What to Do in Hakone: Best 10 Things You Shouldn't Miss

Hakone is often included in trips to Japan. Besides its natural beauty, there's so much to explore, such as onsens (hot springs), views of Mount Fuji, unique themed museums, and serene shrines. Hakone would exceed your expectations!

With abundant things to do in Hakone, we know it could be a challenge to choose what to do on your trip. In this article, we've selected the best 10 things in Hakone based on our experiences, helping you to decide more easily.

1. Relax in an Onsen in Hakone-Yumoto

Hakone is famous for its onsens (hot springs). The onsens in Hakone have a long history and the water quality is excellent, resulting in Hakone having one of the top three onsens in Japan. It's authentic to experience an onsen at a hotel/ryokan.

Most hotels/ryokans in Hakone have onsens. For a more private experience, opting for a room with a private onsen is recommended. However, these rooms are limited, difficult to secure, and expensive. It is advisable to book them at least 6 months in advance or even earlier. Check out Hakone Suimeisou for a room with a private onsen.

If you can't get a room with a private onsen, choose a hotel/ryokan where you could book some private onsen time instead. These types of accommodation are easier to book and the prices are reasonable. Just book your own private bath time with the hotel after checking in. Yoshiike Ryokan offers private bath times.

If you want to enjoy a public onsen with almost no one around, try to soak in the onsen before 8am or after 9–10pm. During our trip to Hakone, we soaked in an onsen at 9pm and had the place to ourselves, like having a private onsen. Our male friend soaked in an onsen before 8am and there was also no one else there.

2. Enjoy the Scenery of Mount Fuji

Hakone is one of the places frequently mentioned to see Mount Fuji. The popular place to view it is at Lake Ashi. However, Hakone is mountainous with plenty of cloudy days, often hiding Mount Fuji.

For a clear view of Mount Fuji in Hakone, the best time is from December to February when there are fewer cloudy days, especially in January and February.

Avoid viewing Mount Fuji in Hakone from June to August as clouds often obscure it. During our visit to Hakone in June, we couldn't see Mount Fuji at all during our 2-day stay there.

If you want a higher chance of viewing Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi is a better choice. Read our article on How to Plan a Mount Fuji Trip for more inspiration.

3. Explore Owakudani via a Nature Trail

Owakudani is a crater that continues to emit sulfur gas. Instead of taking the regular ropeway to enjoy the view, you could explore a special nature trail with a professional guide to get a closer look at the crater.

Along this 30–40-minute trail, you could get insights into Owakudani, watch the process of making black onsen eggs, explore emergency shelters, see dead trees affected by sulfur gas up close, and catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji if you're lucky.

Exploring this nature trail is very safe because volcanic gases are monitored around the clock and experts keep an eye on volcanic activity. We suggest you make your reservation a month in advance as the tour only runs four times a day with a limit of 30 people per session.

Are you ready to plan your Hakone trip? Read our Hakone Travel Guide to get more inspiration.

4. Hike Part of the Ancient Hakone Hachiri

The Hakone Hachiri was built during the Edo period as a crucial route connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. Covering a distance of (32 km) 20 miles, select a section of the hike based on your strength. To prevent exhaustion, hiking for 1–2 hours is ideal. We opted for a 1-hour hike, which was relatively easy as most of the trail is flat.

It's suitable for travelers who love nature and culture. You could breathe in the fresh mountain air, admire ancient cedars, stroll along the ancient flagging, pass through historical temples, and enjoy snacks and matcha at a local tea house.

5. Take a Sightseeing Cruise to Admire Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi is a volcanic lake surrounded by mountains, offering seasonal scenery along its banks. It is especially charming from late October to November when the leaves turn red.

The exclusive thing about this experience is that the sightseeing cruise you take is a replica pirate ship, which is rarely found in other places in Japan.

On very clear days, usually from December to February, you could even see Mount Fuji from the cruise.

Check out our most-chosen 9-Day Japan tour that includes Hakone.

6. Discover the Hakone Open-Air Museum

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is one of the biggest outdoor art museums in Japan, featuring both outdoor and indoor sections. With an abundant variety of artworks, it is the top museum recommendation in Hakone.

The outdoor section is purely sculptures that blend well with nature. It's perfect for families with kids as these sculptures look interesting. The indoor section is usually filled with paintings, with the most popular being the Picasso exhibition hall.

7. View Hakone Shrine's Torii Gate

If you're looking to experience a serene shrine in Hakone, Hakone Shrine is the perfect choice. It is surrounded by forests that enhance its mysterious atmosphere, especially on foggy days.

The giant orange-red torii gate at Hakone Shrine is one of the most famous attractions in Hakone. You could take pictures under the floating gate. However, you may encounter a long line in the afternoon, possibly waiting for an hour to take pictures.

To reduce your wait time or avoid waiting altogether, you're advised to make the shrine your first stop during your Hakone trip (be sure to arrive at about 9–10am).

Don't know how to schedule your Japan trip? Read our 9-Day Japan Highlights Tour Including Hakone Leisure.

8. Take the Hakone Tozan Railway

The Hakone Tozan Railway is Japan's oldest mountain railway with a steep slope. You could reach Hakone's major attractions while enjoying forests, valleys, and mountains along the way. The scenery is particularly stunning in June when hydrangeas bloom.

The part from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora comes highly recommended. The most attractive views are along this 40-minute railway journey. Plus, you could transfer to the cable car to reach Owakudani.

Riding in a train along the Hakone Tozan Railway is one of our favorite experiences in Hakone. We took the Hakone-Yumoto to Gora route in June, so we were lucky enough to see the beautiful hydrangeas along the railway line. We felt it was definitely worth spending an afternoon on the train.

9. Explore Pola Museum of Art

Located in a national park in Hakone, Pola Museum of Art offers a special experience where you could explore both the primary forest and artworks in a single place.

The museum's collection focuses mainly on Western paintings, featuring masterpieces by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and others. One of Monet's Water Lilies is also on display.

Besides the artwork, the forest path around the museum is a gem. The path showcases some sculptures, and it's filled with birdsong and the sound of flutes, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

If you prefer a quieter and less crowded museum, Pola Museum of Art is better. Compared to it, the Hakone Open-Air Museum attracts more visitors.

10. Immerse Yourself in the Atmosphere at Choanji Temple

Choanji Temple in Hakone is a hidden gem with fewer tourists, allowing you to experience an incredibly peaceful atmosphere. The temple is charming in autumn when the leaves turn red.

Although Japan has numerous temples, we still suggest that you make a short visit to Choanji Temple for the unique sight it offers — 500 Rakan Buddhas of various sizes, shapes, and expressions scattered across the hill behind the temple.

During our visit to Choanji Temple, we felt another attitude toward religion. It brought a more childlike and interesting vibe to the traditional solemn sense.

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