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:

👉 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!

🔥 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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

🌸 Best Time to Visit Hakone

Hakone can be explored all year round, but the experiences vary greatly depending on the season:

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!

🍱 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.

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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