About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Area Map | Attractions
About
Hakone is one of the close "playgrounds" for Tokyo'ites and one of the most popular destinations for Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo. On weekends or holidays, people from Tokyo can quickly travel to and enjoy Hakone for a day trip or an over-night stay. Newer visitors will visit and enjoy the ropeways and museums while return visitors will tend to relax at the Ryokans (Japanese Inn) and enjoy just soaking in Hot Springs and eating great food. Hakone is famous for its upper class hotels, Hot Springs and Ryokans (Japanese Inns that have Hot Springs baths), Lake Ashinoko (some people just say Lake Ashi), Hakone Shrine (Hakone Gongen) and the view of Mt. Fuji (when weather cooperates). Hakone is less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo and can be reached from Tokyo by train in around 2 hours or bus in 2 to 3 hours (depending on traffic). During the weekends and holidays the area can become quite crowded so either plan on visiting during a weekday or expect crowds.
Hakone's main industry is tourism. It really is a "playground" geared toward adults but families also can enjoy the area. Popular destination sights include the volcanically active Owakudani (an area that looks barren and "hell like" with hot steam geysers), Hakone Shrine on the shore of the Lake Ashi, and the ropeway rides "Hakone Ropeway" and "Hakone Komagatake Ropeway" where you may be able to catch a nice view of Mt. Fuji as you ride. The area also has many art museums including the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Okada Museum of Art, and Pola Museum of Art.
The Hakone area has been used by the Japanese people since ancient times. Hakone Shrine is said to have been built during the Heian period (794 - 1185) and a famous Daimyo prayed at the shrine for victory over his enemies (unfortunately he was defeated at the Battle of Ishibashiyama and the area came under control of the Houjyou Clan during the "Warring States Period", i.e. the Sengoku Period). During the Edo Period (1603 - 1868) the area was a "Post Station" on the Toukaidou Road (the main highway connecting Edo, i.e. Tokyo to Kyoto). This Post Station was a checkpoint for all travelers entering and leaving Edo. At the time, "Tokugawa Laws" were very strict and everyone was checked (especially for weapons). After the Meiji Restoration (start 1868) the Hakone area became part of Kanagawa Prefecture which includes Yokohama and Odawara.
Access
The "Access" Graphic above is a simplified "Quick Glance" at transportation options. Due to fluctuating schedules & pricing, Times & Costs are subject to change.
Which route to take?
If you are planning on spending a night plus two full days exploring around Hakone, the Hakone Free Pass (see below for more information) is the way to go. Even if you have a JR Pass, the Hokone Free Pass will save you money in the long run and make it easy to get around. If you have a JR Pass and will only be staying at a hotel in Hakone WITHOUT riding the Hakone Ropeway and or taking a Hakone Sightseeing Cruise around the lake, riding the Shinkansen to Odawara (free with your pass) and changing and paying the Hakone Tozan Railway fee would be the better method. Finally, if you won't be doing much sightseeing (Hakone Ropeway or taking a Hakone Sightseeing Cruise), will be just relaxing at your hotel and an Odakyu Bus goes directly to your hotel, the Odakyu Highway Bus may be your best option
from Shinjuku (Tokyo)
- by Train
- Romance Car or Super-Hakone(Vse) and the Hakone Tozan Railway (Local Train) - around 2,440 yen and takes approximately 2 hours 9 min.
- by Bus
- Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus - around 2,200 yen (depending on your final destination) and takes approximately 2 hours 30 min. (longer if there is traffic)
from Tokyo
- by Train
- Shinkansen and the Hakone Tozan Railway (Local Train) - around 4,410 yen and takes approximately 2 hours 30 min.
The Hakone Free Pass is a good deal if you plan on staying 2 or 3 days in the Hakone Area. It includes the round trip from Tokyo to Hakone and unlimited use of selected trains, cablecars, ropeways, boats and buses in the Hakone area.
| Hakone Free Pass | ||||
| 2 Day Pass | 3 Day Pass | |||
| Departure Station | Adults | Children | Adults | Children |
| from Shinjuku | 5,140 yen | 1,500 yen | 5,640 yen | 1,750 yen |
| from Odawara | 4,000 yen | 1,000 yen | 4,500 yen | 1,250 yen |
Prices subject to change. Please Visit the Official Hakone Free Pass page for exact up-to-date costs, rules and regulations.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
Area Map
Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Hakone. View all Attractions in Hakone.
Hakone Open Air Museum
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (last entry 30 min. before closing)
Closed: No closing days
Cost: 18+: 1,600 yen | 15-18: 1,200 yen | 5-14: 800 yen | Purchase tickets online for a small discount. Large groups receive discounts as well.
Map: Google Map
Hakone Open Air Museum by Kentaro Ohno (CC BY 2.0) Opened in 1969 the Hakone Open-Air Museum is an "Open Air" art museum in Hakone Japan. There are various different sections and exhibition spaces outdoors and indoors. The museum has a permanent display of around 120 masterpieces by famous modern a... more details
Hakone Komagatake Ropeway
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Closed: Aways open but may close during very bad weather and or strong winds
Cost: 800 yen (one way) or 1300 yen (round trip) per person. Note that there is a 15 percent discount for Hakone Free Pass holders.
Map: Google Map
The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway is an "Aerial Lift Line" in Hakone famous for its surrounding views of the Hakone Area and Mt. Fuji. The ropeway starts down near Lake Ashinoko and climbs to the top of Mt. Komagatake and was built in 1963 by Izu Hakone Railway. The Komagatake Ro... more details
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
Hours: First ship leaves around 9:00 a.m., Last around 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Never, view the Timetable on Official Site.
Cost: 13+: One Way 1,000 yen, RT 1,840 yen | Under 13: One Way 500 yen, RT 910 yen | If you want a private cabin, +500 - +800 yen. Other discounts tickets available.
Map: Google Map
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise by Cha (CC BY 3.0) Hakone Sightseeing Cruise is a sightseeing cruise across Lake Ashi in Hakone Japan. There are currently 3 routes that cross the lake. The longest route takes approximately 30 min. The "Key" reason most people take the cruise is to get a good look or "pho... more details
Hakone Ropeway
Hours: Feb. 1 to Nov. 30 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Dec. 1 to Jan. 31 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Closed: Rarely (irregular), service may be suspended due to bad weather or regular inspection/maintenance.
Cost: (for full ride) 13+: One Way 1,450 yen, RT 2,550 | Under 13: One Way 730, RT 1,280 yen
Map: Google Map
Depending on the weather of course, Hakone Ropeway offers some great views of the Owakudani fissure, Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi and the surrounding area of Hakone. If the air is clear and there are not too many clouds, incredible views... but, if the air is hazy and or its cloudy... you won't see much. The... more details
Okada Museum of Art
Hours: Open: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry until 4:30 p.m.)
Closed: Irregular days, please call or visit website
Cost: 2,800 yen (for the museum and footbath), 300 yen (garden only), 500 yen (footbath only)
Map: Google Map
The Okada Museum of Art is a private museum in the Hakone Area that has a collection of pieces from antiquity to the modern era. It is a recently opened museum, opened in 2013 by Gambling Resort Mogul Okada Kazuo. The main theme of the museum is it's large collection of Chinese and... more details
Hakone Shrine
Hours: Always open
Cost: Free
Map: Google Map
Hakone Shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine on the shores of Lake Ashi in the Hakone Area. According to shrine fable the shrine was founded in 757 during the reign of Emperor Koushou. The main shrines buildings are located off the lake and back hidden in the dense forest while one of the Torii... more details
