♨️ Kanagawa, Japan (near Tokyo)
Things to do in Hakone
Hot springs, lake views and Mount Fuji on the horizon
A favourite for honeymoons
Hakone is a mountain hot-spring resort in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the classic onsen escape from Tokyo. A loop of quirky transport — mountain railway, cable car, ropeway and a pirate-ship lake cruise — links volcanic valleys, an open-air art museum and, on clear days, picture-perfect views of Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi.
A private onsen, a ryokan dinner and Mount Fuji over the lake — serene and romantic.
Time needed
1–2 days (an overnight onsen stay is the classic way)
Best time
Autumn foliage and clear, snowy winter days are spectacular; spring is lovely too
Region
Kanagawa, Japan (near Tokyo)
Don’t miss
The Hakone loop & an onsen stay
Ride the scenic loop — the Hakone Tozan railway, the ropeway over the steaming Owakudani valley, and the Lake Ashi “pirate ship” — then soak in an onsen (many ryokan have private baths). The Hakone Free Pass covers the whole circuit.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Hakone
- Owakudani volcanic valley — sulphur vents and black eggs boiled in the springs.Find tours
- The Hakone Open-Air Museum, sculpture among the mountains.Find tours
- The red torii gate of Hakone Shrine rising from Lake Ashi.Find tours
- Soak in a hot spring with Mount Fuji views.Find tours
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See all Hakone experiences on GetYourGuideWhere to stay near Hakone
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How to get to Hakone
About 85 minutes from Tokyo (Shinjuku) on the Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto, or via the shinkansen to Odawara. The Hakone Free Pass bundles the train, ropeway, cable car and lake cruise.
Hire a car in Tokyo
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Best time to visit
Autumn foliage and clear, snowy winter days are spectacular; spring is lovely too. Mount Fuji often hides behind cloud — crisp, cloudless mornings give the best chance of seeing it.
Hakone tips
- Get the Hakone Free Pass — it covers the whole loop of trains, ropeway and boat.
- Mount Fuji is shy — your best chance of a clear view is early on a crisp, cloudless morning.
- An overnight in a ryokan with a private onsen is the quintessential Hakone experience.
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