Hakone walking tour & city guide

The Hakone loop

Most visitors follow the classic 'Hakone loop', using a series of connected transport links. The Hakone Tozan Railway climbs steep switchbacks through the forest, a cable car and ropeway then rise over the mountains, and a sightseeing boat shaped like a pirate ship crosses Lake Ashi before buses bring you back.

Along the ropeway, Owakudani is a steaming volcanic valley created by an eruption about 3,000 years ago. Sulfurous vents still hiss from the ground, and eggs boiled in the hot springs turn black; eating one is said to add seven years to your life.

Lake Ashi and the shrine

On the shore of Lake Ashi, the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine stands in the water, surrounded by cedar forest. It is one of the most photographed spots in the region, and when the weather is clear, Mount Fuji rises behind the lake.

Hakone also has excellent museums, including the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where sculptures stand in landscaped gardens, and the Pola Museum of Art.

Staying in Hakone

Spending a night in a ryokan with its own hot spring bath and a multi-course kaiseki dinner is the highlight of a Hakone visit. Mount Fuji is most often visible on clear winter mornings, while autumn foliage is spectacular in November. The Hakone Free Pass covers most transport in the area.