Highlights
Hakone's Hot Springs
Created by nearby Mount Fuji’s volcanic activity, Hakone National Park is characterised by lush forests, shimmering lakes and over a dozen natural hot springs. You can bathe in these fascinating feats of nature while sipping tea, surrounded by dazzling volcanic views. This naturally heated water also sources the baths in many traditional ryokans, offering a more private bathing choice.
Owakudani
The Hakone Ropeway offers an incredible cable car experience, soaring over the bubbling hot springs and sulphurous fumes of the Owakudani volcanic valley. After a scenic ride – on which you may even catch glimpses of Mount Fuji - a short stroll from the station takes you past the fascinating heated pools and steam vents. The area is renowned for its unique black eggs, boiled in the sulphurous waters and said by locals to add seven years to your life span if eaten!
Japanese Culture
As well as staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan, your escape to Hakone guarantees an immersive and fascinating cultural experience. Located at the foot of Mount Hakone, Hakone Shrine is first recognised from its striking torii gates overlooking beautiful Lake Ashi, that lead through the thick forest to the main building. For a taste of traditional Japanese living, visit Amazake-chaya, a historic thatched teahouse that has been serving authentic amazake and mochi for over 360 years.
An Art Lover's Paradise
Hakone Open Air Museum is an incredible collection of 19th and 20th-century sculptures and art installations by renowned artists from Japan and beyond. The Picasso Pavilion features more than 300 of the famed painter’s masterpieces, while a number of Henry Moore’s abstract sculptures are also yours to peruse. Completed in 2017, the Enoura Observatory is just a short drive from Hakone in the coastal district of Odawara, affording panoramic views over the Bay of Sagami. A project from renowned photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, the stunning venue is simultaneously a performance space, gallery, art installation and tea house.