Only an hour and a half away from Tokyo, surrounded by beautiful nature scenery is the town of Hakone. A popular destination for those living in the big cities, this unique town perfectly blends the art of Japanese culture and nature together to create a peaceful and breathtaking atmosphere. With views of Mt. Fuji, Japanese forests, museums, and traditional hot springs, this is one of my most favorite places in Japan. Below, you will find the absolute best bucketlist activities you must try when visiting Hakone.
Hakone Jinja Shrine
Hakone Jinja is a beautiful Shinto shrine built over a thousand years ago and is still in use today. Known for its unparalleled and picture perfect view of its red torii gate on the shores of Lake Ashinoko, it is a popular travel destination for many. Apart from its famous torii gate, this shrine also consists of a peaceful and charming path up into the mountains where the main shrines resides.
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (On a Pirate Ship!)
This cruise across Hakone’s Lake Ashinoko is perfect for travelers of all ages. Three full-size and highly detailed pirate ships are available as a fun mode of travel across the beautiful lake. With a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji, pristine waters, and a perfect view of Hakone Jinja Shrine on the way, this is a definite must-try for those visiting this area. The ride itself is 25-40 minutes long and is a relaxing, but exciting experience.
Stay at a Ryokan
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that typically includes two amazing traditional meals, an onsen hot springs, and a Japanese style room with tatami floors and futon beds. They also usually provide a yukata, a beautiful type of cultural garment that is similar to a kimono and can be worn around the ryokan. If you are interested in learning about Japanese culture, I highly recommend staying at one of these inns in Hakone. From my personal experience, many restaurants and stores close early in this town since it is closer to the countryside, so it is a huge plus to have a delicious dinner waiting for you after your long day, and an onsen to relax in at night.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum
This open-air museum exhibits a variety of modern art and sculptures. With over 300 art pieces by Picasso, and one of the largest collections of Henry Moore’s work, this is a great museum for lovers of unique art. Detailed indoor exhibits and a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden showcase these amazing works across this vast property. The most popular outdoor exhibit, and my personal favorite, is the “Symphonic Sculpture”, a large tower beautifully created from stained glass. This tower is incredibly picturesque and a perfect spot for photography. It also provides an amazing view of the entire outdoor sculpture garden at the top of the tower’s spiral staircase.
Owakudani and the Famous “Life Extending Eggs”
Owakudani is a unique area of Hakone where there is active volcanic activity, natural hot springs, and sulfurous vents. This beautiful landscape can be accessed or seen from the Hakone Ropeway, and is very famous for its specialty of “life extending eggs”. These eggs are cooked directly in the hot spring waters of Owakudani and are said to add an extra seven years to a person’s lifespan. The shells are known to turn black due to chemical reactions with the water and are known across Japan. On a clear day, visitors may also see a wonderful view of Mt. Fuji from the valleys of Owakudani.
Hakone Ropeway
The Hakone Ropeway is a gondola that will take you from the edge of Lake Ashinoko to several stops including, Ubako Station, Owakudani Station, and Sounzan Station. On the way, you will have an amazing lookout over the Owakudani Plume, the valley below, Lake Ashinoko, and a view of Mt. Fuji. This is a great method of travel if you would like to go a bit farther up the mountain away from Lake Ashinoko and see the Owakudani vents.
Hakone’s Summer Matsuri Festivals
Hakone has several Summer Matsuri Festivals that usually start at the begin in July and end in August. These matsuri festivals are a great opportunity to join locals in celebrating local culture and beliefs. If you want to learn more about Japan’s traditional values in a fun way I would highly recommend these fun festivals! You can typically expect some fun games, fireworks, traditional dancing, and food. Some examples of these matsuri in Hakone include the Ashinoko Kosui Matsuri, the Kojiri Dragon Festival, and the Festival of the Burning Shrine Gate.