Hakone Gora Park (Kanagawa Prefecture) Complete Guide｜Enjoying Four Seasons of Flowers and Experience Workshops in Japan’s First French-Style Garden
Hakone Gora Park, located in the Gora district of Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a historic park that opened in 1914 (Taisho 3). Known as Japan’s first French formal garden, it has been beloved by countless tourists for over 110 years. On its vast grounds of 26,500 square meters, flowers bloom in each season, with experience workshops, cafes, and various other facilities scattered throughout.
This article provides comprehensive information about Hakone Gora Park, from its history and highlights to access methods and admission fees, covering everything you should know before visiting.
History and Characteristics of Hakone Gora Park
Japan’s First French Formal Garden Born in the Taisho Era
Hakone Gora Park opened in 1914 to coincide with the opening of the terminal station of the Hakone Tozan Railway, Gora Station. At the time, it featured a groundbreaking Western-style park design and was born as Japan’s first French formal garden.
A French formal garden is a garden style characterized by geometric composition, with features including flower beds arranged in bilateral symmetry, fountains, and straight garden paths. At Hakone Gora Park, taking advantage of the slope of a hillside on Mt. Soun, this style has been masterfully incorporated into the unique terrain with an elevation difference of approximately 40 meters between the main gate and west gate.
Value as a Registered Historic Monument
On August 1, 2013, Hakone Gora Park was designated as a nationally registered historic monument. This recognition affirms its value as a precious cultural heritage conveying landscape gardening techniques and Western-style garden design from the Taisho era to the present day. Located in Hakone Town, Ashigara-Shimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, this park is protected as an important historical landscape in the Kanto region.
Attractions Featuring Seasonal Flowers
Spring: The Interplay of Cherry Blossoms and Azaleas
In spring, Hakone Gora Park is colored by cherry blossoms and azaleas. From late March to early April, cherry blossoms including Somei Yoshino bloom, captivating visitors. As the cherry blossoms begin to fall, vibrant azaleas come into bloom, and from late April to mid-May, the park fills with red, pink, and white flowers.
Also not to be missed in spring are rhododendrons. Large-flowered rhododendrons add elegance to the spring park with their magnificent appearance.
Summer: Hydrangeas and Tropical Plants
During the rainy season, Hakone’s signature hydrangeas bloom throughout the park. From June to July, you can enjoy hydrangeas in diverse colors including blue, purple, and pink. While Hakone as a whole is known as a hydrangea destination, beautiful hydrangeas can also be enjoyed at Gora Park.
In summer, the tropical plant pavilion (Bougainvillea Hall) is also a must-see. While tropical plants can be viewed year-round in the greenhouse, especially in summer, brightly colored bougainvilleas and hibiscus come into their prime.
Autumn: The Beautiful Contrast of Roses and Fall Foliage
The main highlight of autumn at Hakone Gora Park is the collaboration between autumn roses in the rose garden and fall foliage. The park features approximately 140 varieties of roses, and from late October to mid-November, roses in red, yellow, pink, orange, and other colors bloom in profusion.
As fall foliage comes into its prime at the same time, you can enjoy a spectacular view where the elegance of roses combines with the deep colors of autumn leaves. This period is particularly popular, attracting many tourists.
Winter: Plant Appreciation in Silence
Hakone Gora Park in winter has a more serene atmosphere compared to spring through fall, but pleasures abound. In the tropical plant pavilion, you can view colorful tropical plants in a warm greenhouse even in the cold season. Additionally, the winter garden possesses a unique beauty, where the geometric structure of the French formal garden stands out more distinctly.
Enjoying Crafts Through Experience Facilities
Diverse Experience Workshops at Hakone Craft House
Within Hakone Gora Park, there is an experience facility called Hakone Craft House, where various crafting experiences are available. Staff provide one-on-one careful instruction, so beginners and children can enjoy safely.
In the glass-blowing experience, you can create original glasses and single-flower vases. This is a genuine experience working with high-temperature glass, allowing you to experience the joy of creating a one-of-a-kind work.
In the pottery experience, you can create vessels and cups using an electric pottery wheel or hand-building techniques. You can enjoy the feel of clay while creating your own original ceramics.
Other experience options include sandblasting, dried flower arrangements, and lampwork bead creation. You can take home the work you create as a souvenir of your trip to Hakone.
Point Tea Ceremony Experience at a Registered Tangible Cultural Property
Within the park is a tea room designated as a registered tangible cultural property, where you can experience a formal tea ceremony. This is a valuable opportunity to touch Japanese traditional culture while enjoying matcha and Japanese sweets in a quiet space.
Relaxation Time at Cafes and Restaurants
Tasting the Limited Curry at Isshikidou Tearoom
At the park cafe “Isshikidou Tearoom,” a special curry limited to 40 servings daily is popular. The authentic, flavorful curry is perfect for a break during your walk. Since numbers are limited, we recommend visiting early.
From the cafe, you can dine while overlooking the garden, enjoying seasonal views. Coffee, tea, and desserts are also plentiful, making it an ideal rest spot during your walk.
Facility Information and Basic Data
Business Hours and Closed Days
Hakone Gora Park’s business hours vary by season.
- March to November: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (admission until 4:30 PM)
- December to February: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (admission until 4:00 PM)
The park is generally open year-round, though there are approximately 3 maintenance closure days per year. We recommend checking official information before your visit.
Admission Fees
- Adults: 650 yen
- Elementary school children and younger: Free
If you have a Hakone Free Pass, admission is free. Various discount tickets and annual passes are available; please check the official website for details.
Access Methods
Using Public Transportation
- From Hakone Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Railway (bound for Gora) for approximately 40 minutes to Gora Station
- From Gora Station, take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car (bound for Soun) for approximately 2 minutes to Park Lower Station
- From Park Lower Station, walk for approximately 2 minutes to reach the main gate
You can also reach the park on foot from Gora Station in approximately 5 minutes.
Using a Car
From Gotemba IC on the Tomei Expressway, it takes approximately 30 minutes via National Route 138.
Parking Information
The park has dedicated parking. However, parking can become congested during tourist season and weekends, so public transportation is recommended. Since the Hakone area is prone to traffic congestion, especially during peak season, trains and cable cars are convenient.
Location
〒250-0408 1300 Gora, Hakone Town, Ashigara-Shimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Hakone Museum of Art
Near Hakone Gora Park is the Hakone Museum of Art. This museum, centered on Japanese ancient ceramics and porcelain collections, is particularly known for the beauty of its moss garden. It’s an ideal spot to visit along with Gora Park.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum
A short ride on the Hakone Tozan Railway away is The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan’s first outdoor museum focused on outdoor sculpture. You can appreciate sculpture works scattered across the vast grounds while taking a walk.
Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani
From Gora, you can take the cable car to Soun and then transfer to the ropeway to access Hakone’s famous Owakudani. You can enjoy the impressive landscape with steam rising from volcanic activity and taste the area’s famous black eggs.
Tips and Advice for Your Visit
Estimated Time Required
To fully enjoy Hakone Gora Park, you should plan for 2 to 3 hours. While just viewing the garden takes about an hour, if you use the experience workshops and cafes as well, plan for about half a day.
Recommended Visiting Periods
Each season has its charm, but particularly recommended times are:
- Early to mid-May: Azaleas in full bloom with the park in vivid colors
- Late June to early July: Hydrangeas at their best
- Late October to mid-November: The collaboration of autumn roses and fall foliage
Clothing and Belongings
Since the park has slopes, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Depending on the season, the sun can be strong, so hats and sunscreen are convenient. In rainy weather, bring an umbrella or raincoat.
If using the experience workshops, wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Tips for Avoiding Crowds
Weekends and holidays, especially during Golden Week and fall foliage season, are crowded. Visiting on weekday mornings allows you to enjoy the park relatively peacefully. Also, early morning shortly after opening or just before closing times are recommended with fewer people.
Suggestions for Enjoying Hakone Gora Park
Plan Recommended for Couples
The beautiful French formal garden landscape is ideal for couples to stroll through together. You can take a leisurely walk viewing seasonal flowers, enjoy tea at a cafe, and deepen your travel memories by crafting together at an experience workshop.
Plan Recommended for Families with Children
If visiting with children, the experience workshops are recommended. Ceramic work or glass-blowing where parents and children create together nurtures children’s creativity and deepens family bonds. Walking through the spacious park allows for nature observation and plant learning.
Plan Recommended for Solo Travelers
It’s perfect for strolling through the quiet garden at your own pace and enjoying photography. You can carefully observe seasonal flowers and the geometric beauty of the garden, and enjoy leisurely reading at a cafe—a luxurious time that allows you to forget the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Sample One-Day Course in the Hakone Area
Here is an example of a day-long sightseeing plan centered on Hakone Gora Park.
Morning
- 9:00 AM Arrive at Hakone Yumoto Station, take Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora Station
- 10:00 AM Arrive at Hakone Gora Park, walk the garden and view flowers
- 11:30 AM Experience crafting at an experience workshop
Afternoon
- 12:30 PM Lunch at park cafe
- 2:00 PM Visit Hakone Museum of Art and other nearby museums
- 4:00 PM Day bathing at Gora Hot Spring
- 5:30 PM Return to Hakone Yumoto to purchase souvenirs
This way, you can fully enjoy the attractions of the Hakone area with Hakone Gora Park as the center.
Comparison with Other Notable Sites in Kanagawa Prefecture
While Kanagawa Prefecture has many tourist attractions, Hakone Gora Park possesses unique charm in the following points:
- Historical Value: Japan’s first French formal garden continuing from the Taisho era
- Seasonal Change: Different flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year
- Abundant Experience Facilities: Not just viewing, but crafting experiences are possible
- Combination with Hot Springs: Its location allows enjoyment with Hakone hot spring trips
If you want to enjoy a Western-style garden in the Kanto region, Hakone Gora Park is an unmissable destination.
Conclusion: Spending Special Time at Hakone Gora Park
Hakone Gora Park is Japan’s first French formal garden with over 110 years of history and a leading tourist attraction in Kanagawa Prefecture. On its 26,500 square-meter grounds, seasonal flowers bloom in succession, continuing to captivate visitors.
From spring’s cherry blossoms and azaleas, to summer’s hydrangeas and tropical plants, autumn’s roses and fall foliage, and winter’s serene garden beauty, the park presents different faces with each season, and each visit brings new discoveries. Additionally, there are abundant enjoyments beyond viewing, such as crafting experiences at workshops and relaxation time at cafes.
The convenience of access via Hakone Tozan Railway and cable car is also appealing, making it an ideal base for Hakone sightseeing. With numerous hot springs and museums in the area around Gora Station, you can fully enjoy the Hakone area over the course of a day.
Hakone Gora Park is a precious spot in the Kanto region where you can simultaneously enjoy the beauty of a Western-style garden and Japan’s four seasons. Why not visit during your next day off? You will surely find yourself with special, healing time at this historic garden continuing from the Taisho era.
