Top Things to Do in Hakone: Best Activities & Must-Sees
Fancy a nature break less than two hours from Tokyo? Hakone is the dream getaway! From its mountain scenery and proximity to Mount Fuji to cruises on Lake Ashi, hot springs and open-air museums, the region brings together everything travellers come to Japan for: tranquillity, traditions and the art of living!
🏞️ Popular Activities in Hakone and Great-value Prices
- 🌊 Lake Ashi ⛴️ – Shore access is free, cruises from £8 – Volcanic lake with views of Mount Fuji
- 🌋 Owakudani 🥚 – Access included with passes/cable car – Steaming volcanic valley and sulphurous black eggs
- 🚡 Hakone Ropeway 🏔️ – From £9.61 – Panoramic cable car over the mountains and the crater
- 🎨 Hakone Open-Air Museum 🖼️ – Prices vary by season – Open-air sculpture park + Picasso Pavilion
- ♨️ Hakone Kowakien Yunessun 💦 – From £10.09 – Fun hot spring water park with themed baths
📅 How to Visit Hakone in 1 or 2 Days?
Smaller than its neighbouring towns, with only 10,000 residents, Hakone can be explored on a day trip from Tokyo or by spending one or two nights. Ideally, to fully enjoy the onsen (the famous Japanese hot springs) and the relaxed mountain rhythm, it’s best to devote at least two days.
Here are some simple, practical itinerary ideas based on your traveller profile and your preferences:
Length of stay | Couples | Family | Friends | Solo |
1 day | Lake Ashi + cruise + Hakone Ropeway + Owakudani + onsen | Lake Ashi + pirate ship + Hakone Open-Air Museum | Lake Ashi + Owakudani + cable car + Hakone-jinja Shrine | Lake Ashi + Owakudani + cable car + onsen |
2 days | Day 1: Lake Ashi tour + Owakudani + ropeway Day 2: open-air museum + onsen in a ryokan | Day 1: pirate ship + ropeway + Owakudani Day 2: Yunessun hot spring water park + stroll around Hakone-Yumoto | Day 1: Lake Ashi + Owakudani + ropeway Day 2: hike + communal onsen | Day 1: classic loop + open-air museum Day 2: temples, cafés, writing or reading in peace and quiet |
👉 How many days should you spend in Hakone?
- In 1 day, you can easily visit Hakone and take the time to stop at the main sights.
- In two days, you’ll have time to take a breather, go to the museum and enjoy the thermal baths as well: it’s most certainly the best compromise!
🎁 Get 5% off & save up to £2 on your first Hakone Attractions & Tours booking! 👇
Hakone's Top Attractions and Tours
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🔥 Top 5 Activities and Landmarks in Hakone
You’ll realise it once you’re there: Hakone is still a very small town. Even so, we’ve handpicked a few must-see sights and unmissable activities to do so you can fully enjoy your day or stay.
Lake Ashi: a postcard-perfect view of Mount Fuji
Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) is undoubtedly the symbol of Hakone. Bordered by wooded mountains, it offers, on clear days, a dreamy view of Mount Fuji silhouetted on the horizon.
The best activity near Lake Ashi? Its cruises! Weather permitting, plenty of cruises are on offer around the lake for a soothing experience with dreamy scenery.
Along the lakeshore, don’t miss Hakone-jinja Shrine and its grand red torii planted in the water—one of the region’s most iconic photo spots. The shores also offer several short walks, cafés with a view, and viewpoints perfect for immortalising your stay.
📌 Tips : some boats are shaped like pirate ships, much to the delight of families and children!
Lake Ashi Cruise
4.6/5
38 Reviews
the pirate ship is nicely decorated full of the pirate ship experience haha , the ride is good , although the weather was a bit cloudy£8
Owakudani: the steaming valley of black eggs
Second unmissable spot in Hakone: Owakudani! It’s actually an active volcanic valley, where you’ll almost certainly see sulphurous steam rising from the ground. The scenery is rocky, sometimes shrouded in steam, with the mountains as a backdrop and, on clear days, Mount Fuji (the view is spectacular!).
You’ll notice it straight away: the smell of sulphur is hard to miss as you approach the volcano, a vivid reminder that you’re on a volcanic site that’s very much alive. Specially built observation platforms let you stroll safely while admiring the fumaroles rising from the grey rocks. With a bit of luck and on a clear day, the contrast between Owakudani’s lunar landscape and the majestic Mount Fuji in the background is simply magical!
When you're there, make sure you don't miss the famous black eggs (kuro-tamago) cooked in the sulphurous hot springs. Rest assured, their black colour simply comes from the shell, which blackens on contact with the minerals, but the inside remains perfectly normal and delicious.
📌Fun fact: legend has it that eating a black egg adds seven years to your life… it’s up to you how many you take home!
Owakudani
4.6/5
328 Reviews
Don't leave Hakone without visiting Owakudani
Walk through the smoky sulfur valley and try the famous Black Eggs, boiled in natural volcanic waters. Legend has it that eating one egg adds 7 years to your life so I definitely had to grab some.The Hakone Ropeway: the panoramic cable car
From the moment you arrive, the very first thing you’ll almost certainly want to do is hop aboard these charming traditional little cable cars! The Hakone Ropeway links several key spots in the region, including Lake Ashi, Owakudani and Sounzan. The cabins soar over forests, valleys and volcanic areas to offer one of Hakone’s most beautiful panoramas.
The full ride takes around 30 minutes and lets you soar above the mountain landscapes surrounding Hakone. The modern, all-glass cabins offer 360° views of the surrounding nature. A breathtaking view!
As you gradually ascend towards Owakudani, you’ll see fumaroles appear in the distance. And finally, on clear days, you’ll very likely catch sight of Mount Fuji, the surrounding mountains, and the changing colours of the seasons: delicate spring greens, flamboyant autumn hues, and sometimes a blanket of snow in winter. The journey is an integral part of the Hakone experience—both a way to get around and an activity in its own right!
Hakone Ropeway
4.7/5
29 Reviews
What beautiful scenery!£9
The Hakone Open-Air Museum: art and the mountain
The Hakone Open-Air Museum (musée en plein air de Hakone) is often a delightful surprise for travellers. Relatively little-known, this one-of-a-kind museum will transport you out of time. Set in a large, rolling park, it showcases monumental outdoor sculptures that blend seamlessly into the landscape. You’ll also find indoor galleries, including a pavilion dedicated to Picasso (more than 300 pieces are on display!).
The way the artworks blend into the natural landscape creates a unique, soothing atmosphere. You wander between giant sculptures, artistic fountains and contemporary installations, all set against the backdrop of Hakone’s mountains. Some pieces invite interaction; others encourage contemplation. You’ll indeed see plenty of locals who sometimes come to meditate on site beside these masterpieces.
This visit is delightful in every season, whether you’re with family, travelling solo or as a couple. At the end of the route, you can enjoy a hot spring foot bath with mountain views. An ideal moment to unwind before getting back on the road.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum
4.7/5
97 Reviews
Art and nature coexist, there's a dedicated online gaming area for kids, and a warm foot bath available for free. Highly recommended!£8
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun: traditional and unique onsens
Fancy trying onsen without having to follow all the strict rules of traditional baths? Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a hot-spring water park that blends a spa atmosphere with playful fun! You’ll find outdoor pools with mountain views, plus aromatised baths (wine, coffee, green tea…), water slides, and a covered indoor area.
It's the perfect spot for a relaxing day with family or friends, especially if you're travelling with people who are uneasy about the nudity in classic onsen. The complex also includes a more traditional section, separated by gender, so you can enjoy a more authentic Japanese experience.
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
4.6/5
16 Reviews
It was easy to use, which was great.£6
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Our Top Picks for Hakone Hotels
5 star
Great641 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|5.6km from city centre
Pure perfection in the hills of Hakone
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Indigo Hotel Hakone is simply a beautiful hotel. From the moment you arrive, the design, ambiance, and attention to detail impress; modern elegance that blends seamlessly with nature.
Everything is spotless. The cleanliness throughout the property is impeccable, but the real standout is the bed. I mean it is ultra comfortable. I slept better here than I have in months. The perfect firmness, quality linens, just heaven.
And the food? Uber delicious. Breakfast and dinner alike were stunning — beautifully presented, full of local flavor, and every bite memorable.
The staff are more than helpful! They were warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. They went out of their way to assist with everything from onsen etiquette to transport advice.
To top it off, the surrounding is peaceful and serene. Tucked away in the mountains with forest views and fresh air, the perfect escape from Tokyo or Kyoto.
Highly recommend. Worth every penny.From£173
Great771 Reviews
Kowakidani/Miyanoshita Hakone|5.7km from city centre
We stayed here for 1 night and we loved everything about it - the room layout, the buffet dinner (fresh sashimi!) , breakfast (with snow crab!), and the crown Jewel of all : the onsen, both private and public. There’s a Family Mart convenience store nearby if you need snacks or drinks. Our pleasant surprise was the public bus to Gotemba factory outlet - and the first bus stop is right outside the hotel thus you’d be guaranteed a seat! Our stay at Ten-Yu was wonderful and, and I’d highly recommend to couples on vacation.From£207
Great217 Reviews
Kowakidani/Miyanoshita Hakone|4.55km from city centre
The forest-view rooms are located in the wing built in the 1960s. The decor isn't just retro; it's genuinely vintage. You can tell they used quality materials and had good taste, but it definitely feels dated. The public bath is conveniently located on the 6th floor of the forest wing. The shower stalls have dividers, so privacy is decent. If you're not comfortable using the public bath, the hot water in the room's bathtub is actually hot spring water, so you can enjoy a private soak in your room.
The hotel itself has a lot to offer. There's a hiking trail behind it where you can see Mount Fuji, but it takes about an hour, and I didn't have time for it this trip.
For breakfast, you can choose between Western or Japanese. The Japanese breakfast requires a reservation. Our timing didn't work out, so we had Western breakfast for two days. The menu was exactly the same both days, and while the dishes were standard, they were meticulously prepared.
As a hotel that was once a showcase for Japan's opening to the West, you can feel the high standards of design and service everywhere. Most of the guests are older, which reminds me a bit of China's Friendship Hotel. For families with children, the hotel provides kids' yukata and toiletries, and you can buy fish food for 100 yen to feed the koi, which made the kids very happy.From£172
Amazing106 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|6.62km from city centre
The hotel's shuttle service made getting around incredibly easy. We pre-booked it on Ctrip, and the shuttle to/from Odawara was right on schedule. It also offered flexible pickups and drop-offs at several attractions. After returning to the hotel, a soak in the hot spring was the perfect way to unwind and wash away the day's fatigue.From£192
Amazing71 Reviews
Kowakidani/Miyanoshita Hakone|5.43km from city centre
🎉The hotel is located in Hakone Kowakidani. It was formerly a villa built by the Mitsui Zaibatsu during the Taisho period of Japan. The ancient building is a registered tangible cultural property of the Japanese state. It has now been transformed into a restaurant and lounge of Songcuiyuan.
🎈The hotel is in a Japanese garden style, surrounded by pine trees and bamboo forests, creating a quiet and secluded environment. It has 6 buildings, including 1 restaurant and bar, 1 front desk, hot spring, SPA, and 4 buildings with a total of 23 rooms.
‼ ️Each room has a private bath, the Minibar is full, except for champagne, all are free🆓, there are many hot spring drinks, which can quickly replenish electrolytes
💡It is said that the rooms are named after people, and these names are all nobles who have helped the owner of Fufu🎐
♨️The public bath is small, with indoor➕outdoor➕sauna, few guests and good privacy👍
💆🏻♀️The cooperative SPA is Sisley, which is worth a try, the effect and experience are perfect🆙
🍱One night and two meals, there are Japanese and Western options, Japanese dinner is Kaiseki🍣, Western dinner is Teppanyaki🥩, the menu will be carefully designed for consecutive stays, and try to ensure that the dishes are different every day💯 Desserts were specially made for birthdays and photos were taken as souvenirs. They were given to us as gifts at breakfast the next day. It was very heartwarming.
🚗The hotel is conveniently located, with many attractions nearby. You can walk to the Okada Museum of Art, the Open-Air Museum, etc.From£392
Great74 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|8.8km from city centre
The hotel is located in a very secluded mountainous area. I stayed in an open-air hot spring villa with a large courtyard, and soaking in the hot spring was incredibly relaxing and wonderful, whether it was cloudy or sunny, day or night. The courtyard was beautiful on rainy days. The entire villa area was almost completely silent; aside from occasionally seeing people at mealtimes, I barely saw anyone else, which was very pleasant. The hot springs were also excellent, leaving my skin feeling smooth and moisturized. The room had a living room with a fireplace and a Bluetooth speaker, making it spacious and warm. This was the hotel's biggest draw.
However, some small details were lacking. Some villas don't have parking, like mine, and walking to the parking lot was quite a trek. The bathroom area wasn't well-heated; the shower and toilet rooms were very cold unless the door was left open. The hotel's toiletries need improvement; the cotton pads were unusable, of very poor quality, falling apart into shreds when I tried to wipe my face. The bedding was also quite mediocre, not comfortable at all, and the mattress felt saggy. However, the linens were very clean and fresh, which was good.
Cleanliness was so-so. Both the hot spring pool and the shower room, being made of wood, are prone to mold, and the hotel should clean them more thoroughly.
The Kaiseki dinner was very ordinary. The taste and ingredients were unremarkable, though the price was also reasonable. There's no need to eat the hotel's Kaiseki if you have other options.
The service was decent. They thoughtfully sent champagne for our anniversary, which was a nice touch. Check-in and check-out were handled in the room, and other services were quite proactive.From£189
Business travel
Great908 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|0.19km from city centre
This was the best hotel I stayed at during my Chinese New Year trip to Japan, though it was also the most expensive. The hotel is right by the Hakone-Yumoto station exit, just across the little red bridge, which is incredibly convenient for families with luggage or young children.
The hotel itself is comparable to a 4- to 5-star hotel in China. Both the service and facilities were excellent. They offer both private and public onsen baths. The private bath costs 2000 yen for 45 minutes, while the public one is free.
We opted for the private bath. We arrived at the hotel at noon, dropped off our luggage, booked our private bath slot, and then went out to explore. The hotel even separates luggage storage for check-in and check-out, which is a nice touch.
In the afternoon, you can explore the street in front of Hakone-Yumoto station, check out transportation options for the next day, and enjoy some local food. Of course, if you're short on time, you can also just drop your bags and hop on a train to start your journey.
The room was also very spacious. We booked a triple room, and it was the biggest room I've stayed in during all my trips to Japan over the past few years.
I must particularly mention that on our first afternoon, someone in our group was feeling unwell with a headache and vomiting. We approached the front desk before 2 PM, hoping to check in early and let them rest. The front desk staff were incredibly enthusiastic and processed our early check-in immediately.
Another thing that happened was I realized I'd lost my wireless Bluetooth earphones after returning to Tokyo, and I suspected they might have been left at the hotel. Since I didn't have a phone number, I contacted the hotel via email. The very next day, hotel customer service replied. They not only looked for them in our room but also searched in the hotel's public areas. Although they weren't found, I was still very satisfied with the service of the Japanese hotel staff.
I would definitely choose this hotel again for my next trip to Hakone. Also, a tip for everyone: this area perfectly combines liveliness and tranquility. Other places, in my opinion, are either too far (requiring long train rides) or too desolate.From£126
Great41 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|1.39km from city centre
Yama No Chaya has its own beauty and serenity. I personally don’t find it hard to locate - 2 bus stops away from Hakone Yumoto station + a 5 minutes walk are worth the stay. (Bus service stopped for one of the days due to bad weather and we walked for 20 minutes to Hakone Yumoto Station - all good)
The team is very hospitable - they also have some English and Chinese speaking staff otherwise simple English is not an issue to communicate. Our butler - Sandip always carry a smile with him, and he ensured we are very well taken care of. Every morning, the team will prepare heat pack and umbrellas for us (it was raining and snowing). In the evening, they made tea and prepared snacks (vary from mochi to sushi) for us upon our returned.
The room we booked is Yamano Ichigo (main wing) - just nice for 2. The viewing platform was where we relaxed every evening and we soaked our tiredness away in our very own private onsen at the basement. Despite of having our own private onsen, I still went to visit 3 other public onsen within the Ryokan - you will not be disappointed.
Our room came with daily breakfast and we added on dinner for 1 night. I must say the chef and culinary team put in their passion and effort to prepare all the dishes. It’s not common for a visitor like me to taste Kaisekai cuisine which I enjoyed very much. You need to take time and an empty stomach to full experience it :) However, my partner and I weren’t used to heavy breakfast and our butler noticed it - we get to change to western style for the rest of the stay which was equally delicious. We are thankful that we minimised food wastage.
Overall, we felt pampered during our stay at Yama no Chaya :) I will return again in the future when I visit Hakone.From£240
Great245 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|1.19km from city centre
Our experience staying in Hakone was perfect! We stayed at the Tensein in Hakone-Yumoto, an easy location to take the bus, car or train to some popular tourist attractions in the area.
The check in itself was rather slow but the staff do their best to speak good English and discuss every detail about your stay with you. The room had everything we needed, the shampoo and conditioners provided was wonderful and there was a variety of products to use.
On check in, the private onsen was given at 50% discount at 1,100 Japanese yen per use, we got 2 vouchers so used it 2 times (as we have tattoos we could not go into the public onsen). On check in you have to collect your towel and your choice of Yukata (traditional Japanese robe) which you’re welcomed and encouraged to wear around the hotel and gardens.
The hotel is strictly no shoes, so upon arrival you leave your shoes in a locked box and keep the key. If you wish to walk around the beautiful gardens, there are slider type shoes available to slip on, as well as umbrellas to use if it’s raining. Outside they have a onsen for your feet to enjoy with a drink.
All of the food and drink (apart from breakfast which was included) was put on our bill at the end. There was a wide selection of drinks, nibbles and food available for dinner and lunches at the dining room and there was a large buffet dining room for buffet breakfast and dinner (if you booked it).
The hotel is just a short 10 minute walk to the town and 15 minute walk to the Hakone-Yumoto station. Visiting Mt Fuji is easy, with a bus ‘H’ running from stand 2 opposite the Hakone -Yumoto station. Get off at ‘Motohakone’. From there, you can take another bus and a train to get you to another town ‘Gora’ and surrounding attractions to enjoy.From£78
Great447 Reviews
Lake Ashi Hakone|9.95km from city centre
I absolutely loved this hotel! Everything from booking, arranging the shuttle via email, to check-in and check-out, was incredibly smooth. The private onsen, which I reserved in advance via email, was also a wonderful experience. The location is fantastic, right next to Togendai – just a 5-minute walk away. It's super convenient for visiting Owakudani and taking the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise. If the hotel shuttle schedule doesn't work for you, you can easily catch a bus from Togendai to Odawara hub. What's more, the Togendai bus runs every 15 minutes, and it's the starting point, so you'll never have to worry about not getting a seat or a place for your luggage. The hotel's buffet breakfast and dinner, with free-flowing drinks, were also a highlight. Most importantly, my husband left his headphones at the hotel. When we realized, we were already in Kamakura, preparing to head to Yokohama. We immediately called the hotel, and their response was incredibly fast. They quickly located the headphones and sent them via courier to the nearest express pickup point at our Yokohama hotel. We received them successfully before returning home. A huge thank you! I highly recommend this hotel to everyone. There was not a single thing to complain about throughout our stay.From£139
Very Good212 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|1km from city centre
This hotel offers an excellent overall experience! The room was clean, tidy, and cozy, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. The front desk staff and other service personnel were very welcoming, and both check-in and check-out were handled efficiently. The location is also fantastic, with plenty of dining options and convenient transportation nearby. The breakfast selection was rich and the quality was good. Overall, it's great value for money, and I will definitely choose to stay here again on my next visit.From£88
Amazing412 Reviews
Lake Ashi Hakone|9.21km from city centre
Staying at this hotel again on a rainy day, and the surroundings are still beautiful. This time, I booked a room in the annex. The room was spacious, and I got a fantastic deal on Trip.com – excellent value for money! Most hotels here only allow check-in after 3 PM, so we decided to explore first and then took the Lake Ashi cruise to the hotel's shuttle bus stop to get to the hotel.From£150
Family friendly
Great162 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|1.51km from city centre
My husband and I stayed at Hotel Okada for 2 nights for our honeymoon, and it was a truly wonderful experience.
• Honeymoon Surprise: The staff provided excellent service and even prepared a thoughtful welcome gift for our honeymoon, which made us feel very special.
• The Room & Amenities: Our room was spacious, spotless, and very quiet. The highlight was definitely the private open-air bath in the room—so relaxing and peaceful. We were also pleasantly surprised to find complimentary skincare sets and facial masks provided in the room. It shows great attention to detail.
• Dining: Both the breakfast and dinner buffets offered a wide variety of delicious options.
• Location: Getting to the train station is easy with the shuttle bus that runs on a reliable schedule. If you prefer to walk, it's a pleasant 19-minute walk.From£98
Very Good279 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|1.6km from city centre
Lovely place we stayed at! It was perfect for our family of 4! There was a nice footbath. There is a toilet for anyone wondering and 4 western style single/twin size beds. The place was decorated well and we loved the style of it! We're really sad we didn't get to stay longer. There is a major hill in front of the hotel but it wasn't a problem since we got a taxi. Though they are a bit hard to come by. The facilities were lovely, we enjoyed the Onsen and the massage chairs. Dinner was also delicious and breakfast was continental style.From£80
Great13 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|0.61km from city centre
Great hotel! I like the environment and service. Their children's yukatas are very beautiful. I booked one night with two meals. The food was very good, beautiful and delicious. I ate a lot, but the wine and drinks need to be paid separately, but the price is reasonable. The plum wine is delicious. My parents like it very much. They said that staying for one night is too little. The room we stayed in was very large. We had 3 tatami mats for 3 adults and 2 children. There was also a small room with two beds for each of us to sleep separately without affecting each other. There was also a room dedicated to suitcases and yukatas, which was very convenient. There was an indoor hot spring in the room, which could be filled with water by itself like a bathtub. I think I could soak my feet at night, but there was no need. At first, when I booked the hotel, I thought it was a courtyard hot spring where I could take pictures. I was disappointed when I arrived at the hotel. It was actually an indoor bathtub. Fortunately, there was a public hot spring next to it, which was very convenient. It was just like taking a bath in the room. It was just a few steps away, but I couldn't take pictures. There was no scenery. This hot spring hotel is in the Japanese courtyard style. It looks good to take pictures. You can take beautiful pictures in your own room and courtyard. It's very photogenic! Although the language communication is all in Japanese, they will use their mobile phones to translate for you, so you can understand it better.From£338
Very Good204 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|9.3km from city centre
I first stayed at this hotel last year and was very satisfied with the service, environment, and convenient transportation. When I visited Hakone again this year, I chose to stay here a second time. The half-board plan (one night with two meals) was an excellent deal, especially since there aren't many dining options in the immediate area.From£64
Great96 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|10.08km from city centre
The hotel is located in Sengokuhara, Mt. Hakone. Located on a mountain road, the brand sign is not obvious. It is dark and the street lights are weak and you can't even see the hotel's sign! I can’t even see the hotel when I reach my destination via navigation! It took me two trips to find it. The South Building is easier to find, but the North Building is really hard to find. After finding the sign for the North Building, you have to turn into an alley and then up a small slope to find it. Because we stayed for two nights in a row, there was a problem with the hotel's check-in tablet, and the staff spoke Chinese, English, and Japanese.
The parking space of the North Building is not in front of the door. We need to take a detour and walk up the mountain. It is dark and there is no car light to pedestrian. They insist on asking us to park the car in this parking lot 15 minutes away. It is too dark and too dangerous. I request We parked in the unloading area for one night and didn't find a parking lot until the next day. We felt that it was dangerous to our safety. Unless it was in broad daylight, there was a lot of noise. For about two hours, the hotel staff did not allow us to park and called twice. Went to the room to find us, the trails they provided were even more impossible to walk at night. The next day we took a day trip, which was also dangerous. After walking for a while, we encountered a deer, which put us in a dilemma. Very angry about the parking issue.
Other than that, the hotel room was ideal. The equipment is complete, but the on-site environment is a bit far from the photos. The hot spring is just a bathtub, and you can adjust the hot water temperature by yourself. 🤣🤣
Overall review: 👍The room is comfortable and well-equipped
👎🏻 Regardless of the parking space, you need to walk on unsafe roads for 15 minutes
👎🏻Road signs are not clearly displayed
👎🏻The hot spring water feels like constant temperature tap water
Figure 1: A small hotel name sign on the road up the mountain
Figure 2: The hotel improves parking lot signage
Figure 3: A trail provided by hotel staff behind a house without street lights
Pictures 4 and 5: We were looking for a parking lot in broad daylight and encountered a deer.
Figure 6: There are no street lights on the entire road, making it very dangerous for pedestrians to walk on the road.
Figure 7: Large hot spring bathtub
Picture 8, 9: Overgrown footbath
Figure 10, 11, 12: Indoor layout
Figures 13 and 14: The hotel’s roadside sign
Just think about it, it is very difficult to find your hotel destination in the dark night without street lights or clear instructions and relying only on navigation.
Figure 15: Unloading area
Figure 16: The lens of the tablet is blocked!From£126
Very Good20 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|2.03km from city centre
Although this hotel is far away from the central area of Hakone
But the room is very spacious
The bathhouse is very big
And next to the beautiful waterfall
It’s worth the higher priceFrom£113
Breakfast
Great266 Reviews
Lake Ashi Hakone|8.68km from city centre
The hotel room is spacious, and on a clear day, you can see the snow-capped Mount Fuji directly from the seaside garden – it's absolutely stunning! This foldable makeup mirror is super cool! If you get a front-facing lake view room, you can literally lie down and enjoy the entire panorama from your room! The hotel is right next to the pirate ship pier and the H bus terminal! It's also really convenient to get to Gotemba Outlet; just transfer from the H line to the M line. For returning to Hakone-Yumoto Station, you can ride the bus all the way to the end, and there's a bus stop right in front of the hotel! Overall, I'm extremely satisfied!From£125
Great111 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|10.6km from city centre
Hi everyone,
It was very beautiful place to stay, very peaceful, clean and comfortable. Large room, beautiful view and onsen was very good.
To those not travelling by car, you need to get a bus Hakone freepass to get around. You can purchase it online, this is a big help.
One of the biggest problem was when we arrived the bus station at bus stop no. 252 ( Sengoku-kogen), we called the hotel to arrange to be pick up from the bus station no. 252, we have terrible language problems. They don't understand where was bus stop 252. They don't recognise there is a coffee shop, Lawson and little police station. Finally we have to pull our luggageas all the way to the hotel. Majority of the road was uphill and very little lighting ... Near bus stop number 252, you can see Lawson, a coffee shop and little police station.
On the second day, the shuttle bus service took us out to the musuem. We walked back from the museums, it took about 90mins to walk back to the hotel. We were told the bus ticket have to purchase at the counter Tokendai. We were stucked in the hotel for two days, because we really don't know where to apply which bus tickets.
On the third day, the hotel shuttle took us to another musuem, we were very thankful a lady from a musuem inform us we can get the ticket Hakone free pass online.
On the fourth day, we just realised Tokendai ( cruise) very close to the hotel. Luckily we managed to get around for the last day of our stay.
Overall we enjoyed the stay. The receptionists were very polite and tried to help. We have communication breakdown, they were continually apologises.
Big thank you for the trip.com to solve the problem.From£87
Great105 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|6.44km from city centre
The location was out of town so not so many shop around the hotel and you have to take a tram to town to get groceries etc. Buffet breakfast was nice so dont hae to stress. Private Onsen was great but need more instructions especially english. There was a shuttle service but no way to communicate with them unless you have a local sim. It was great stay but you need to be prepared for some logistics and walking or plan ahead with food/snacks etc.From£87
Great125 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|0.35km from city centre
The biggest advantage is probably its proximity to Yumoto Station. You don't even need to go upstairs from the second floor; just walk to the end, turn left, take the elevator down, walk forward, turn left, and you're there in two minutes.
1. I planned to explore Hakone during the day and knew I'd miss dinner, so I only booked breakfast instead of the half-board option. That turned out to be a great decision. I definitely got back to Yumoto after dinner service had ended. The breakfast looked beautiful in photos, but it was hard to eat. There wasn't really anything appealing; just a bunch of miscellaneous small dishes and pickles.
2. The private onsen needs to be booked in advance, but it was just okay.
3. If you have a lot of luggage, staying in Yumoto is more convenient for check-in, and there are other restaurants open at night. If you're traveling light in Hakone, I'd probably choose Gora, book dinner at the hotel, and explore the various museums around Gora. For a day trip, you don't need to see everything; just pick one or two places you like.From£195
Great449 Reviews
Lake Ashi Hakone|8.33km from city centre
I stumbled upon Odakyu Hotel de Yama through a Hakone travel guide on Xiaohongshu. After planning my Hakone itinerary, I decided to book a two-day, one-night stay with breakfast and dinner. The hotel itself is a resort destination.
My stay coincided with the Emperor's birthday three-day weekend in Japan. By evening, I noticed all the room keys were out (picture 6), indicating a high occupancy rate. I barely encountered any fellow Chinese travelers, just one ********* couple; most other guests were Japanese on vacation or Caucasians.
Most of the hotel staff's English was quite basic. I'd recommend using a translator if you're not fluent in Japanese. For instance, the staff member asked me about 'dinnertime' five times before I understood what they were saying. (⦁֊⦁꧞)
The two meals included in the package require you to reserve your dinner times. One evening, I had a reservation for 7:45 PM, but I still had to wait. I was a bit annoyed, wondering why I had to wait when I had a reservation. I ended up waiting an extra 10 minutes, which is why I can't give a full five-star rating.
Everything else was excellent. There's an ice machine and a washing machine on the first floor. The onsen (hot spring) layout was also very well-designed. While it's not sourced directly from Owakudani, it uses water from Lake Ashi, leaving your skin feeling smooth after a soak. The open-air bath even has a cherry tree—I can only imagine how beautiful Hakone would be during cherry blossom season!
Oh, one more thing to complain about: there's no hairdryer in the room. As someone with bangs, this was inconvenient. Every morning after putting on makeup, I had to go to the large public bath to dry my bangs. The hairdryers there are Refa Pro, which are a bit heavy. The toiletries in the public bath are DHC, but the ones in the bedroom are from the French sea salt series, which are also very good.
Other than that, there's really nothing else to complain about. (⌯'ㅅ'⌯) Honestly, I would definitely consider staying here again on my next trip to Hakone.
There's a shuttle bus to Moto-Hakone Port Bus Stop 6 every 20 minutes. There's also an Odakyu bus that departs from the hotel entrance at 12:00 PM, heading to Shinjuku. Hotel de Yama is the first stop, but it takes at least 3 hours to get to Shinjuku after making all the rounds.From£101
Great117 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|0.86km from city centre
I was so surprised that I could stay in such a nice hotel for this price! My friend and I went together, and it even included an all-you-can-drink alcohol and soft drink option, which we really enjoyed! I'd love to stay here again the next time I visit Hakone!From£142
Gym
Very Good50 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|9.88km from city centre
It was my first time visiting this hotel and I was amazed by the excellent service, comfortable environment, and impeccable rooms. I felt very comfortable and relaxed!From£245
Great60 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|5.2km from city centre
☀️ When i first arrived, i thought i was at the wrong place - i‘ve never booked something so nice for myself before!
🪲PROS
- chill 4 people bedrooms, with a comfy bed and a big personal shelf + locker and a fridge for the room
- clean facilities and rooms
- towel, toothpaste/toothpaste and yukata were provided as well as shampoo and showergel
- the common room was so cozy and nice, with tea and water always at the ready and a great view of the garden
- i was satisfied with both the dinner and breakfast and the price was fairly cheap (~1200¥ or a bit more, depending on your choices)
- PRIVATE ONSEN that you can book for around 50minutes at night and can use in the morning if nobody else is already using it (costs around 150¥ per use)
- there is a shuttle bus going at pretty regular times in the morning. They offer a ride to both Gora-Station or Hakone-Open-Air-Museum!
🩸CONS
- far from the city-centre/train station
🌱 i really enjoyed my stay. I had cool roomies that became travel companions and absolutely loved the inn, the onsen, the food and the kind staff!
Definitely a recommendation if you ever decide to stay in Hakone - i would book again!From£28
Amazing75 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|1.64km from city centre
The room is clean and the facilities are excellent. You must choose the double-board package. The breakfast is amazing and the dinner is pretty normal. In addition, this hotel is quite primitive and there will be some noise when you sleep at night.From£504
Amazing0 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|7.26km from city centre
Experience an abundance of unparalleled facilities and features at hakonegora guamdog honten.For visitors traveling by automobile, complimentary parking is available. Kindly note that smoking is prohibited in the ryokan to ensure fresher air for all visitors.At hakonegora guamdog honten, every guestroom is provided with convenient amenities and fittings to ensure a comfortable stay. Enhance your experience at ryokan with the knowledge that certain rooms are equipped with linen service and air conditioning for your convenience.At hakonegora guamdog honten, each visit offers an array of intriguing room configurations, featuring accommodations with separate living room and balcony or terrace, ensuring a distinct experience every time.Certain rooms boast in-room amusement features such as television, in-room video streaming and cable TV, offering guests an enjoyable stay.In select rooms within the ryokan, a refrigerator, a coffee or tea maker, bottled water and mini bar is available to cater to your requirements when desired. In the ryokan, certain guest bathrooms come equipped with essential bathroom amenities, such as a hair dryer, toiletries and bathrobes, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. At the ryokan, an assortment of easily accessible and delicious meal choices are available to satisfy your appetite whenever it strikes. During your stay at ryokan, an array of engaging activities and amenities guarantees a delightful experience.Discover the fitness amenities at ryokan to maintain your health and strength during your getaway.From£117
Great72 Reviews
Gora/Sengokuhara Hakone|5.76km from city centre
The hotel was impeccably clean, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. They even assisted us in exchanging a large amount of loose change we'd accumulated during the day.
The hotel also features hot spring baths, which we unfortunately didn't have time to experience.
Its location is superb, situated right to the right when you exit Gora Station. While you need to use an underpass with stairs to get there directly, or take a slightly longer 5-minute walk around, its convenience to the station is still a huge plus.
We had to depart at 7 AM, just missing the 7:30 AM breakfast. Despite this, the hotel thoughtfully prepared a packed breakfast for us. Even though it was a takeaway meal, the portions were generous and full-sized, providing a hearty and energizing start to our day.From£35
Amazing48 Reviews
Hakone yumoto Hakone|0.61km from city centre
fabulous experience - food was interesting and delicious.
the room was lovely looking out to the Mountains with our Private bath...
the service was lovely....
I would recommend this as a Ryokan experience. Just use the luggage transfer service from arrival at the Station in Hakone to save you getting your bags up the hill.....
its easy to come down when leaving.From£151
🌸 Best Time to Visit Hakone
Hakone can be explored all year round, but the experiences vary greatly depending on the season:
Season | Weather | Highlights |
Spring (March–May) | Mild, pleasant | Cherry blossoms, rhododendrons in Gora Park, lush landscapes |
Summer (June–August) | Hot, but less stifling than in Tokyo. | Mountain hikes, refreshing Lake Ashi, summer festivals |
Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Pleasant temperatures, vibrant colours | Spectacular autumn foliage, excellent visibility of Mount Fuji |
Winter (Dec.–Feb.) | Cold, with occasional snow at higher altitudes | Onsen in the snow, often clear skies, crystal-clear views of Mount Fuji, |
Whatever time of year you visit, remember to pack a warm extra layer: evenings can be chilly at altitude, especially near the lake or at the top of the Ropeway!
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🍱 Hakone’s Culinary Specialities
Who said a small town couldn’t have its own traditions and culinary specialities? Yes, Hakone can also be discovered through your taste buds, especially after a day spent between the lake, the mountains and the onsens!
Among the unmissable specialities, there are of course the kuro-tamago, Owakudani’s black eggs cooked in sulphur-rich hot springs. You’ll also find excellent soba, buckwheat noodles made with the local spring water, often served chilled with soy sauce or in a steaming soup.
At ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), kaiseki dinners showcase local produce such as:
- Fish from Lake Ashi (tempura or grilled),
- Tofu and yuba (soya skin),
- Vegetables from the mountains,
- Slow-cooked small dishes served in lovely ceramics.
田むら銀かつ亭
4.8/542 Reviews
📍1300-739 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0408, Japan
Average spend
£13
Finally, for a sweet snack, let yourself be tempted by onsen manju—little buns steamed by the vapour from the hot springs and filled with red bean paste—which you can buy still warm in the streets of Hakone-Yumoto. An absolute delight!
💡 Practical Tips: Transport and Travel Passes in Hakone
Getting around Hakone is quite straightforward once you understand the idea of the tourist “loop”. From Tokyo (usually from Shinjuku Station), you arrive at Hakone-Yumoto. Then, for each activity, you’ll need to take:
- A mountain train up to Gora,
- A funicular from Gora to Sounzan,
- The Hakone Ropeway to Lake Ashi via Owakudani,
- A boat on Lake Ashi to reach another port,
- A return bus to Hakone-Yumoto or your accommodation
To make life easier, opt for the Hakone Free Pass, which bundles most of the transport for this loop and includes a return journey from Tokyo (depending on the option you choose). It’s a practical and often cost-effective choice if you’re staying for at least a full day!
Have a wonderful trip! ✨
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❓ FAQ – Things to Do in Hakone
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