19 Amazing THINGS to DO in HAKONE (Useful Maps+Photos+Practical Tips)

Looking for a break from Tokyo? Head to Hakone!

Hakone has it all, hot springs, lake Ashi, awesome views of Mount Fuji, hiking, historical sites, museums, the list goes on and on. Here is your complete list of 19 unmissable things to do in Hakone that will make you wish you had more time reserved for this amazing place.

If you only can spend a few hours in Hakone, it is still worth visiting. Make sure to check out this helpful post: Amazing TOKYO to HAKONE Day Trip (7 Fun Things You Can’t Miss)

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Mt Fuji and Lake Ashinoko (Lake Ashi) at Hakone Kanagawa / Things to Do in Hakone 

Map with Things to Do in Hakone 

If seeing Mt Fuji is on your bucket list of places to see, then Hakone has several spots perfect for Mt Fuji viewing.

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain at 3776 meters high with a near-perfect cone-shaped top. It has been worshiped as a sacred mountain for centuries.

Mt Fuji is an active volcano that last erupted in 1708.

Notably, more than 200,000 people climb up to its summit every year during the summer months.

The best times to catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji are during the fall or winter seasons, especially from December to February when the weather gets drier. In addition, there is a better chance to see Mt Fuji in the early morning and late evening hours as opposed to the middle of the day.

There are three places where you will be able to catch a view of Mt Fuji (weather permitting) in Hakone:

• From the Hakone Ropeway. Specifically, between Owakudani Station and Ubako Station.
• From the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Ashi. Specifically, near Hakonemachi-ko Port and Motohakone-ko Port.
• From the Observatory in the Hakone Detached Palace and Garden near Hakonemachi-ko.

A ride on the Hakone Tozan Train, Japan’s oldest mountain railway, is a treat for more than just railway fans!

The train is built to climb the steep mountain slopes. It winds through narrow, densely wooded valleys, over many bridges and tunnels, stopping at small stations along the way and changing directions at three switchbacks.

The ride on the Hakone Tozan Train is especially beautiful in June and July when thousands of hydrangea are in bloom along the tracks.

Special trains run from mid-June through mid-July between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora Stations for the viewing of the illuminated flowers. They depart in the evenings, twice in each direction, and require seat reservations.

One of my favorite things to do in Hakone is to be on Hakone Tozan Train when it passes over the 43-meter-high Deyama Bridge. If you happen to be visiting in the fall, you will be amazed by the scenery!

If you are considering spending a couple of days in Hakone, then Miyanoshita is an excellent place to stay.

It is the most thriving spa town in Hakone with many excellent hotels and inns as well as places to eat and souvenir shops.

In addition, it is an excellent starting point for many side tours to Lake Ashi, Gora Onsen, and the Sengokuhara Plain.

If you decide to stay in Miyanoshita for a couple of days, then you should consider checking out Fujiya Hotel. It is one of the oldest hotels in Japan. It was founded in 1878.

The hotel is surrounded by tranquil gardens. It is a great place to take a walk and find some solitude.

Above all, it is the interior of the hotel that really caught my attention. It is absolutely stunning. You will feel like you stepped back in time.

Needless to say, you can relax in their onsen in the evening. Or, if you need privacy, then soak in the bathtub in your room. The water is supplied by the natural hot springs.

Many famous people from around the world have stayed at Fujiya Hotel including Charles Chaplin, Helen Keller, John Lennon, Prince Albert (later George VI) of the UK, the Swedish Crown Prince and his retinue, Emperor Showa, the current Emperor and Empress, and many others.

For reservations, prices, and availability, as well as detailed location instructions, check Fujiya Hotel.

Hakone Gora Park opened in 1914. It was designed by Shichigoro Isshiki one of the leading landscape designers of his generation.

The park is famous for its symmetrical layout, which represents a formal French garden with a pond and a fountain in the middle.

If you are visiting in May, you will be surrounded by blooming azaleas.  In June and early July, make sure to visit the stunning Rose Garden.

To get to Hakone Gora Park take Hakone Tozan Train from Hakone Yumoto Station and get off at Gora Station. Hakone Gora Park is no more than a 10-minute walk from the station.

The opening hours are 9 am till 5 pm. The last admission is at 4:30 pm.

The entrance fee is 550 yen, however, if you have Hakone Free Pass, then the entrance to the park is included in the pass.

Hakone Gora Park / Things to Do in Hakone 

Of all the things to do in Hakone, I think that exploring the POLA Museum of Art is hard to beat! It is, hands down, one of the top-notch things to do in Hakone!

POLA Museum of Art was opened in 2002 by the POLA group, a skincare and beauty products company.

It displays an extensive private art collection of the company’s late owner, Suzuki Tsuneshi. Specifically, it includes a wide range of fine works by Japanese artists and European Masters.

And, if you are a fan of Monet, Renoir, and Picasso, like I am, you are in for a treat. The collection’s focus is particularly on Monet, who set the benchmark for the impressionist painters, Renoir, and Picasso. But, there are so many others like Cezanne, Galle, Degas, and Van Gogh.

The museum building is of architectural interest itself.

Situated in a 300-year-old beech forest, it was designed not to disrupt the natural environment that surrounds it, but rather blend into the nature and greenery.

Make sure to take a stroll through the forest. There are several boardwalk pathways to choose from.

To get to the POLA Museum of Art, take Hakone Tozan Train from Hakone Yumoto Station and Get off at Gora Station. It will take you about 30-35 minutes to reach Gora. Next, from Gora Station take Hakone Tozan Bus S and get off at the POLA Museum of Art. It is about a 15-minute bus ride.

The opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm. The last admission is at 4:30 pm. The entrance ticket is 1,800 yen.

I would highly recommend visiting the Museum of the Little Prince and Saint-Exupery. It is a great experience and one of the best things to do in Hakone for all the fans of The Little Prince.

The museum has a charming outdoor area with life-sized characters from the book and French-inspired stores.

To get to the Museum of the Little Price and Saint-Exupery take Hakone Tozan Train from Hakone Yumoto Station and get off at Gora. It is about a 30-minute train ride. Next, from Gora take Hakone Tozan Bus T and get off at the Museum of the Little Price and Saint-Exupery.

The opening hours are 9 am to 6 pm and the last admission is at 5 pm. The entrance ticket is 1,600 yen.

Needless to say, visiting the Venetian Glass Museum will be one of your favorite things to do in Hakone!

The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (Glass no Mori) occupies an elegant European-style villa and showcases prominent glass artworks both antique and contemporary.

Make sure to spend time in the Hakone Glass Forest, which surrounds the museum. It is a great place to take some awesome pictures.

First of all, do not miss Palazzo Ducale Chandelier placed right in the middle of a large pond. It is a floor chandelier made by modern glass artist Dale Chihuly.

Next, leading to the museum is a glass archway called Corridor of Light. The corridor is 10m in length and 9m in height and it is made of approximately 160,000 pieces of crystal. I hope you get strong sunlight and no clouds to catch the full glittering effect.

There are several studios where you can participate in workshops, so make sure to check them all out.

To get to Hakone Venetian Museum take Hakone Tozan Bus T bound for Togendai from Yumoto Statio and get off at Hyoseki/Hakone Garasu-no-Mori-Mae (Hakone Venetian Glass Museum).

The opening hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm and the last admission is at 5 pm. The entrance ticket is 1,500 yen.

Pampas grass at Sengokuhara is one of the things that should not be missed if you are visiting Hakone in the fall or even early winter. It is touted as one of the most scenic spots in Kanagawa Prefecture.

If you visit in early fall, you will experience open fields of nothing but golden pampas grass. Come November and the pampas grass will turn a beautiful whitish color. From a distance, the fields look like an immense fluffy carpet laid over the lumpy land.

Take a walk down the path and immerse yourself in the picturesque landscape.

To get there, take Hakone Tozan Bus T from Hakone Yumoto Station and get off at Sengoku Kogen. The bus ride will take about 30 minutes.

Pampass Grass at Sengokuhara in Hakone / Things to Do in Hakone 

Odawara Castle was an impregnable castle owned by the fifth daimyo of the Hojo clan, the samurai family that governed the Kanto area for about a century from the end of the 15th century. It functioned as a cornerstone of defense for Hakone.

The current castle tower was rebuilt in 1960.

This three-layered, four-story castle tower has a tsuke-yagura (connecting tower) and watari-yagura (hall turrets) on the top.

Make sure to go to the top floor of the tower and enjoy a full view of Sagami Bay.

In addition, don’t miss Tokiwagi Gate Samurai museum. The exhibition truly captures the artistry of the samurai armor and the spirit of the samurai.

It is super easy to get to Odawara Castle in Hakone. If you are traveling on JR East or JR Central, then get off at Odawara Station. From Odawara Station take the East Exit and follow the signs.

Odawara Castle is no more than a 10-minute walk from Odawara Station. You will see Odawara Castle Donjon (a massive tower) from the distance.

The hours of operation are 9 am to 5 pm and the last admission is at 4:30 pm.

I would recommend getting a 3-Hall Common Ticket that covers the Castle Tower, Tokiwagi Gate, and Odawara Castle Historical Observations Hall. Altogether it costs 700 yen.

However, if you are limited on time, then make sure to at least visit the Castle Tower.

The entrance ticket to the Castle Tower costs 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for Elementary/Junior High Students. If you have Hakone Free Pass, then you qualify to get a discount and purchase the adult ticket for 450 yen and pay 180 yen for the Elementary/Junior High Student ticket.

Hakone Open Air Museum is a world-class open-air gallery and you should not miss it on this day trip to Hakone. It covers an area of 70,000 square meters of beautiful lawns and gardens surrounded by forested hills.

Its collections include some of the world’s most significant sculptures and works of art of the late 19th and 20th centuries by Western and Japanese artists.

What is really cool is that many pieces of art at designed for kids to climb and explore, so the day trip to Hakone and the visit to Hakone Open Air Museum could be a lot of fun for the entire family.

In addition, Hakone Open Air Museum has an outdoor foot bath as well to cool off and relax.

The most notable of the indoor exhibits is a collection of Pablo Picasso’s creations. It includes more than 300 of Picasso’s works, comprising oil paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, and gold objects.

One of the most popular pieces at Hakone Open Air Museum is the Symphonic Sculpture by Gabriel Loire.

Symphonic Sculpture is a tower enclosed by colorful stained glass. Furthermore, inside the stain-glass tower is an 18-meter tall circular staircase that you can ascend all the way up to the viewing platform.

Sphere Within Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro is one of the more famous designs at the Hakone Open Air Museum.

There are other spheres made by Arnaldo Pomodoro. They are located all over the world.

The surface of the sphere is brightly polished and can be spotted from a far distance gleaming in the sun. As you come closer, you notice that there is a tear in the perfect orb. It looks like a part of it was either ripped out or torn away. The tear exposes the interior with another sphere inside.

Hakone Open Air Museum’s piece de resistance is the outdoor foot bath.

Here, you can soak your footsies in the warm mineral waters scented with floating oranges and lemons and massage your feet on raised river pebbles.

To get to Hakone Open Air Museum take Hakone Tozan Train from Hakone-Yumoto Station and get off at Stop OH56 – Chokoku-no-mori Station. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Chokoku-no-mori Station. And, Hakone Open Air Museum is no more than a 5-minute walk from the station.

The opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm and the last admission is at 4:30 pm.

The entrance ticket costs 1,600 yen, however, if you have the Hakone Free Pass, then you can purchase a discounted ticket for 1,400 yen.

Taking Hakone Ropeway from Sounzan to Togendai-ko is one of the top things to do in Hakone!

First, you will be passing over Owakudani known as Hell Valley’with boiling pools of water and vents spewing hot steam and sulfur fumes.

Next, as you approach Ubanko Station be on the lookout for Mt Fuji (weather permitting).

Owakudani is known as the Great Boiling Valley or Hell Valley.

Specifically, it is a large volcanic crater formed 3,000 years ago following an eruption of Mount Hakone.

Owakudani remains an active volcanic region. It has hot springs, boiling pools of water, and huge vents spewing hot steam and fumes. You will be able to smell the volcanic fumes of sulfur from far away. The fumes have an unmistakable scent of rotten eggs.

However, do not be discouraged, it is one of the most fun things to do in Hakone!

Owakudani Valley in Hakone / Things to Do in Hakone 

To start with, take a walk and enjoy these spectacular natural views.

Furthermore, be on the lookout for Mt Fuji. At this altitude of 1,044 meters, you might be lucky to see Mt Fuji and even Tokyo Skyline, if the weather cooperates.

Interestingly enough, tourists flock to this area seeking the famous Owakudani black eggs or kuro-tamago.

Owakudani black eggs are basically hard-boiled chicken eggs in the Owakudani’s hot water pools. The sulfur in the water turns the eggshell black, however, the inside still looks like a normal hard-boiled egg.

Legend has it that eating just one egg will extend your life by 7 years. Incidentally, there is an addendum to the legend that says that you should not eat more than two of these eggs. So, there is no chance here of becoming immortal.

But, If you are looking for original souvenirs, I think that getting some eggs as a gift with a promise of life extension might be pretty sleek.

If you like trains then make sure to check out RomanceCar!  It most definitely should be one of your top things to do in Hakone!

RomanceCar is the most luxurious and fastest way to get to Hakone. Notably, RomanceCar leaves from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo and it will take you straight to Hakone Yumoto without changing trains in Odawara.

It is not called RomanceCar for nothing! It has fully reclining seats, private compartments, panoramic windows, observation decks, onboard WiFi, and more.

To be honest, the cruise on Lake Ashi is one of my favorite things to do in Hakone.

The scenery is breathtaking no matter what time of the year you visit. In addition, Lake Ashi is really well known for the inverted reflection of Mt. Fuji. And, here, hopefully, you will get another chance to catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji.

Notably, Lake Ashi is a crater lake created by a phreatic (stem and minerals) eruption 3000 years ago. It sits at 725 meters (2,378 feet) above sea level and has a circumference of 21 km (11 miles).

It is a great fishing spot as well as it abounds in black bass and trout!

Exploring Hakone Checkpoint is one of the most interesting things to do in Hakone. I love history and this area has so many stories to tell.

During the Edo period, a nationwide road network was developed in Japan. Along with the development of roads came many ‘sekisho’, which are checkpoints. The purpose of the checkpoints was to inspect the travelers and their loads.

Hakone Sekisho was one of the most important checkpoints that safeguarded the security of Edo (now Tokyo) as the seat of the Shogunate.

Once you reach Hakone Checkpoint, you will be able to see a historically accurate restoration of the original checkpoint.

Do not miss Hakone Sekisho Exhibition Hall. It displays many artifacts of the Edo period, such as travel certificates, officials’ diaries, and samurai weaponry.

To get to Hakone Checkpoint take Hakone Tozan Bus K from Hakone Yumoto Station, and then get off at MotoHakone-ko Port. Next, what I like to do is take Ancient Cedar Avenue to Hakonemachi-ko Port.

Hakone Checkpoint and Hakone Sekisho Exhibition Hall are about a 10-minute walk from Hakonemachi-ko Port.

The opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm and the last entry is at 4:30 pm.  Moreover, the entrance fee is 500 yen, however, if you have the Hakone Free Pass, then you can purchase a discounted ticket for 450 yen.

Even if you are not a die-hard Lalique fan, Lalique Museum Hakone is well worth a visit if only to better understand what a true genius Rene Lalique was!

Lalique Museum Hakone owns a collection of more than 1,500 Lalique pieces including over 200 pieces of precious jewelry

The museum is beautifully designed and situated, and each of Lalique’s pieces is beautifully displayed and lit up.

Rene Lalique (1860-1945) was a French artist of “The Art Nouveau” and “Art Deco” eras. He was primarily known as a craftsman of objects in glass and also as a master of jewelry.

Even if you are not a die-hard Lalique fan, Lalique Museum Hakone is well worth a visit if only to better understand what a true genius Rene Lalique was!

Lalique Museum Hakone owns a collection of more than 1,500 Lalique pieces including over 200 pieces of precious jewelry

The museum is beautifully designed and situated, and each of Lalique’s pieces is beautifully displayed and lit up.

Rene Lalique (1860-1945) was a French artist of “The Art Nouveau” and “Art Deco” eras. He was primarily known as a craftsman of objects in glass and also as a master of jewelry.

To get to Lalique Museum Hakone, take the Hakone Tozan Bus Kojiri/Togen-dai route from Odawara Station or Hakone Yumoto Station and get off at Sengoku Annai-jo Mae. It takes about 45 from Odawara and 30 minutes from Hakone Yumoto Station to reach Lalique Museum Hakone.

Lalique Museum Hakone is open from 9 am to 5 pm and the last admission is at 4:30 pm. The entrance ticket is 1,500 yen.

Make sure to stop for an afternoon tea in Lalique Pullman Car, designed originally for the express train bound for Cote d’Azur, and check out the wonderful glass panels adorning the inside of the car.

To get to Lalique Museum Hakone, take the Hakone Tozan Bus Kojiri/Togen-dai route from Odawara Station or Hakone Yumoto Station and get off at Sengoku Annai-jo Mae. It takes about 45 from Odawara and 30 minutes from Hakone Yumoto Station to reach Lalique Museum Hakone.

Lalique Museum Hakone is open from 9 am to 5 pm and the last admission is at 4:30 pm. The entrance ticket is 1,500 yen.

I have to honestly say that taking a stroll on Ancient Cedar Avenue is my second favorite thing to do in Hakone (right after the cruise on lake Ashi).

Ancient Cedar Avenue stretches for about two kilometers.  It is an absolute delight to walk under the cedars planted over 400 years ago and enjoy the wonderful shade they give during the summer months.

Plus, you will get to enjoy the great views of Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji.

The Ancient Cedar Avenue is located between Motohakone-ko and Hakonemachi-ko. You can take the Hakone Tozan Bus K from Hakone Yumoto Station and get off at either Motohakone-ko or Hakonemachi-ko and take a stroll in either direction.

Hakone-jinja Shrine was founded in 757 and it is where Tokugawa and other samurai families worshiped.

I have to honestly say that the shrine is visually stunning situated next to Lake Ashi. Its torii is next to the lake and it is just a picture-perfect setting!

To Get to Hakone-jinja Shrine take Hakone Tozan Bus K to Motohakone-ko from Hakone Yumoto Station. Hakone-jinja Shrine is no more than a 15-minute walk from Motohakone-ko. And, it is free to visit!

I am saving the best for last!

Mishima Skywalk is worth checking out. It is not quite located in Hakone, however, it is close enough. And, above all, I do not want you to miss an incredible walk on a 400 m suspension bridge. It will be one of your favorite things to do in Hakone, or I should say, close to Hakone.

Mishima Skywalk is a pedestrian bridge officially known as the Hakone Seiroku Mishima Suspension Bridge.

It spans a valley on the southwestern rim of the Mount Hakone caldera in Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan.

Notably, the views from the bridge are spectacular! If the weather is cooperating, you will get to see the panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay.

How to get to Mishima Skywalk? First, from Hakone Yumoto Station take Hakone Tozan Bus H bound for Hakone Port and get off at Motohakone Port. It will take you about 35 minutes to reach Motohakone Port.

Next, from Motohakone Port take Tokai Orange Shuttle Bus N bound for Mishima Station and get off at Mishima Station. It should take you about 20 minutes to reach Mishima Station.

Finally, walk to Mishima Skywalk. It is no more than a 10-minute walk.

The opening hours are 9 am till 5 pm. However, it is subject to change depending on the weather conditions. In general, I need to add, that you should be prepared for strong winds. In addition, if you are visiting in winter, make sure to dress warmly.

The entrance ticket costs 1,000 yen.