Travel Plans
Hakone

Plan a relaxing Hakone trip with guidance on its hot-spring culture, the loop using the mountain railway and ropeway, and highlights from Lake Ashi to its art museums, in the area's signature multi-transport style.

Hakone is a mountain hot-spring resort about ninety minutes from Tokyo, notable for its scattered springs with differing water qualities. A well-connected loop of the mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, and 'pirate ship' boats lets you tour the area, so the journey itself becomes part of the fun. Alongside natural scenery like Lake Ashi and Owakudani, Hakone has many high-quality art museums, making it easy to combine hot springs with culture.

Lake Ashi is the heart of Hakone, where the view from the sightseeing boats and Mount Fuji on clear days make a striking pair. At Owakudani you can see the volcanic steam vents up close and try the famous black eggs. The Hakone Open-Air Museum and the Pola Museum offer exhibitions in harmony with nature, ideal for unhurried viewing in a hot-spring setting. Gora and Hakone-Yumoto have many distinctive inns and good day-use baths.

Because Hakone is a loop-style destination, a free pass lets you use the various transport efficiently. Popular routes get crowded on weekends and holidays, and the ropeway and boats can have waits, so starting early in the morning is more comfortable. Weather changes quickly in the mountains, and Fuji views depend on time and season. If staying at a hot-spring inn, using luggage storage before and after check-in keeps your touring light.