Hakone is the quintessential getaway from Tokyo. Within a small radius it packs hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, a lake with a torii, an open-air art museum and the best ryokan to begin the experience of sleeping in traditional Japanese accommodation.
Hakone is the perfect stop between Tokyo and Kyoto if your route runs by shinkansen. It also works as a one- or two-night getaway from Tokyo: the Odakyu Romancecar train departs directly from Shinjuku in about 85 minutes. Many travellers book their first ryokan-with-onsen night here, one of the essential experiences of the trip.
See also: Tokyo guide · Kyoto guide · Kamakura guide
Hakone has its own transport pass (the Hakone Free Pass) that covers the mountain train, cable car, funicular and lake ferry. The most practical way to move between its attractions.
The volcanic Lake Ashi offers the most iconic views of Mount Fuji, with the torii of the Hakone-jinja shrine emerging from the water. Sightseeing boats cross it and connect with the cable car within the Hakone Free Pass circuit.
The active geothermal area of Hakone: a valley of sulphurous fumaroles created by ancient eruptions. Here the black eggs (kuro-tamago) are cooked in hot springs, and you arrive by cable car with views of Fuji on clear days.
Hakone is one of the most celebrated hot-spring destinations in Japan: its natural springs rise at different temperatures and colours depending on the minerals underground. Bathing in a rotenburo (outdoor onsen) at a traditional ryokan is one of the essential experiences of the area.
Recommended plans, sights and experiences, with budget guidance and direct links.
Hakone fits perfectly between Tokyo and Kyoto as a one- or two-night stop. Taking the shinkansen from Odawara (20 min by train from Hakone) is the most convenient way west. Many travellers book the ryokan before any other accommodation on the route, and combine it with Kamakura by taking advantage of the stop at Odawara. To see where it fits within the trip, check the itineraries by duration.
The most convenient option is the Odakyu Romancecar train from Shinjuku, which reaches Hakone-Yumoto in about 85 minutes without transfers. With a JR Pass, the alternative is the shinkansen to Odawara and then connecting with the Hakone mountain train. See the Japan transport guide →
The JR Pass covers the shinkansen to Odawara (the nearest station), but not the Odakyu Romancecar train or most of the internal transport in Hakone. The Odakyu Hakone Free Pass is more convenient for getting around the area. Work out whether the JR Pass is worth it →
It is an Odakyu pass that covers unlimited use of the mountain train, the funicular, the cable car and the Lake Ashi ferry, plus the journey from Shinjuku. As almost the entire Hakone sightseeing circuit uses these transports, it usually pays off even for a single day of visiting.
One or two nights. With one night there is time to do the Lake Ashi circuit, Owakudani and the open-air museum, and to enjoy the ryokan onsen. A second night makes sense if you are after total disconnection or want a margin in case Fuji appears clear on another day.
No. Fuji is often hidden among clouds, especially in summer. The months with the highest chance of clear skies are January, February and October. Check the forecast before planning specific viewing activities.
Public onsen (sento or shared baths) are inexpensive and culturally very authentic. Upmarket ryokan include a private onsen in the room or on a terrace, which means more privacy at a higher price.
