Top 10 must visit sightseeing places in Hakone.

Nature, hot springs, museums! There is so much to do and see in Hakone.

Hakone is one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations and is a part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Here you can experience wonder and beauty of Hakone’s volcanoes and stunning landscapes. In addition, Hakone is well known for its hot springs which attract visitors from all over the world. Some of Japan’s best museums are also located here which are worth visiting.

Here are some top visiting spots carefully selected by K’s House Hakone’s staff.

*Please check official websites of each facility for details and latest updates.

*”Access” is an example of public transportation usage starting from Hakone-Yumoto Station.

*All the fees listed here are for adults only.

Getting around Hakone Yumoto

The first thing that comes to your eyes when you arrive at Hakone-Yumoto station is the vibrant area full of souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. There are some things there that you would not want to miss out, such as trying kamaboko (a type of cured surimi), himono (semi-dried fish), hot spring steamed buns and some local sweets. Getting hungry? Don’t worry, there are many places to eat around the station. By the way, just having some coffee while relaxing near Hayakawa River is also a good idea.

Access

Approximately 100 minutes from Shinjuku station by Odakyu Romance car (2,330 yen one way)

Business hours

Most shops open at 9am and close around 5:30pm.

Restaurants and cafes working hours 8am-11pm.

(Please note that there are very few shops available during breakfast and dinner hours, most places are mainly open during lunch hours.)

Hakone Tozan Train (Hakone Yumoto station – Gora station)

The Hakone Tozan Line is a mountain railway in Japan, which is a part of Odakyu Group. It is one of Japan’s oldest mountain railways with a history of more than 100 years. This line is popular not only with railway fans but also with tourists. The most interesting part is the switchback method which is used in this area, this has not changed since the opening. This system helps the train to zigzag up the steep mountain. You might consider it as a local attraction. The view is stunning, especially the one from Hayakawa-bridge, which is a must see spot regardless of the season.

Official website : Hakone Tozan Train

Access

[To Gora station] Transfer at Hakoneyumoto station.

[To Hakone-Yumoto station] Transfer from Hakone Tozan Cable Car at Gora station.

Business hours and fees

[To Gora station] Hakone-Yumoto station – 5:50am first train, 10:26pm last train.

[To Hakone-Yumoto station] Gora station – 5:23am first train. 10:00pm last train.

Fee – 410 yen one way.

Hakone Tozan Cable Car (Gora station – Souunzan station)

The Hakone Tozan Cable Car is a funicular line well known in Hakone area. It connects Gora station with Souunzan station which is located 214 meters above. This line was opened in 1922 which makes it the second oldest Cable car line in Japan, first place goes to Nara Prefecture’s Ikoma Cable Car. There are two types of trains available, one is a retro style train and the second one looks very cute, which makes it perfect for taking pictures.

Official website : Hakone Tozan Cable Car

Access

[When coming from the lakeside] Transfer from Hakone Ropeway at Souunzan station.

[When going to the lakeside] Transfer from Hakone Tozan train at Gora station.

Business hours and fees

[To Gora station] Souunzan station – 7:41am first train, 7:07pm last train.

[To Souunzan station] Gora station – 7:41am first train, 7:07pm last train.

Fee – 430 yen one way.

Hakone Ropeway (Souunzan station – Togendai station), Owakudani valley

Photo(left) : official website

Hakone Ropeway is available between Souunzan and Todendai stations. We recommend this exciting 25-minute ride to all our guests. Full length of Hakone Ropeway is approximately 4km which makes it the longest ropeway service in Japan. That is exactly the reason why it was awarded the title “busiest gondola lift” by the Guinness World Records in 2009. It is a very important visiting spot in Hakone. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the whole Hakone area, Owakudani volcano valley and even Mt. Fuji.

Official website : Hakone Ropeway

Access

[To Souunzan station] Transfer from Hakone Pirate Ship at Togendai station.

[To Togendai station] Transfer from Hakone Tozan Cable Car at Souunzan station.

*If you wish to visit Owakudani volcano valley, get off at Owakudani station.

Business hours and fees

[February – November] 9:00am – 5:00pm

[December – January] 9:00 am – 4:15pm

Fee – 1,480 yen one way.

Komagatake Ropeway

Photo(left) : official website

Many people are familiar with Komagatake Ropeway which is located in Nagano Prefecture, but Hakone has its own Komagatake Ropeway. Why not vising it? It’s totally worth your time and we promise that you will not be disappointed. The starting point is located at the bottom of Mt. Komagatake (Hakone-en), total length is about 1,800m and it takes approximately 7 minutes to reach the summit of the mountain. From the top you can see such famous places like Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, Izu Peninsula, Izu Islands, Shonan Beach and even Boso Peninsula. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Don’t miss it out!

Official website : Komagatake Ropeway

Access

Takes about 60 minutes from Hakone-Yumoto station by Izuhakone Bus (bound for Hakone-en).

Fee – 1,200 yen one way.

Business hours and fees

[Up] 9:00am – 4:20pm

[Down] 9:20am – 4:40pm

Fees – 1,000 yen one way. 1,600 round trip.

Hakone Pirate ship

There are two main cruise ship companies available, but we recommend using Hakone Pirate Ship. The first reason for that is you can use your Hakone free pass. And the second reason is that it’s just an amazing experience to cruise on the medieval European style pirate ship! Isn’t it?

If you want to add more spice to your trip, how about upgrading your ticket for an additional fee and trying the luxurious VIP cabin?

Hakone Pirate Ship cruise runs between three main ports (Hakonemachi-ko, Motohakone-ko, Togendai-ko) which makes it a very convenient way of transportation in the area.

Official website : Hakone Sightseeing Cruise

Access

[Togendai Port] Get off at Togendai station if using Hakone Ropeway.
From Hakone-Yumoto station it takes about 50 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus (T line, Fee – 1,070 yen one way).

[Hakonemachi Port] From Hakone-Yumoto Station it takes about 25-55 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus (R line, H line, Fee – 980 yen one way).

[Motohakone Port] From Hakone-Yumoto station it takes about 35 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus (R line, K line, H line, Fee – 980 yen one way).

Business hours and fees

9:50am – 4:40pm as of December 2020.

Fees – 1,050 yen one way, 1,930 yen round trip.

Special cabin fee – extra 500 yen one way.

Hakone Shrine

The Hakone Shrine is a very famous Shinto Shrine in Japan and a well know visiting spot in Hakone. This sacred place has a long history of more than 1,260 years.

Hakone Shrine is strongly connected with such famous people as Minamotono Yorimoto and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Here you can reunite with nature, get a real spiritual experience, some good luck and ask Gods for your most sacred wishes to come true.

Another famous place is an 800-year old cedar avenue which is also a spiritual power spot. We recommend that you also include Kuzuryu Shrine and famous red Torii gate in your “must see” list.

Official website : Hakone Shrine (Japanese)

Access

From Hakone-Yumoto station it takes about 35-40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus (R line, K line, H line). Get off at Motohakone Port Bus stop and walk for around 10 minutes.

Fee – 980 yen one way.

Business hours and fees

Open daily, 24hours, free of charge.

The Hakone Open Air Museum

It is the first open air museum in Japan and it was opened back in 1969. The museum has a huge variety of sections and different exhibitions both located indoors and outdoors. Museum covers a large area of approximately 70,000㎡. The Hakone Open Air Museum houses over 300 works by Pablo Picasso.
There is also a beautiful garden available to visitors and some places to relax, such as natural hot spring footbath.
It’s a great place to spend your holiday with family, friends and even alone.

Official website : The Hakone Open Air Museum

Access

From Hakone-Yumoto station it takes about 35 minutes by Hakone Tozan Train. Get off at Chokoku no Mori station and walk for 2 minutes.

Fee – 410 yen one way.

Business hours and fees

9:00am-5:00pm, open daily.

Entrance fee – 1,600 yen.

Hakone Stone-Paved Road (Hakone Sekisho – Amazake Chaya)

Tokaido Highway is one of the five highway roads constructed during Edo period, it still exists and anyone can easily access it. It is a very famous place among tourists and hikers. The recommended route takes about 120 minutes, its starting point is Hakone Sekisho which is located on the shore of Lake Ashi.

It is a pleasant walk in a truly magical place among 400 years old large cedar trees. This ancient cobblestone highway is one of Hakone’s treasures. The route will lead you straight to Amazake-Chaya.

Official website : Hakone Stone-Paved Road (Japanese)

Access

[Hakone Sekisho]From Hakone-Yumoto station it takes about 25-55 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus (R line, H line) and costs 980 yen one way.

Business hours and fees

Free of charge and available anytime throughout the year.

Amasake Chaya

Amazake Chaya was founded in the early years of Edo period. It is famous for its amazake which is a sweet rice wine, the recipe remains the same as it was 400 years ago. Not only it heals the mind and body of a tired traveler but also in some way it connects people with those who lived hundreds of years ago.

It’s a great place to take a break, get drinks and try some local food and sweets. We highly recommend matcha, tokoroten (Japanese jelly noodles) and miso oden.

Official website : Amasake Chaya (Japanese)