Hakone Travel Guide: A Must-Visit Onsen Town Near Tokyo & Mt Fuji

 

When you travel to Japan for the first time, places like Tokyo and Mt. Fuji are definitely on your list. Today, Tabigo Japan is here to give you one more idea to add to your itinerary to make the most of your trip – the onsen town Hakone.

Hakone is only a 1.5-hour drive from Tokyo. Located between Tokyo and Mt. Fuji, it makes a perfect 2–3 day trip to enjoy both Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Besides the beautiful scenery, Hakone is also a place that provides the best Japanese experiences. You can enjoy the onsen, stay in a ryokan, visit shrines and temples, and explore different arts exhibition in Hakone.

Lake Ashi & Hakone Shrine

Lake Ashi is famous for its view of Mt. Fuji and the iconic torii gate of Hakone Shrine. If you’d like to see the scenery from a different angle, you can also take a sightseeing cruise across the lake for panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, the shrine, and the surrounding mountains. Our customer enjoys the most when they just spend time sitting beside the lake and enjoying the peace.

Owakudani

Owakudani is a volcanic valley with almost 3,000 years of history. Here you can get close to nature and enjoy the volcanic view from a short distance. You can also opt for the Hakone Ropeway to enjoy the full mountain range and a gorgeous valley—not to mention the magnificent Mt. Fuji too!

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Maybe you’ve had enough of historical and cultural sites and need something to spice up your journey. We definitely recommend the Hakone Open-Air Museum, a museum dedicated to sculpture. The famous Symphonic Sculpture is a must-see here, and trust me, you will be amazed by it.

Taking public transport such as trains or buses usually leads you to the most central part of Hakone, which is Hakone Yumoto Station. However, this is also the most crowded spot, with scenes of tourists pushing their luggage everywhere. Places like Lake Ashi and Owakudani are also harder to access by public transport, so we suggest taking a private chartered service to enjoy your trip to the fullest!

Need more ideas? Check out our Mt Fuji Tour or Custom Tour here!