Hakone

Province ·🇯🇵 Japan

Population 10,925

Area 93 km²

Time zone Asia/Tokyo

Official website www.town.hakone.kanagawa.jp

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Explore Hakone

Hakone's Essential Treasures

Hakone's landscape is defined by volcanic activity and historical transit routes. The area features the 8th-century Hakone Shrine and the reconstructed Edo-period Hakone Checkpoint. Cultural sites range from the Hakone Open-Air Museum's sculpture gardens to the Pola Museum’s Impressionist collection. Natural landmarks include the active sulfur vents of Owakudani and Lake Ashi, which can be explored via sightseeing cruises or the Hakone Ropeway system. For relaxation, the region offers the Yunessun thermal spa and the Venetian-style Glass no Mori gardens.

11 places

Editor's Choice Hakone

Hakone's cultural landscape features Japan's first open-air museum with large-scale sculptures and the Pola Museum of Art, which houses Impressionist works within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The Italian-inspired Glass no Mori showcases Venetian glassware amidst landscaped gardens. For geological interest, the volcanic valley of Owakudani offers active sulfur vents and views of Mount Fuji. The area also includes Yunessun, a themed hot spring resort featuring unique coffee and wine baths alongside traditional thermal pools.

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Hakone Shrines and Temples

Hakone’s spiritual landscape is defined by its integration with the natural environment, particularly around Lake Ashi and Mount Hakone. This selection includes the historic Hakone Shrine, established in 757, and Sounji Temple, the family temple of the influential Hojo clan. Notable features across these sites include the Gohyaku Rakan statues at Choanji, the dragon-deity worship at Kuzuryu Shrine, and the mountaintop Mototsumi shrine at the summit of Mount Komagatake.

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Hakone Viewpoints and Nature

Hakone's landscape is defined by the volcanic activity of Mount Hakone, centered around the caldera lake, Ashi. This collection features the Hakone and Komagatake ropeways, which provide aerial views of the Owakudani volcanic valley and Mount Fuji. Natural highlights include the Sengokubara pampas grass fields, the multi-tiered Hiryu Falls, and several peaks like Myojingatake and Marudake. Historical viewpoints such as the Lakeside Observation Building and Onshi Hakone Park offer perspectives of the lake from former imperial grounds.

16 places

Hakone's Art Museums

Hakone’s cultural landscape blends natural beauty with diverse artistic traditions. This collection includes Japan’s first open-air museum, featuring large-scale sculptures, and the Pola Museum of Art, known for its Impressionist masterpieces. Visitors can explore Venetian glass at Glass no Mori, traditional Nihonga paintings overlooking Lake Ashi at the Narukawa Museum, and ancient East Asian ceramics at the Hakone Museum of Art. The selection is completed by the extensive private collections of the Okada Museum and the historic religious artifacts preserved at Hakone Shrine.

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Hakone Hot Springs & Baths

Hakone's geothermal activity powers a diverse range of hot springs, from historic Meiji-era ryokans to modern day-trip facilities. This selection includes Tenzan Tohigyo, known for its traditional architecture and alkaline waters, and Fukuzumiro, a registered Tangible Cultural Property. Visitors can choose between large rooftop baths at Tenseien, private forest-view tubs at Hakone Yuryo, or quiet local community bathhouses like Miyagino Onsen Kaikan. Many facilities utilize the region's diverse spring types, including sodium chloride and simple thermal waters.

16 places

Hakone Ropeway Scenic Views

The Hakone Ropeway network provides aerial access to the region's volcanic landscapes and panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. This list highlights key transit points, including the main Hakone Ropeway passing over the active sulfur vents of Owakudani and the separate Komagatake Ropeway. These lines connect major attractions like the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise terminal at Tougendai and the high-altitude Hakone Mototsumi Shrine located at the summit of Mount Komagatake.

5 places