Hakone: Hot Springs, Art, and the Four Seasons at the Foot of Mt. Fuji
- 768miramar
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 23
Tokyo's must-visit healing getaway
Just 90 minutes from Tokyo lies a land that feels touched by the gods—Hakone. Volcanic energy has gifted it with countless hot springs, Lake Ashi reflects the snowcapped peak of Mt. Fuji, samurai-era checkpoints whisper tales of the past, and hidden museums in the forest showcase seasonal beauty. More than just Tokyo’s backyard retreat, Hakone is a sanctuary where nature and culture intertwine, inviting you to slow down and truly breathe.
Hakone Highlights: Mt. Fuji Views, Volcanic Wonders, and Artistic Escapes
1. Chasing Mt. Fuji: Your Best Viewing SpotsHakone offers some of the most iconic views of Mt. Fuji. Besides the classic sightseeing boat on Lake Ashi or the scenic ropeway, there are secret perspectives worth seeking:
Narukawa Art Museum – A favorite of photographers. With floor-to-ceiling windows framing Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji, it feels like walking into a living painting. The museum’s collection of modern Japanese paintings adds to the serene atmosphere.
2. Owakudani: Where the Earth BreathesStep into an active volcanic zone. The air is thick with the scent of sulfur, and steam vents hiss beside your feet. Don’t miss trying the famous black eggs (Kuro-Tamago) boiled in the hot springs. Legend says each one you eat adds seven years to your life.
3. Art Lovers' Paradise: Hakone's Three Premier Museums
The Hakone Open-Air Museum – Home to Picasso’s works and sprawling outdoor sculptures. Don’t miss the café with footbaths.
Pola Museum of Art – A glass building in the woods holding Monet’s Water Lilies, where autumn leaves and Mt. Fuji peek through the windows.
Venetian Glass Museum – Shimmering with antique glass under sunlight, set in a European-style garden that feels like a time slip to the Renaissance.
4. Lake Ashi Pirate Ship CruiseSailing across Lake Ashi on a grand, pirate-themed vessel is one of Hakone’s most beloved experiences. From the deck you’ll see Mt. Fuji, the floating torii of Hakone Shrine, and the lush surrounding mountains—a perfect blend of nature and nostalgia.
5. Hakone Checkpoint (Sekisho)Step back into the Edo era at the restored Hakone Checkpoint, once a critical inspection post along the Tokaido highway between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. The reconstructed guardhouses and exhibitions reveal the journeys and hardships of travelers from 400 years ago.
6. Chisuji FallsA tranquil spot near Kowakidani, this delicate waterfall trickles like white threads through mossy rocks and dense forest. It’s a peaceful counterpoint to the volcanic energy of Owakudani, perfect for a quiet stroll.
For Onsen Lovers: 7 Unique Hot Spring Experiences
What makes Hakone’s hot springs irresistible is their diversity—from traditional inns to quirky themed spas, there’s something for every kind of bather.
Classic Ryokan Soaks
Ichinoyu Honkan, Tounosawa – A 300-year-old inn offering open-air wooden baths beside a waterfall, evoking Edo-era nostalgia.
Gora Kadan – A top-tier Japanese inn where private baths overlook bamboo groves, paired with exquisite multi-course kaiseki dinners.
Art-Inspired Baths
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun – Soak in red wine, green tea, or even curry (just for show!). A playful take on bathing culture.
Hot Spring at The Open-Air Museum – Bathe surrounded by art under open skies—it’s reflective in more ways than one.
Hidden Gems
Yamano Hotel, Sengokuhara – In autumn, soak with golden pampas grass waving just outside, like a scene from a Ghibli film.
Ubako Onsen Yumotokan – One of the few remaining mixed-gender hot springs in Hakone, offering a traditional (and modest) cultural experience.
Getting Around: Hakone Freepass or Driving?
Best pick: Hakone FreepassFor ¥6,100 (2-day pass), you get round-trip transport from Shinjuku and unlimited rides on 8 local transport lines!
Must-try routes include:
Hakone Tozan Train – A zigzagging rail climb with a 48° gradient; the conductor hops off to switch tracks manually!
Hakone Ropeway – From Sounzan to Togendai, soar over Owakudani’s sulfur plumes with Mt. Fuji as your backdrop.
Sightseeing Pirate Ship – A whimsical cruise on Lake Ashi, with unbeatable Fuji views from the deck.
Thinking of Driving? Be aware:
Roads are narrow and winding—snow tires are required in winter.
Best to exit the highway at Gotenba IC—convenient if you want to shop at the Gotenba Premium Outlets along the way.
Hakone Food Finds: From Black Eggs to Historic Bento
1. Local comfort food favorites
Touge no Kamameshi – A warm rice dish with grilled chicken, served in a ceramic pot. Best enjoyed aboard the scenic train.
Yuba Don (Tofu Skin Rice Bowl) – Gora’s “Hatsuhana Soba” serves freshly made yuba—delicate and creamy, delicious with soy sauce or wasabi.
2. Taste of the Past
Hakone Checkpoint Bento – Bamboo tube-packed meals at “Marujimaya” recreate what Edo-era travelers once ate: pickled veggies, grilled fish—humble, but full of heart.
Sake Tasting – Try “Hakoneyama Gaku” sake from Hakone Brewery, made with Mt. Fuji’s pristine spring water. Crisp and clean like a mountain stream.
When to Visit Hakone: A Journey Through the Seasons
Spring (Mar–May)
Cherry blossom tunnels in Gora Park
Illuminated moss gardens at Hakone Museum of Art
Quiet trails for reflective travelers
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Lake Ashi Fireworks Festival
Iris fields in Sengokuhara Wetlands
Cool escape at the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Rolling silver pampas in Sengokuhara
Fiery foliage corridors at the Open-Air Museum
Gora’s crimson maple tunnels—breathtaking
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Snowy open-air hot springs
Morning mirror views of Mt. Fuji on Lake Ashi
Sipping warm sake as flakes fall silently
Souvenirs to Bring Hakone Home
Yosegi Zaiku (Marquetry Boxes) – Intricately patterned puzzle boxes from Odawara’s “Yoshikawa Kubo Shop.”
Onsen Manju (Hot Spring Steamed Buns) – Brown sugar dough with sweet red bean filling, best when steamed fresh at “Yoshiya Main Store” in Yumoto.
Volcanic Rock Accessories – Sulfur stone bracelets from Owakudani, believed to cleanse negative energy (but beware the lingering sulfur scent!).
Travel Tips Before You Go
Mt. Fuji Visibility: Best chances are winter mornings > autumn > spring > summer. Check the “Fujimi Forecast” site before heading out.
Onsen Etiquette: Tattoos? Book a private bath. Always shower before entering shared baths.
Avoid the Crowds: Weekends and Japan’s holiday seasons are packed—go on weekdays and start early.
What Hakone Teaches Us—That Slow is the Essence of Travel
In this fast-spinning world, Hakone moves at its own pace.A ryokan hostess hands you warm tea with a smile. The mountain train climbs quietly, switchbacking at 48 degrees. A pirate ship glides across Lake Ashi through morning mist.
When you finally soak in an open-air bath, watching Mt. Fuji slowly turn gold in the sunset, you’ll understand—Some views are worth spending the whole day waiting for.
Hakone. next time!!
Two Days tour From Tokyo to Hakone and Ichinoyu Onsen Ryokan, Booking from GetYouGuide By Miramar
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