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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 26 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Rob Goss

As overnight trips from Tokyo go, it’s hard to beat the mountainous Hakone region – under 90 minutes west of the city centre by train.

A trip here takes you close to iconic Mount Fuji, at 3,776 metres Japan’s tallest peak. Add in boat trips with Fuji views on Lake Ashi, superb art at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, cable car trips to the volcanic Owakudani Valley, and more onsen (natural hot springs) baths that you could dip a toe into, and there’s plenty to please even the most discerning visitor.

The area is also home to dozens of ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) where guests stay in tatami mat rooms, are served multi-course kaiseki dinners and soak in in-house, private onsen – classic traditional Japanese hospitality. If time allows, book into a ryokan for an overnight stay and get the full cultural experience.

Owakudani

Hakone, Kanto, Japan

Tourists at the volcanic valley of Owakudani in Japan. Owakudani has many active sulphur vents and hot springs in Hakone, Japan.

Formed by an eruption several thousand years ago, this volcanic valley features bubbling hot-spring pools, billowing steam vents and Mount Fuji views. You can walk around parts of it, but it looks best from above on the Hakone Ropeway.

Best for ages 6+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Frequency: annually

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Boat tour on Lake Ashi

Hakone, Kanto, Japan

Boat tour on Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi, with its forested rim punctuated by the red gateway of Hakone Shrine and the white-capped Fuji looming behind, is the classic Hakone photo op. Jump on the pirate galleon sightseeing boats for a tour.

Adult price: £12

Best for ages 6+

Duration: 1-2 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Frequency: annually

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More details >

Hakone Open-air Museum

Hakone, Kanto, Japan

Sculptures in the open air museum

Contemporary sculptures, art, and nature converge in this art museum with more than 100 outdoor pieces by Rodin, Moore, and Miro, plus a 300-piece indoor Picasso collection.

Adult price: £10

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Frequency: annually

Yu Nessun

Hakone, Kanto, Japan

Yu Nessun

About as close as you’ll get to a hot-spring theme park, Yu Nessun has 23 indoor and outdoor public baths, ranging from traditional looking affairs to fun, gimmicky tubs infused with wine, sake and coffee.

Adult price: £5

Min age 3

Best for ages 6+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Frequency: annually

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More details >
Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
Frequency: annually
When: March, May and Sept
Duration: 2-3 hours

Getting there & doing it

The best way to get there from Tokyo is on the Odakyu Romance Car. Pre-booking online is not essential, but advisable.

There are numerous organised tours from Tokyo, but it’s fairly easy to do it independently. Odakyu has a great self-guided model course for taking in Hakone’s main attractions. You can get a brochure at the ticket office. It will lead you on a trip that takes in an open-air museum, a volcanic valley, views of Fuji, Hakone Shrine, and a boat trip on picturesque Lake Ashi.

There are numerous organsied tours from Tokyo, but it’s fairly easy to do it independently. Odakyu has a great self-guided model course for taking in Hakone’s main attractions. Details are online but you can also get a brochure at the ticket office. It will lead you on a trip that takes in an open-air museum, a volcanic valley, views of Fuji, Hakone Shrine, and a boat trip on picturesque Lake Ashi.

Before you go, get a money-saving 2-day or 3-day Hakone Free Pass at Shinjuku Station. This covers the 80-minute train trip on the Odakyu Romance Car both ways between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto, plus unlimited rides on all the transportation services you’ll need to get around Hakone – local railway, ropeway, cable car, Lake Ashi sightseeing boat, buses, and more. Buy the passes at the ticket machines by the gates to the Odakyu Line or at the station’s Odakyu Sightseeing Service Centre.

When to do it

There’s no bad time to visit Hakone, but the spring colours of April and May and autumnal hues of October and November are the most scenic. However, those times and the summer holidays also bring the biggest crowds.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Private Sightseeing to Mount Fuji and Hakone guide photographer

Tokyo

Private Sightseeing to Mount Fuji and Hakone guide photographer
We are providing 1-day trip which includes Mt Fuji and Hakone. You will be picked up from your hotel. We only provide private charters which ensure your full satisfaction and comfortable. This 1-day trip is fully customizable in fact we are open for your suggestions. We will visit Mt Fuji area and Hakone 1 day lake Kawaguchi, Kachi kachi ropeway, Mt fuji 5th station (if weather permitted) (Hakone ) Lake Ashi,Pirate cruise. Owakudani Fuji Area Only Suggested Itinerary : Mt Fuji 5th Station Lake Kawaguchi Kachi Kachi Ropeway Arashiyama Shrine Kita hongou Sengen shrine Chureito Pagoda Oshino Hakkai You have to choose either 1 itinerary. We can customize places with Hakone but please understand we cannot do fuji sorrundings and Hakone itinerary. We provide English speaking guide.

Price: $540

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [880 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Mt Fuji, Hakone Lake Ashi Cruise Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo

Tokyo

Mt Fuji, Hakone Lake Ashi Cruise Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
Discover some of Japan’s most famous highlights on a full-day guided tour from Tokyo. Travel to Mt Fuji’s bustling 5th Station and learn about the revered mountain. Continue to nearby Lake Ashi for a short boat cruise, followed by a ride on the Mt Komagatake Ropeway. Climb by aerial tram to the top of Mt Komagatake and get fantastic views of the Owakudani volcanic valley, Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji. Return to Tokyo by bullet train in the evening. Enjoy the ease of included transportation, entry fees and a knowledgeable guide.

Price: ¥18,500

Min age: 0

Rating 4.04 / 5 [5424 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Full-Day Hakone and Mt. Fuji Tour with Bilingual driver

Tokyo

Private Full-Day Hakone and Mt. Fuji Tour with Bilingual driver
Hakone is famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mt. Fuji, Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists. You will visit Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone Shrine / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu, Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Gora Park and Hakone Ropeway (via Owakudani). Relax and enjoy this tour in a private luxury vehicle with friendly and English speaking driver.

Price: ¥69,200

Min age: 0

Rating 4.49 / 5 [65 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Mount Fuji and Hakone Private Tour with english speaking driver

Tokyo

Mount Fuji and Hakone Private Tour with english speaking driver
Competition for the most beautiful region of Japan is fierce but Hakone is a serious contender. It’s no secret that Hakone is one of the most popular and accessible day trip destinations from Tokyo. What keeps people coming back is its famous hot springs and vastly untouched nature. Not to mention, on a lucky day, visitors can get a perfect glimpse of Mount Fuji from afar. Perhaps most strikingly, Hakone is heaps quieter, which is why even locals come here for a respite from the busy city on weekends. As this is a private tour, itinerary can be tailored according to your interests. Hassle free and comfortable way of visiting Fuji and Hokone. P.S All the location’s mentioned in the itinerary can’t be cover in one day, you can make own personalized itinerary with the help of driver on the tour day.

Price: ¥79,000

Min age: 0

Rating 4.48 / 5 [83 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Tour: Chartered Car to Mt. Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko or Hakone and Lake Ashi

Tokyo

Private Tour: Chartered Car to Mt. Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko or Hakone and Lake Ashi
A full day to take the best shots of the scenic Mt Fuji and have cultural experiences. In this activity you can choose on either spending the day around the most popular Lake Kawaguchi and five lakes of Mt Fuji, starting from a perfect shot at the Arakurasengen Park for a panoramic view of Mt Fuji and the five-story pagoda on your background etc,. The other choice will be Hakone well-known place for its hot spring resort, Hakone Shrine with its torii gate standing on the Lake Ashi where cruising is also recommended and ride a ropeway to reach for another scenic view from 1327 meter high. Your guide will be picking you up at your requested central location in Tokyo at 8:30 am. Lunch will be served with the local traditional dish of the region at your expense. Please tell us how you would like to spend your day and we will be happy to give you the best of it.

Price: ¥1,60,000

Min age: 0

Rating 4.92 / 5 [222 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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