Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture) Complete Guide: Thorough Explanation from Sightseeing and Hot Springs to History and Latest Information
Hakone Town, located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, is a charming area that attracts approximately 30 million tourists annually as a leading international destination in Japan. As the center of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, it possesses a unique charm that fuses abundant nature, diverse hot springs, historic sites, and modern tourism facilities. This article provides comprehensive information to help you deeply understand Hakone, from its geography, history, tourist attractions, and hot springs to access methods and the latest information.
Overview and Basic Information of Hakone Town
Location and Geographic Characteristics of Hakone Town
Hakone Town belongs to Ashigarashimo County in Kanagawa Prefecture and is located in the southwest part of Kanagawa. It is only approximately 90 kilometers from central Tokyo, which is also one of its attractive features. The western side borders Shizuoka Prefecture, specifically adjacent to Gotemba City, Susono City, Mishima City, Oyama Town, and Kannami Town.
Hakone Town’s entire area is included in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, with an area of approximately 92 square kilometers. Most of the town’s area is a mountainous region formed by the Hakone Volcano, characterized by large elevation differences. The highest peak is Kamiyama (elevation 1,438 meters), and even the central part of town is located at elevations of several hundred meters.
Administrative Information and Population
Hakone Town Hall is located at 256 Yumoto, Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo County, Kanagawa Prefecture, with a representative phone number of 0460-85-7111. Hakone Town’s population fluctuates around approximately 11,000 people, and with an economic structure centered on tourism, the tertiary industry, especially tourism-related businesses, is the main industry.
Multiple districts exist within the town, including Yumoto, Tounosawa, Ohtaira, Miyanoshita, Kouyugaya, Gora, Miyagino, Sengokuhara, Moto-Hakone, and Hakone, each with its own distinctive characteristics.
The History of Hakone: From Ancient to Modern Times
Ancient and Medieval Hakone
Hakone’s history is old, and it was already known as a sacred place for the Shugendo practice in the Nara period. The Hakone Shrine is said to have been founded by Bankan Shonin in 757 (Tenpyo Hoji 1), and since then, Hakone has played an important role as a place of faith.
From the Heian to the Kamakura periods, Hakone became a crucial transportation hub with an important checkpoint on the Tokaido. The journey over the steep Hakone Pass was extremely difficult, and many travelers are said to have prayed at Hakone Gongen (Hakone Shrine) for safe travel. During the Kamakura period, it also prospered as a training ground for practitioners of Shugendo, with waterfalls like Hiryuu no Taki being used as training sites.
Hakone Barrier in the Edo Period
When the Edo period began, the Hakone Barrier was established in 1619 (Genna 5). Known by the phrase “incoming rifles and outgoing women,” it functioned as an important defense point for the Edo shogunate. The Hakone Barrier played the role of preventing weapons from being brought into Edo and preventing the escape of wives of daimyo who were kept in Edo as hostages.
During this period, seven hot springs in Hakone (Hakone Shichiyutou) including Yumoto, Tounosawa, Dougazima, Miyanoshita, Sokugura, Kiga, and Ashiyuu developed, becoming places where many travelers could rest and recuperate.
Modernization and Transformation into a Tourist Destination after the Meiji Era
With the advent of the Meiji period, Hakone began to be noticed as a foreign resort area. In 1878 (Meiji 11), the Hakone Yumoto Hotel opened, welcoming many foreign tourists. In 1919 (Taisho 8), the Hakone Tozan Railway opened, resulting in a dramatic improvement in accessibility.
During the Showa period, development around the Ashi Lake area progressed, and in 1950 (Showa 25), the Hakone Ropeway opened. In the 1960s, cultural facilities such as the Hakone Open-Air Museum were also created. Currently, Hakone continues to develop as an international tourist destination, ranging from traditional hot spring inns to modern resort facilities.
Nature and Geography of Hakone
Formation of Hakone Volcano
Hakone’s topography was formed by the Hakone Volcano, which began its activities approximately 400,000 years ago. The Hakone Volcano is an active volcano that continues to be active today, and at Owakudani, one can observe volcanic activity up close. Certified as the Hakone Geopark, visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery brought by volcanic blessings and hot springs of diverse mineral compositions.
The Hakone Volcano formed its current topography through multiple eruption activities. The last major eruption occurred approximately 3,000 years ago, when it is believed the current Ashi Lake was formed. The complex topography created by volcanic activity creates Hakone’s unique landscape.
Ashi Lake and Water Systems
Ashi Lake is one of Hakone’s representative tourist attractions, with an area of approximately 7 square kilometers and a maximum depth of approximately 43 meters. It is believed to have been formed about 3,000 years ago when the Hayakawa River was dammed by an eruption. The lake surface is at approximately 723 meters elevation, and on clear days, one can enjoy magnificent views with Mt. Fuji in the background.
The Hayakawa River flows out of Ashi Lake, runs through Hakone Town, and flows into Sagami Bay. Along the Hayakawa are scattered hot springs including Hakone Yumoto, and the valley scenery is also enjoyable.
Abundant Vegetation and Natural Environment
Hakone’s nature displays diverse vegetation depending on elevation. In the lowlands, one sees evergreen broad-leaved forests such as Sudajii and Tabu; in the mid-slope areas, deciduous broad-leaved forests such as beech and oak; and in the highlands, coniferous forests such as Sirasawa fir.
Sengokuhara features vast pampas grass fields, and in autumn, the golden landscape captivates visitors. Additionally, the Hakone Wetland Flower Garden allows one to observe plants unique to wetlands and is popular as a natural learning venue.
Hakone’s Hot Springs: The Charm of Hakone’s Seventeen Hot Springs
History and Mineral Composition of Hakone Hot Springs
Hakone boasts 17 hot spring areas called “Hakone Seventeen Hot Springs,” which have developed from the “Hakone Seven Hot Springs” of the Edo period. Currently, 17 hot spring areas exist: Yumoto, Tounosawa, Ohtaira, Miyanoshita, Kouyugaya, Gora, Miyagino, Sengokuhara, Ubako, Ashiyuu, Ashi Lake, Moto-Hakone, Takogawa, Dougazima, Sokugura, Kiga, and Nihonohira.
The characteristic of Hakone hot springs lies in the diversity of their mineral composition. Nearly 20 different types of mineral compositions exist, including simple hot springs, chloride springs, sulfate springs, and sulfur springs, earning Hakone the nickname “hot spring department store.” This diversity results from the complex geological structure of the Hakone Volcano, allowing visitors to enjoy completely different mineral compositions depending on the area within Hakone.
Characteristics of Major Hot Spring Areas
Hakone Yumoto Hot Spring is the largest hot spring area, located at the gateway to Hakone, with many traditional inns and hotels lining the area around the starting station of the Hakone Tozan Railway. Centered on alkaline simple hot springs, it is characterized by a gentle mineral composition on the skin.
Gora Hot Spring is a hot spring area spreading around the terminal station of the Hakone Tozan Railway, developed in the Taisho period. It features diverse mineral compositions including sulfate and chloride springs, with a wide range of accommodations from luxury inns to affordable lodges.
Sengokuhara Hot Spring is located in Hakone’s highland area and is characterized by sulfur springs. Close to vast pampas grass fields, it is popular as a hot spring area where visitors can fully enjoy nature.
Ashiyuu Hot Spring is one of Hakone’s Seven Hot Springs and has one of the oldest histories among Hakone’s hot springs. Characterized by whitish sulfur springs, it retains an atmosphere of a secluded spring resort.
Day-Trip Hot Spring Facilities
Hakone has many day-trip hot spring facilities where visitors can easily enjoy hot springs. Hakone Kouyuen Yunesssan is popular with families as a hot spring theme park, equipped with hot spring pools where one can wear swimsuits and authentic hot spring baths.
Also, many inns offer day-trip bathing services, allowing visitors to enjoy famous hot springs without staying overnight. Multiple foot baths are installed around Hakone Yumoto Station, allowing visitors to casually enjoy hot springs while strolling.
Hakone’s Main Tourist Attractions
Sightseeing around Ashi Lake
Hakone Shrine is an ancient shrine founded in 757, located on the shores of Ashi Lake. The vermilion torii gate “Gate of Peace” in the lake is known as a representative photography spot of Hakone. It is said to have benefits for matchmaking and good fortune, attracting many worshippers.
Hakone Barrier is a restored Edo-period checkpoint facility where one can learn about the times in detail. The Hakone Barrier Museum exhibits valuable materials related to the barrier, serving as an important location for understanding Edo-period transportation history.
Kanagawa Prefecture Enshrined Hakone Park is a park developed on the site of the Hakone Imperial Villa, offering panoramic views of Ashi Lake, Mt. Fuji, and the Hakone mountain range. Selected as one of Kanagawa’s 50 scenic spots, the view is spectacular, especially on clear days.
At Ashi Lake, one can enjoy sightseeing on the Hakone Sightseeing Boat. It connects three ports—Hakone Town Port, Moto-Hakone Port, and Tougen-dai Port—allowing visitors to enjoy Hakone’s scenery from the lake.
Owakudani and Hakone Ropeway
Owakudani is a popular spot where one can observe Hakone volcanic activity up close. The crater of a major eruption formed approximately 3,000 years ago, sulfur scent continues to permeate the air, and white smoke rises from the ground. The famous black eggs (hot spring eggs) are said to extend one’s life by seven years if one eats one.
Hakone Ropeway is a rope system connecting Soun-zan Station and Tougen-dai Station with a total length of approximately 4 kilometers, boasting Japan’s longest route. At Owakudani Station, one can disembark and see volcanic activity up close, and from the gondola, one can enjoy magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and Ashi Lake.
Museums and Art Museums
Hakone Open-Air Museum is Japan’s first outdoor art museum, which opened in 1969. Approximately 120 works by renowned sculptors from Japan and abroad, including Rodin, Moore, and Miro, are permanently displayed across approximately 70,000 square meters of land. The Picasso Museum displays approximately 300 pieces from the Picasso collection.
Hakone Glass Forest Museum is an art museum featuring Venetian glass, displaying Venetian glass from the 15th to 18th centuries and contemporary glass works. The gardens are adorned with seasonal flowers, allowing visitors to enjoy a European atmosphere.
Pola Museum of Art is known for its collection of Western paintings centered on Impressionism, holding works by Monet, Renoir, and Cezanne. The architecture is also beautiful, with an exhibition space that incorporates natural light.
Hakone Museum of Art is an art museum specializing in Japanese ceramics, displaying pottery from the Jomon period to the Edo period. The moss garden is also beautiful, particularly striking during the fall foliage season.
Other Tourist Attractions
Hakone Kouyuen Yunesssan is a hot spring theme park with a hot spring pool area where one can wear swimsuits and an authentic hot spring bath “Mori no Yu.” Unique baths such as wine baths and coffee baths can be enjoyed.
Hakone Gora Park is a French-style formal garden, Japan’s first, opened in 1914, where seasonal flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year. The park also includes experience workshops where visitors can try pottery and glass crafts.
Hiryuu no Taki (Dragon Waterfall) is the largest waterfall in Kanagawa Prefecture, with upper and lower sections of 15 meters and 25 meters respectively. It can be reached via the Hiryuu no Taki Natural Exploration Trail, making it a spot where one can fully enjoy nature.
Methods of Access to Hakone
Access by Train
From the Tokyo area, Odakyu Romancecar is the most convenient option. Direct service runs from Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto Station in approximately 85 minutes. An express fare is required, but one can travel comfortably with assigned seating.
When using Odakyu local trains, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway at Odawara Station. The Hakone Tozan Railway is Japan’s only full-scale mountain railway and is popular with railway enthusiasts for the way it climbs steep slopes through switchbacks. It connects Hakone Yumoto Station to Gora Station, with azaleas planted along the line; the “Azalea Train” from June through July is particularly famous.
When using JR Central’s Shinkansen bullet train or Tokaido Main Line, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway at Odawara Station. Access from Nagoya and Osaka areas is also convenient.
Access by Bus
Direct express buses operate from Tokyo, Yokohama, Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, and other locations to Hakone. The Odakyu Hakone Express Bus connects Shinjuku to Hakone Tougen-dai in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. While subject to traffic congestion, the advantage is reaching your destination without transfers.
Access by Automobile
From the Tokyo area, use the Gotemba IC or Atsugi IC on the Tomei Expressway. From Gotemba IC via National Route 138, it takes approximately 30 minutes; from Atsugi IC via the Odawara-Atsugi Road, it takes approximately 40 minutes.
Hakone has toll roads including the Hakone Skyline and Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone (formerly Hakone Turnpike), allowing visitors to enjoy scenic drives during travel. However, traffic congestion frequently occurs during the tourist season and weekends, so considering public transportation is advisable.
Travel within Hakone
The Hakone Free Pass is convenient for travel within Hakone. It allows unlimited rides on the Odakyu Line, Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Boat, Hakone Tozan Bus, and Odakyu Hakone Express Bus. Two-day and three-day passes are available, and the pass includes discount benefits at tourist facilities.
Hakone is well-equipped with Hakone Tozan Cable Car (Gora Station to Soun-zan Station), Hakone Ropeway (Soun-zan Station to Tougen-dai Station), Hakone Sightseeing Boat (Ashi Lake), and other transportation modes where the journey itself becomes tourism.
Hakone’s Cuisine and Souvenirs
Hakone’s Famous Foods
Hakone Soba is a representative local dish of Hakone, with mountain yam mountain-style soba (yamakake soba) being famous. Many soba restaurants exist around Hakone Yumoto, each competing with their own flavors.
Black Eggs are a specialty of Owakudani—hot spring eggs whose shells turn black due to chemical reactions from the hot spring. According to folklore, eating one egg extends one’s life by seven years, and many tourists purchase them.
Yuba Cuisine is another Hakone specialty, offering refined flavors inheriting the traditions of vegetarian Buddhist cuisine. Yuba specialty shops exist in the Miyanoshita area.
Hakone Bakery is operated by the Hakone Yumoto Hotel and is popular for breads made using the hotel’s traditional recipes. The curry bread, in particular, has been featured in many media outlets.
Popular Souvenirs
Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku is a representative traditional craft of Hakone, using a technique that combines various types of wood to create geometric patterns. A wide variety of products exist, including small boxes, coasters, and puzzle boxes.
Hot Spring Steamed Buns are standard souvenirs from Hakone Yumoto, with many shops competing over their unique flavors. Eating freshly made warm steamed buns while strolling is also enjoyable.
Hakone Rusk is a popular confection that can be purchased around Hakone Yumoto Station, offering a crispy texture and various flavors.
Moon Rabbit is a signature confection of Hakone—a soft confection with custard cream filling.
Hakone’s Annual Events and Festivals
Hakone Ekiden (Tokyo-Hakone Roundtrip Collegiate Relay Marathon)
Held every year on January 2nd and 3rd, the Hakone Ekiden is Hakone’s largest event, making it known nationwide. This is a collegiate relay marathon where 10 universities compete over a roundtrip distance of 217.1 kilometers from Tokyo’s Otemachi to Hakone’s Ashi Lake, continuing a tradition that has lasted since 1920. The 5th section’s Hakone ascent is known as the “mountaineering 5th section,” a crucial section that can determine the race’s outcome.
Hakone Daimyo Procession
Held on November 3rd (Culture Day) annually, the Hakone Daimyo Procession is a historical pageant reenacting an Edo-period feudal lord’s procession. Approximately 200 people participate, walking from Hakone Yumoto to Ashi Lake.
Ashi Lake Summer Festival Week
From late July through early August, multiple-day fireworks displays are held around the Ashi Lake area. Fireworks reflected on the lake surface are magical, becoming a summer fixture of Hakone.
Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field
From late September through early November, Sengokuhara’s vast pampas grass field turns golden. The landscape of approximately 18 hectares of grassland covered with pampas grass is spectacular, becoming a representative autumn scene of Hakone.
Recommended Itineraries for Hakone Tourism
1 Night, 2 Days Standard Course
Day 1:
- Morning: Arrive at Hakone Yumoto, explore the hot spring town
- Noon: Travel to Gora via Hakone Tozan Railway, have lunch
- Afternoon: Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Evening: Check in at a Gora hot spring inn
Day 2:
- Morning: Travel to Owakudani via Hakone Ropeway, purchase black eggs
- Noon: Hakone Sightseeing Boat cruise on Ashi Lake
- Afternoon: Visit Hakone Shrine, tour Hakone Barrier
- Evening: Purchase souvenirs at Hakone Yumoto, return home
Day-Trip Course
- Morning: Arrive at Hakone Yumoto, transfer via Hakone Tozan Railway, Cable Car, and Ropeway to Owakudani
- Noon: Eat black eggs at Owakudani, move to Tougen-dai for lunch
- Afternoon: Take Hakone Sightseeing Boat to Moto-Hakone Port, visit Hakone Shrine
- Evening: Return to Hakone Yumoto by bus, enjoy day-trip hot spring bathing and shopping
Precautions When Visiting Hakone
Information Regarding Volcanic Activity
Hakone is an active volcano, and volcanic gas is emitted around Owakudani. If the Japan Meteorological Agency raises the volcanic warning level, access to Owakudani may be restricted. It is recommended to check the latest information on the Hakone Town or Hakone Ropeway official websites before visiting.
Individuals with asthma or respiratory system disorders, those with heart conditions, and pregnant women are advised to refrain from entering Owakudani.
Climate and Attire
Since Hakone has high elevation, temperatures are lower than at lower elevations. Especially in early mornings and evenings, it becomes cold, so cold-weather measures appropriate to the season are necessary. It is advisable to bring a layer to wear even in summer.
Being a mountainous region, weather changes rapidly, and it is recommended to carry rain gear in preparation for sudden rain.
Peak Seasons
Hakone is a popular destination year-round, but particularly crowded during the following periods:
- Golden Week (late April to early May)
- Summer vacation period (late July through August)
- Fall foliage season (November)
- Year-end and New Year period (Hakone Ekiden time)
During these periods, accommodations and transportation facilities become crowded, making early reservations necessary.
Latest Developments and Future Prospects for Hakone
Opening of New Tourist Facilities
In recent years, new tourist facilities have successively opened in Hakone. In 2023, new attraction facilities were born in the Hakone and Ashi Lake area, providing new ways to enjoy Hakone beyond traditional hot spring and nature tourism.
Response to Inbound Tourism
As an international tourist destination, Hakone is strengthening its reception systems for foreign tourists through multilingual signage, Wi-Fi environment improvements, and cashless payment introduction. Sales of the Hakone Free Pass for foreign tourists have expanded, making it more accessible.
Efforts Toward Sustainable Tourism
Hakone Town is prioritizing ecotourism promotion and nature conservation activities to achieve both environmental preservation and tourism. Educational programs that convey volcanic blessings and the importance of nature are being offered through Hakone Geopark activities.
Conclusion: Enjoying Hakone’s Charms to the Fullest
Hakone is a representative comprehensive tourist destination in Japan, fusing abundant nature, diverse hot springs, historic sites, and fully-equipped tourist facilities. While accessible by day trip from Tokyo, it possesses such diverse attractions that visitors never tire even with a multi-day stay.
The abundant nature brought by the Hakone Volcano and hot springs, faith history continuing from ancient times, its role as a transportation hub in the Edo period, and development as an international tourist destination since the Meiji era—all these factors shape modern-day Hakone.
Hakone displays different faces each season, with new discoveries on every visit. Spring greenery, early summer hydrangeas, summer refuge from heat, autumn pampas grass and fall foliage, and winter snowy scenery with hot springs. One can enjoy Hakone’s charms throughout all four seasons.
The fact that approximately 30 million visitors come annually to Hakone Town, with a population of approximately 11,000, demonstrates how Hakone has developed centered on the tourism industry. Hakone’s efforts toward sustainable tourism development through coexistence between local residents and tourists merit future attention.
When visiting Hakone, rather than simply touring famous tourist attractions, you can have a deeper travel experience by engaging with Hakone’s history, nature, and regional culture. Check the latest information on official websites of Hakone Town Hall, Hakone Town Tourism Association, and Hakone Yumoto Tourism Association to enjoy a fulfilling Hakone trip.
