Japan travel professional with 15+ years of industry experience, including senior roles at major Japanese travel companies and media. Every recommendation in this guide is based on firsthand knowledge. We are never paid directly by hotels to feature them.
Just 90 minutes from Tokyo by train, Hakone punches well above its weight. Within a compact mountain resort area, you get sweeping views of Mt. Fuji, authentic hot spring baths, world-class art museums, a crater-scarred active volcano, and one of Japan’s most photographed shrines — all without leaving the Kanagawa Prefecture. I’ve been sending travelers to Hakone for over 15 years, and it consistently delivers. This guide covers the must-dos, the hidden gems most tourists walk right past, and the honest practical tips you won’t find on a generic travel site.
> Quick Picks
> – 🏆 Must-do: Hakone Ropeway + Owakudani
> – 🎨 Best for art lovers: Hakone Open Air Museum
> – ⛩️ Most scenic: Hakone Shrine & Lake Ashi
> – 🛁 Best onsen experience: Hakone Yuryo (day use)
Top Things to Do in Hakone
1. Hakone Ropeway & Owakudani
Owakudani is Hakone’s most dramatic attraction — a volcanic crater belching sulfur steam from vents in the hillside, the result of an eruption roughly 3,000 years ago. The Hakone Ropeway carries you over this otherworldly landscape in gondola cars, with jaw-dropping aerial views of the steaming valley and, on clear days, a postcard-perfect frame of Mt. Fuji to the west. At the Owakudani station midpoint, you can pick up the area’s famous *kuro-tamago* (black eggs boiled in the sulfurous hot spring water) — legend says each one adds seven years to your life.
Plan for about 2 hours total for the ropeway and a walk around Owakudani. The best light for Mt. Fuji is early morning, before cloud build-up; aim to be at the ropeway by 9–10am. Booking ahead is strongly recommended in peak season.
Book skip-the-line tickets on Klook
> ⚠️ Honest note: This is Hakone’s most popular single attraction, and queues can be brutal on weekends and holidays. The ropeway also closes periodically when volcanic activity spikes — always check the official Hakone Ropeway website before making this the centerpiece of your day. If it’s closed, pivot to the Open Air Museum or Lake Ashi instead.
2. Hakone Open Air Museum (野外美術館)
The Hakone Open Air Museum — *Chokoku-no-Mori Bijutsukan* in Japanese — is one of Japan’s finest museums, and it happens to be outdoors. Set across 70,000 square meters of manicured grounds, the museum integrates over 120 sculptures into the natural landscape, with the Hakone mountains as a backdrop. Works by Rodin, Henry Moore, and Miro sit alongside Japanese contemporary artists in a setting that feels more like a walk in an extraordinary garden than a trip to a gallery.
The Picasso Pavilion is a highlight within the museum — over 300 works by Picasso housed indoors, offering a striking contrast to the open-air format. Don’t miss the onsen foot bath tucked into the grounds: soaking your feet in real hot spring water mid-museum visit is a distinctly Hakone experience. Budget 2–3 hours. The museum is a 2-minute walk from Chokoku-no-Mori station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, which makes it extremely easy to combine with a railway ride.
Admission: ¥1,600 (approx. $11).
3. Lake Ashi Cruise & Hakone Shrine
Lake Ashi (*Ashinoko*) is the scenic heart of Hakone — a caldera lake with Mt. Fuji reflected in its waters on clear days and the forested Hakone mountains rising from its shores. The most enjoyable way to experience it is via the pirate ship cruise (yes, they’re actual full-scale replica galleons), which crosses the lake in about 30 minutes between Togendai, Moto-Hakone, and Hakone-machi ports. It’s included in the Hakone Free Pass and genuinely fun — not just tourist filler.
From Moto-Hakone port, it’s a short walk to Hakone Shrine (*Hakone Jinja*), one of the most atmospheric Shinto shrines in the Kanto region. The approach winds through a towering cedar forest, creating a sense of entering another world. The lakeside torii gate — standing in the water at the lake’s edge — is one of the most photographed spots in all of Hakone, and worth the visit even with fellow travelers around. Combine the cruise and the shrine visit in 2–3 hours comfortably.
Book Lake Ashi Cruise on Klook
> ⚠️ Honest note: On overcast days (which are frequent), Mt. Fuji may not be visible from the lake. Don’t build your entire trip around a Fuji reflection photo — treat it as a bonus. The shrine and cruise are worth it regardless.
4. Hakone Tozan Railway (Mountain Railway)
The Hakone Tozan Railway is Japan’s steepest mountain railway, climbing from Hakone-Yumoto up to Gora through a series of switchbacks — the train reverses direction three times on the ascent. It’s genuinely impressive engineering, and the ride itself is part of the Hakone experience rather than just transport. In late June and July, the hillsides along the line explode in hydrangea blooms — purples, blues, and whites — making this one of the most underrated seasonal experiences in the greater Tokyo area.
The railway is included in the Hakone Free Pass, and it connects most of the main attractions: the Open Air Museum (Chokoku-no-Mori station), Gora (for onsen), and Hakone-Yumoto (the main transit hub). Ride it at least once in each direction — the views are different going up versus coming down.
5. Hakone Yuryo (Day-Use Onsen)
If you’re not staying at a ryokan, Hakone Yuryo is the best day-use onsen option in the area. Located near Gora — easily reached from the Tozan Railway — it offers indoor and outdoor baths fed by genuine natural hot spring water, in an elegant, traditionally-styled environment that doesn’t feel rushed or overcrowded like some tourist-facing facilities. The outdoor rotenburo baths set among trees are particularly good.
One feature that sets Hakone Yuryo apart: private *kashikiri* baths (fully enclosed, reserved for your group only) are available to book in advance. These are ideal for couples, families with small children, or anyone who isn’t comfortable with the communal bathing culture. Prices for private baths start around ¥5,000–8,000 ($33–53) for 45 minutes, depending on the type. Book well ahead — they fill up. General admission for public baths is approximately ¥1,500 ($10) per person.
6. Old Tokaido Road (旧東海道)
This is the hidden gem most first-time visitors to Hakone skip entirely — and that’s exactly why you should do it. The Old Tokaido Road is a section of the ancient highway that connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) with Kyoto during the Edo period, and the Hakone stretch is one of the best-preserved sections in Japan. The path is paved in original stone, flanked by towering cryptomeria cedar trees that are several centuries old, and almost completely free of crowds.
The most walkable section runs between Moto-Hakone and Amazake-chaya teahouse — about 2 km each way, taking 30–60 minutes depending on pace. It’s free, it’s flat enough for most fitness levels, and it gives you a genuine sense of what pre-industrial Japan looked like. The old teahouse at the end has been serving travelers since the 1600s and still sells *amazake* (sweet fermented rice drink) and *mochi* — stop in. This walk pairs perfectly with the Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine visit, as both are in the same Moto-Hakone area.
7. Pola Museum of Art (Optional)
Located in the Sengokuhara area — a slightly longer trip from central Hakone — the Pola Museum of Art is a serious art museum housed in a building that’s partially embedded in the forested hillside. The collection is exceptional: Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and a strong selection of Japanese modern art, all displayed in a building that uses natural light and forest views as design elements.
This one’s optional for a reason — it takes meaningful extra time to reach if you’re on a tight itinerary, and the ¥1,900 ($13) admission means it’s a deliberate choice rather than a casual add-on. But for art lovers who’ve already seen the Open Air Museum, or who are on a 2-day visit, it’s well worth it. The surrounding Sengokuhara area also has good cafes and the famous *susuki* pampas grass fields (beautiful in autumn).
Hakone Itinerary Ideas
1-Day Hakone Itinerary
A day trip to Hakone is absolutely doable from Tokyo — just move efficiently.
- Morning (9am): Head straight to the Hakone Ropeway. Take the gondola over Owakudani, try a black egg, soak in the views. Get there early to beat queues and maximize your chances of clear Mt. Fuji views.
- Afternoon (12–3pm): Make your way to Togendai and board the Lake Ashi pirate ship cruise to Moto-Hakone. Walk through the cedar forest to Hakone Shrine, see the lakeside torii gate. If time permits, do the short Old Tokaido Road walk — it’s right there.
- Evening (4–6pm): Head to Hakone Yuryo for a day-use soak before catching the train back to Tokyo. You’ll arrive at Tokyo Station by 8–9pm.
> Pro tip: Buy the Hakone Free Pass before you leave Tokyo — it covers the Ropeway, cruise, Tozan Railway, and most buses, and pays for itself almost immediately.
2-Day Hakone Itinerary
Two days is the sweet spot for Hakone. You get to see everything at a pace that actually lets you enjoy it.
Day 1:
- Morning: Hakone Ropeway + Owakudani (arrive early)
- Midday: Lunch in Gora area
- Afternoon: Hakone Open Air Museum (2–3 hours), ride the Tozan Railway up and back
- Evening: Check into your ryokan, enjoy kaiseki dinner and private onsen
Day 2:
- Morning: Lake Ashi Cruise + Hakone Shrine
- Midday: Old Tokaido Road walk, lunch at Amazake-chaya
- Afternoon: Pola Museum of Art (optional) or leisure time before heading back to Tokyo
How to Get to Hakone from Tokyo
The easiest route is the Romancecar limited express train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto — about 85 minutes, no transfers, and far more comfortable than a regular express. From there, the Hakone Tozan Railway connects you to the main attractions.
The Hakone Free Pass (available from Odakyu Travel offices at Shinjuku or Odawara) is your best friend: it covers the Romancecar, Tozan Railway, Ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, and most local buses for 2 or 3 days. Budget around ¥5,000–6,000 ($33–40) for the 2-day pass including Romancecar.
Full access guide → (guide coming soon)
Best Time to Visit Hakone
Hakone is a year-round destination — each season has a legitimate reason to visit:
- Spring (late March – early May): Cherry blossoms frame the mountain scenery beautifully, and spring tends to bring some of the clearest views of Mt. Fuji. This is peak season for a reason.
- Early Summer / Rainy Season (June – July): Most tourists avoid this period. Don’t. The hydrangeas along the Tozan Railway are stunning in mid-June to mid-July, and the misty, moody atmosphere gives Hakone a completely different character. Fewer crowds, lower prices.
- Autumn (mid-October – late November): Autumn foliage (*koyo*) turns the mountains red, orange, and gold. Views can be spectacular. Lake Ashi with colored foliage reflected in the water is genuinely one of the most beautiful scenes in Japan.
- Winter (December – February): The quietest season, and the one with the highest probability of clear Mt. Fuji views. Cold, but manageable — and the onsen feel extra luxurious when there’s a chill in the air. Hakone in snow is quietly magical.
> ⚠️ Avoid: Golden Week (late April – early May) and peak autumn weekends (late October – early November). Queues, crowds, and accommodation prices all spike dramatically. If you have no choice but to visit then, book everything well in advance and get an early start on each day.
FAQ
Is Hakone worth visiting?
Yes — consistently one of the best day trips or short breaks from Tokyo, and with good reason. The combination of active volcanic scenery, hot springs, world-class art, and Mt. Fuji views within 90 minutes of central Tokyo is genuinely hard to beat anywhere in Japan. It’s popular because it delivers.
How many days do you need in Hakone?
One full day is enough to see the highlights — Ropeway, Lake Ashi, and Hakone Shrine — if you move efficiently. Two days is better: it lets you add the Open Air Museum, do an onsen properly, and walk the Old Tokaido Road without feeling rushed. Three days is ideal if you’re staying at a ryokan and want a fully relaxed pace, but most travelers won’t need more than that.
Can you do Hakone as a day trip from Tokyo?
Absolutely. The Romancecar from Shinjuku gets you to Hakone-Yumoto in about 85 minutes, and the Hakone Free Pass covers all transport within the area. Leave Tokyo by 8am and you can comfortably cover the Ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, Hakone Shrine, and still squeeze in a day-use onsen before heading back. It’s one of the most efficient day trips from Tokyo.
What is the Hakone Free Pass and is it worth it?
The Hakone Free Pass is a 2 or 3-day unlimited transport pass covering the Hakone Tozan Railway, Ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, Sounzan Cable Car, and most local buses within Hakone, plus a discounted Romancecar (limited express) from Shinjuku. The 2-day pass costs around ¥5,000–6,000 ($33–40) including the Romancecar. If you’re doing more than one or two attractions, it almost certainly pays for itself. For a full day trip covering the Ropeway, cruise, and Tozan Railway, it’s an easy yes.
Does Hakone have an onsen?
Hakone is one of Japan’s premier onsen resort areas — the entire region sits on a geothermally active zone with multiple distinct hot spring sources. Most ryokans (traditional inns) include private or communal onsen baths. If you’re not staying overnight, day-use onsen facilities like Hakone Yuryo near Gora offer a genuine hot spring experience with both public baths and private rooms. The water quality is excellent — naturally sulfurous in some areas, and alkaline and silky in others.
*Written by a Japan travel professional with 15+ years of industry experience. Last updated: 2026.*
