CityBuddy
English
Things to Do in Hakone, Japan
Photo made by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com
When to visit
Plan your perfect trip to Hakone, Japan
Get a complete travel plan built just for you in under 30 seconds, with daily routes, local food tips, budget estimates and more.
Are any of these especially important to you?
Select all that apply
Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Hakone, Japan
1. Hakone Open Air Museum
View details, tips, opening times & moreArt lovers will be thrilled by over 120 sculptures set in stunning nature. Expect a visual feast blending world-class art with breathtaking landscapes.
Quick facts: Outdoor art enthusiasts can explore over 120 sculptures dotted across 70,000 square meters of beautiful landscape. The museum integrates art with natural surroundings, offering views of the mountains and hot springs nearby.
Highlights: A giant, colorful Picasso sculpture greets visitors right at the entrance, drawing attention with its playful shapes and vibrant hues. The museum's unique Open-Air Hot Springs exhibit lets you soak while admiring art around you, a combination rarely found anywhere else.
2. Hakone Shrine
View details, tips, opening times & moreStroll beneath a stunning crimson gate rising from the lake's surface. Experience peaceful trails surrounded by towering ancient trees and traditional spiritual serenity.
Quick facts: A towering red torii gate stands strikingly in the serene waters of a lake, welcoming visitors with a timeless charm. Hundreds of years of spiritual traditions quietly whisper through ancient cedar trees that crowd the paths.
Highlights: Legend says the majestic gate serves as a gateway between the physical world and sacred grounds, glowing in the misty mornings creating a magical atmosphere. The shrine's path weaves under a canopy of ancient trees whose shadows dance in the sunlight filtering through.
3. Owakudani Valley
View details, tips, opening times & moreExperience surreal volcanic landscapes and iconic black eggs that promise extra years of life. Breathe in sulfur-scented air and soak in incredible views of Mount Fuji nearby.
Quick facts: Nestled in a volcanic valley with steaming vents and bubbling pools, this spot is famous for its sulfuric hot springs and black eggs boiled in the natural hot water. A cable car ride grants stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days, adding a breathtaking backdrop to the otherworldly landscape.
Highlights: The area's volcanic activity is so intense that you can see steam rising from crevices all around and smell the sulfur in the air, giving you a genuine sense of nature's raw power. Local legend says eating one of the black eggs, cooked in the hot springs, adds seven years to your life, making the experience both fun and mystical.
4. Lake Ashi
View details, tips, opening times & moreExperience stunning mountain reflections and a peaceful boat ride. Capture iconic views while exploring scenic paths and cultural treasures.
Quick facts: A large volcanic crater lake has a mysterious fog that often rolls over its surface, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. The lake is famous for views of Mount Fuji reflecting on its waters, a sight that draws photographers worldwide.
Highlights: Colorful pirate ships float on the lake, offering boat tours with panoramic mountain views including the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji. Near the shore, a peaceful cedar-lined path leads to a historic shrine with a striking red torii gate that appears to float on the water at high tide.
5. Hakone Ropeway
View details, tips, opening times & moreFly high over volcanic valleys with epic views. Experience awe-inspiring landscapes and a refreshing breeze like no other.
Quick facts: Soaring above volcanic valleys and steaming vents reveals jaw-dropping panoramic views stretching to Mount Fuji on clear days. The ride covers approximately 4 kilometers, connecting multiple scenic points effortlessly.
Highlights: Glide over the Owakudani volcanic valley, where sulfur vents create a dramatic and ever-changing landscape below your feet. Catch the vivid contrast of bright green forests against steaming crater fields that pulse with geothermal energy.
6. Polà Museum of Art
View details, tips, opening times & moreDiscover exquisite Impressionist paintings set in a forest sanctuary. Experience art and nature harmoniously blending around you.
Quick facts: The museum showcases over 10,000 artworks including French Impressionist paintings and Japanese traditional arts. It blends nature and art beautifully, nestled in a lush forest with glass walls offering stunning views.
Highlights: Imagine walking through a serene forest path and suddenly stepping into galleries where Monet and Renoir paintings bask in natural light. The building's architecture integrates seamlessly with the greenery, blurring indoor and outdoor boundaries in a breathtaking experience.
7. Gora Park
View details, tips, opening times & moreA serene escape with stunning Mount Fuji views and seasonal blooms. Experience a traditional tea ceremony surrounded by vibrant cherry blossoms.
Quick facts: The park is nestled on the hillside, offering striking views of Mount Fuji when the weather is clear. It boasts beautifully landscaped gardens with seasonal flowers that change colors all year round.
Highlights: Its standout feature is the quaint tea house overlooking the serene pond, where visitors can join a traditional tea ceremony. Cherry blossoms bloom in dense clusters here, creating a pink canopy that feels like stepping into a fairytale during spring.
8. Odawara Castle
View details, tips, opening times & moreExplore the rich samurai heritage with panoramic views of Mount Fuji. Wander through scenic gardens and ancient stone defenses for a vivid journey back in time.
Quick facts: The castle served as a strategic defense point against rival samurai clans and withstood several sieges throughout its history. Visitors can see the robust stone walls and reconstructed keep that highlight its feudal military significance.
Highlights: A unique feature includes the stunning panoramic views of Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji visible from the top floor. On clear days, the surrounding gardens burst into vibrant colors, especially during cherry blossom season, creating a breathtaking atmosphere.
Additional popular things to do in Hakone, Japan
Curated tours, tickets, and activities recommended by travelers
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Kuzumochi
Kuzumochi is a jelly-like sweet made from the starch of the kudzu plant, enjoyed for its smooth texture and subtle sweetness, often served with kinako (roasted soybean flour).
Yuba Sweets
Yuba, or tofu skin, is creatively used in desserts in Hakone, combining the delicate soy flavor with sweet ingredients to highlight local soy culture.
Mitarashi Dango
Mitarashi Dango are skewered rice dumplings coated with a sweet soy glaze, a popular treat at Hakone's traditional tea houses and festivals.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Soba Noodles
Hakone's mountainous region provides ideal conditions for buckwheat cultivation, making soba noodles a beloved local staple often served with a dipping sauce or in hot broth.
Onsen Tamago
Onsen Tamago is a soft-cooked egg delicately prepared in the region's famous hot springs, resulting in a creamy texture that is distinctively enjoyed in Hakone.
Kaiseki Ryori
Kaiseki Ryori is a traditional multi-course meal that showcases seasonal ingredients and artistic presentation, deeply rooted in Hakone's culinary heritage.
Traditional Beverages
Hakone Sake
Hakone's pure mountain water contributes to the distinct smoothness and flavor of its locally brewed sake, a prized drink among visitors and locals alike.
Green Tea
Green tea is integral to Hakone's culture, often enjoyed during tea ceremonies and paired with the region's sweets for a balanced taste experience.
Yamato Umeshu
Yamato Umeshu is a plum wine that offers a sweet and tart flavor, made from local ume plums harvested in the Hakone area for a unique regional twist.
Get a PDF with the most popular attractions sent to your email
Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips. Perfect for offline use.
Most popular day trips
Kamakura
Historic town with temples, shrines, and the Great Buddha statue.
Tokyo
Japan’s bustling capital with endless shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Getting there
Train stations
Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokaido Main Line
Hakone Tozan Line
From Haneda or Narita, take the train to Odawara, then transfer to Hakone Tozan Line to reach Hakone.
Find flights to Hakone, Japan
Click to get eSim for Hakone, Japan
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Comments (10)
Buy a Hakone Free Pass if you're exploring multiple spots, saves a bunch on transport and entry fees.
Hakone's nature was stunning but I visited in early spring and it was chillier than expected, bring layers for sure.
Weather was kind of rainy half of my trip, so some outdoor activities were limited, better luck next time!
Really enjoyed local soba noodles around the station area, can't beat fresh mountain air and handmade food!
If you're into art, the Hakone Open Air Museum is worth the visit, very peaceful and unique sculptures everywhere.