Hakone Hotels

If you can tear yourself away from the hot springs at Yumoto, make sure to explore the greenery of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park via a hike or, for another perspective, from the Hakone Tozan Cable Car. If your hunger for views is still raging, score a ride on the Hakone Tozan Railway to witness thousands of pretty hydrangea blooms and breathtaking scenery.

Feel like some art after all those views? Visit the POLA Museum of Art for some Cezanne, Monet and Renoir, and the Hakone Museum of Art for some classic Japanese works. No matter what you’re into, Hakone has relaxation covered.

Hakone’s Top 10

Hakone History

• Mount Fuji – One of the most prominent mountains, Mount Fuji is synonymous with Japan.
• Lake Ashinoko – A crater lake with scenic views makes it a popular tourist site in Hakone. Take a boat cruise from one end of the lake to the other.
• Owakudani – This is the “Great Boiling Valley” of Hakone and is a volcanic host spot of hot springs.
• Hakone Jinja Shrine – A Shinto shrine in Hakone that has torii gates in the water.
• Hakone Open Air Museum – The first open-air museum in Japan is home to hundreds of contemporary artworks.

Hakone Art & Culture

• Fuji-Hakone Izu National Park – Various spots that serve as tourist attractions and the ease of transportation to the site make it one of the most visited parks.
• Pola Museum – The museum was founded by a cosmetics company to display the collections of glassware, ceramics and sculptures by Suzuki Tsuneshi.
• Botanical Garden – This is found in Hakone and contains special alpine and moss plants.
• Hakone Tozan Railway – A special mountain railway line running through Mount Fuji and Hakone National Park.
• Hakone Checkpoint – Established by the military government in 1619, this checkpoint was set up to control traffic on Tokiado Highway.

Hakone Shopping

• Gotemba Outlet Mall – An outlet for international brands of household goods, electronics, fashion and sporting equipment.
• Ishida Aoyama Omotesando – Offering a relaxed environment, peruse the store in displays categorized by brands for exceptional watches and the latest brands.
• Owakudani Shop – Found in the Hakone Ropeway, this souvenir shop offers Japanese arts and crafts.
• Lake Ashi Shops – These shops have a variety of souvenirs, especially if you are on a budget.
• Fifth Station Shops – These have various souvenirs and a restaurant.

Gay & Lesbian Hakone

• Kappa Tengoku – Hotel in Hakone with a traditional Japanese ryokan that accommodates gays and lesbians.
• Fuji Hakone Guest House – The most popular accommodations for gays and lesbians in Hakone.
• Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa – Popular hotel known for accommodation for gays and lesbians.
• Hakone Ginyu – Ryokan-style accommodation that has hot spring baths for gays and lesbians.
• Kinokuniya Honkan – A traditional Japanese hotel that hosts gays and lesbians.

Hakone Outdoor

• Mountaineering – Climbing Mount Fuji is a major activity in Hakone.
• Sightseeing – With all its nature and gardens, Hakone is one of the best places for scenic views.
• Fishing – Lake Ashi in Hakone has many fishing spots.
• Golf – Hakone has three superb golf courses for all golf lovers.
• Spa and Wellness – Hakone hotels and resorts offer a number of spa treatments using hot spring baths and minerals.

Hakone Sport

• Experience golfing at the beautiful Fuji Haknoe Izu National Park.
• Enjoy a refreshing game of tennis at the Hotel Marroard Hakone.
• Hike the nature trails around Lake Ashi.
• Ski at the best resorts on Mount Fuji during winter in Hakone.
• Swim at the Odawara Resort and Spa Hilton.

Hakone Top 10

Head to Lake Ashi at the end of July for the Lantern Floating Festival, a beautiful Japanese tradition honouring the souls of the dead.

The Hakone Summer Festival (July/August) hosts includes the ‘Torii Burning’, when the locals build two massive gates along Lake Ashi, burn them and then watch their remains float away. Sounds bizarre but looks amazing.

Daimyo Gyoretsu is a must-see. This early November event features a huge chanting procession of hundreds dressed as armed samurai warriors and pretty princesses.

When To Go

This city has distinct seasons – very chilly winters and hot ’n’ humid summers. Winter averages at about 5°C (41°F) and summer can reach 29°C (84°F).

June is the wettest time of year, so be wary of getting caught in some serious storms around this time. The best months to avoid the rain? December and January.

If you want to enjoy plenty of pretty flora, head over in spring and summer. Blossoms galore!

Getting Around

Making your way around Hakone is simple, with a convenient network of trains, buses, trams, cable cars and even boats. They all run on scheduled timetables and are reasonably priced.

Grab a Hakone Free Pass for value and convenience. It can be used on all Odakyu transport and costs ¥5,000 for a two-day pass and ¥5,500 for a three-day pass.

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