen bath rooms, with alkaline simple hot springs known as “beautiful skin springs” that are gentle on the skin, relieving fatigue with beautifying effects. If you’re looking for a more private onsen experience, this is definitely the place to go. The traditional folk house style creates a nostalgic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re experiencing a more traditional side of Japan.

  • Special feature: Day-trip offering private onsen experience
  • 📍Google Map

3. YUNESSUN

Yunessun is a onsen theme park divided into the authentic onsen “Motomi no Mori no Yu” and the swimsuit-required “YUNESSUN” area, featuring unique baths like wine baths and coffee baths. This is definitely one of the most unique onsen experiences you’ll find anywhere, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun it was to try the different themed baths while enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings.

  • Special feature: Unique theme onsen experience where you can enjoy onsen while taking in Hakone’s natural scenery
  • 📍Google Map

Where to stay in Hakone?

Best Hotels in Hakone

Odakyu Yamanoyado

Odakyu Yamanoyado is a 4-star hotel located in Hakone, Japan, offering 89 rooms. Built in 1947 and last renovated in 2010, this hotel ensures modern comfort and style in its rooms. It provides a luxurious resort environment and features an impressive golf course that adds to the overall experience of your stay.

Hakone Hotel

Hakone Hotel is a prestigious 4-star hotel located in Hakone, Japan. This hotel offers 48 rooms that will make you feel comfortable and relaxed during your travels. Last renovated in 2022, it maintains modern style and facilities while preserving the unique charm from when it was built in 1923. The blend of historical character and modern amenities makes this a perfect choice for travelers seeking both comfort and authenticity.

Best Ryokan in Hakone

富士屋飯店 (Fujiya Hotel)

Founded in 1878, Fujiya Hotel is a representative classic hotel in Hakone and Japan’s first orthodox resort inn. With over 140 years of history, the building retains a Japanese-Western fusion style, with some facilities designated as modern industrial heritage and national tangible cultural properties. When you’re looking for the most authentic and luxurious traditional Japanese accommodation experience, you can also find ryokan in other parts of Japan.

  • Price range: High-end, from ¥30,000-50,000 per night
  • 📍Google Map

季之湯 雪月花 (Shuki no Yu Setsugetsuka)

Located in an excellent location just about 1 minute walk from Gora Station, this elegant onsen ryokan features hinoki cypress open-air baths in all rooms. The attention to detail and traditional Japanese hospitality make this a truly special place to stay.

  • Price range: Mid-high range, from ¥25,000-40,000 per night
  • 📍Google Map

8 souvenirs and local products to buy in Hakone

Hakone is famous as a gift destination with a rich variety of local specialties, from traditional wagashi (Japanese confections) to modern products.

  1. Hakone Onsen Manju: This store with over 100 years of history offers white manju and brown sugar manju, with the brown sugar version containing specially made red bean filling that’s sweet but not cloying.
  2. Hakone Owakudani Black Eggs: These black boiled eggs are cooked in Owakudani onsen containing large amounts of sulfur and iron, and legend says eating one can extend your life by seven years.
  3. Hakone Koyagyu Manju: These manju are designed with a concept based on Hakone’s wild “koyagyu” (small wild boar), with moist skin and rich milk-flavored filling, with a shelf life of about four months.
  4. Hakone Meigashi Yuba Mochi: Made from shiratamako (rice flour) and protein, with a soft, chewy texture, filled with diced yokan (sweet bean jelly) and a subtle yuzu aroma.
  5. Suzuhiro Hakone Beer: Brewed with Hakone’s natural water, this beer has a refreshing and delicate taste with seasonal limited flavors.
  6. Soga Umebachi Plum Wine: Made with the famous “Shirakaga” plum variety, this Japanese plum wine has only 12% alcohol content and a refreshing taste without bitterness.
  7. GRANDE RIVIERE Hakone Bread Cracker: Made with a unique formula-mixed flour, with rich butter aroma and crispy texture.
  8. Tezukitang Aizome Senbei: Japanese soy sauce senbei (rice crackers) available as hot, freshly grilled senbei and gift boxes.

When is the best time to visit Hakone?

Spring (March to April)

Spring (late March to mid-April) is the perfect time for cherry blossom viewing, and Hakone’s cherry blossom season is particularly long due to the varied terrain and different cherry blossom varieties with varying blooming times. Hakone Shrine, Gora Park, and Sengokuhara are common cherry blossom viewing spots that will absolutely delight you with their beautiful pink displays.

Summer (June to July)

Summer (mid-June to early July) is the season for hydrangea viewing, and the Hakone Tozan Railway line features about 10,000 hydrangeas, with the “Hydrangea Tunnel” near Owakudani being most famous. Despite the heat, the lush greenery and colorful flowers create a beautiful landscape that’s worth experiencing.

Fall (September to November)

Autumn (late September to mid-November) is one of the best seasons to visit Hakone, where you can enjoy pampas grass and autumn foliage. Late October to mid-November is the best period for autumn leaf viewing, with the timing of color changes varying with altitude - higher areas’ autumn leaves change color earlier. The weather is stable during this time, giving you a great chance to see Mount Fuji in all its glory. I found this to be the most photogenic time to visit, with the changing colors creating absolutely stunning views. For more seasonal travel tips, check out our comprehensive Japan guide.

Winter (December to February)

Winter (late December to early February) offers beautiful snow scenery, with Gora, Sengokuhara, and Lake Ashi creating picturesque scenes like a painting. The onsen experience in the snow is especially romantic, and the snowy landscapes create a magical atmosphere that’s truly unique to this season.

Transportation options in Hakone

Hakone’s transportation system is incredibly convenient, offering multiple options including railways, buses, cable cars, and sightseeing boats. You can purchase the Hakone Free Pass to enjoy unlimited rides and sightseeing discounts.

  • Hakone Free Pass: The Hakone Free Pass allows unlimited rides on 8 types of Hakone transportation including the Hakone Tozan Railway, mountain buses, and aerial cable cars for 2 or 3 days. It also includes 1 ride on the Odakyu Line section train and discounts at about 70 attractions.
  • Hakone Tozan Railway from Odawara to Gora: The Hakone Tozan Railway connects Odawara Station to Gora Station, with about 10,000 hydrangeas along the route. In summer, it’s nicknamed the “Hydrangea Train.”
  • Hakone Ropeway connecting mountain stations: The Hakone Aerial Ropeway connects Sounzan Station and Tōgendai Station, about 4 kilometers long, offering views of Hakone’s mountains, Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji, and Sagami Bay.
  • Hakone Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Ashi: The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise operates on Lake Ashi, connecting Tōgendai Port, Hakone-machi Port, and Moto-Hakone Port. When weather permits, you can clearly see Mount Fuji.

⭐Get Hakone 2 Days Free Pass for $46.1 USD⭐

Final Thoughts

Hakone perfectly combines natural beauty, rich culture, and relaxing onsen to create an unforgettable Japanese experience that will stay with you long after you return home. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, cultural immersion, or natural wonders, this incredible destination offers something truly special for every traveler. If you enjoyed this guide, you’ll also love exploring other articles about Japan’s most beautiful destinations including Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka that showcase the country’s incredible diversity and charm.