Top 5 Things to do in Hakone

@Japan Guide

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Explore Hakone, a popular weekend escape from Tokyo, known for its onsen, natural beauty, museums, and iconic views of Mount Fuji. This guide covers five must-do activities, from open-air art to historic checkpoints and serene lake cruises.

15 places · 2 experiences

1
Hakone Open Air Museum
Sculpture museum · Hakone
4.5 (1,285)Closed · opens Tuesday 9 AM
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An expansive museum where large sculptures are dotted across pristine grounds, offering an appealing balance of art and natural beauty with views of the surrounding Hakone mountains. It features multiple indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, including the Picasso Exhibition Hall and the Symphonic Sculpture. The grounds also have shops, cafes, and a foot bath.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum, 1121 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0493, Japan
- Picasso Exhibition Hall — One of the largest collections of Pablo Picasso's works in the world, displayed across two floors and containing over 300 paintings, sculptures, and ceramic pieces by the famous artist.
- Symphonic Sculpture — A large stained-glass tower that visitors can enter and climb, offering a unique view from the top.
2
Hakone Shrine
Shinto shrine · Hakone
4.4 (19,913)Closed
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A highly recognizable shrine located at the foot of Mount Hakone, on the edge of Lake Ashinoko, famous for its large torii gate standing in the water. Paths lined with traditional red lanterns lead from the shore into the dense forest where the main shrine buildings are located. The complex includes several other torii gates and a smaller shrine dedicated to the legendary 9-headed dragon Kuzuryu.
Hakone Shrine, 80-1 Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
3
Kuzuryu Shrine
Shinto shrine · Hakone
4.5 (625)Closed
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A smaller shrine within the Hakone Shrine complex, dedicated to the legendary 9-headed dragon Kuzuryu.
Kuzuryu Shrine Shingu, 80-1 Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
4
Komagatake Ropeway
transport
5
Hakone Checkpoint
Museum · Hakone
3.9 (52)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Edo-era military checkpoint featuring soldiers' quarters, a lookout, a tea room & more.
Hakone Sekisho, 1番地 Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0521, Japan
6
Old Tokaido Road
hiking-trail
7
Amazake Chaya
Tea house · Hakone
4.5Closed · opens Tuesday 7 AM
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A traditional Japanese tea house that has been welcoming visitors since the Edo era, located along the preserved section of the Old Tokaido Road between Moto-Hakone and Hatajuku.
Japan, 〒250-0314 Kanagawa, Ashigarashimo District, Hakone, Hatajuku, Hakone Amazake Tea House, 二子山 395-28
Experience · 1 place
Soak in Hakone's Natural Onsen
Hakone is a volcanic mountain with ongoing hydrothermal activity, resulting in an astonishing seventeen natural onsen. You can enjoy these waters at a public bath house or at one of the many ryokan. If you're staying at an inn, you'll get unlimited access to their pools. Many ryokan also welcome daytime visitors for an admission fee. For a prime example, check out Hakone Yuryo, which offers pleasant views of the surrounding forest while you soak. It has gender-separated public areas with various pools, plus a large selection of private baths for families or couples. Beyond bathing, explore onsen towns like Hakone Yumoto for quaint shops and eateries.
8
Owakudani
Tourist attraction · Hakone
4.4 (23,209)Open · until 4:20 PM
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An area on Mount Hakone known for its ongoing hydrothermal activity, such as hissing steam vents, which can be observed particularly well from the Hakone Ropeway.
Owakudani, Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan
9
Hakone Onsen
hot-springs
Hakone Onsen, or Hakone Hot Springs, is a general term for numerous thermal spas located in the town of Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, an area formerly known as Sagami Province.
Hakone Onsen, Kanagawa, Japan
10
Hakone Yuryo
Day-use onsen · Hakone
4.3 (191)Closed · opens Tuesday 10 AM
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An excellent bath complex that provides bathers with pleasant views of the surrounding forest while they soak. It features gender-separated public areas with a variety of pools, as well as a large selection of private baths for families or couples.
Hakone Yuryo, 4 Tonosawa, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0315, Japan
11
Hakone Yumoto
Train station · Hakone
4.2 (1,472)
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One of the onsen towns in the Hakone region, typically featuring a variety of quaint shops and eateries, making it a pleasant place to explore beyond just bathing.
Hakone-Yumoto Station, Yumoto, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0311, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Cruise Lake Ashinoko for Fuji Views
Lake Ashinoko, a caldera lake formed 3000 years ago, offers some of the area's best views of Mt. Fuji and represents the peak of Hakone’s natural grandeur. The most famous view is from Moto-Hakone, a small port town on the south-east side of the lake, which caters to tourists with lakeside hotels, restaurants, and hot springs. You can also tour the lake by taking a sightseeing cruise. Companies like Hakone Sightseeing Boats offer tours on pirate ship-like vessels, which are covered by the Hakone Free Pass. Remember, Mount Fuji isn't always visible; your best chances are during colder months, and in the early morning or evening hours.
12
Moto-Hakone
Hakone
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A small port town on the south-east side of Lake Ashinoko, known for offering the most famous views of Mount Fuji across the lake. It caters to tourists with lakeside hotels, restaurants, and hot springs.
Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
13
Lake Ashinoko
Lake · Hakone
4.4
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A caldera lake formed 3000 years ago by an eruption, offering some of Hakone's best views of Mount Fuji and representing the area's natural grandeur. It's a popular spot for sightseeing cruises.
Lake Ashi, Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
14
Hakone Detached Palace
Historical landmark · Hakone
4.1 (192)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Kohantenbokan (Lakeside Panorama Hall), 171 Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
15
Hakone Sightseeing Boats
Ferry service · Hakone
4.3
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A company offering boat tours on Lake Ashinoko, known for their distinctive pirate ship-like vessels. These tours are covered by the Hakone Free Pass.
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, 161 Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0521, Japan