Hakone Free Pass

To trek out to Hakone, take the "Limited Express Romance Car Super Hakone" train, operated by the Odakyu Railway Company, from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto Station in 80 minutes. 

From Hakone-Yumoto, take the Hakone Tozan train to Gora. The journey takes 35 minutes and winds through the wooded valley, crossing bridges and tunnels and stops at small stations.

 Flower lovers should see Gora-Koen park. There is also Hakone Art Museum, where you can enjoy a treasured collection of ceramics. 

On a cloudy day, Owakudani takes on an apocalyptic atmosphere. Several hiking trails, that are usually a delight for walkers, are partially or totally closed due to the emanation of volcanic gazes. You can simply go your way, by funicular, to Togendai, on the northern shores of Lake Ashi (Ashino-ko in Japanese).

The shores of the lake are a call to rest, and a long morning walk is certain to whet your appetite. The Togendai View restaurant offers simple dishes at reasonable prices and is renowned for its view. The boat ride on Lake Ashi offers one of Hakone's most stunning sights: the image of Mount Fuji reflected in its waters.

Lake Ashi itself hosts a number of fun attractions and activities.  Boating is also a popular activity with a number of ships servicing travelers and the general public. Above, the Hakone Ropeway operates, giving a gorgeous view of the nature below as well as the looming scene of Mount Fuji. 

Also able to be done on Lake Ashi is a lake cruise, where you can also admire another iconic sight of Hakone, the vermilion torii gate of the Hakone-jinja shrine emerging from the water. The half-hour cruise takes you to the south shore, to Hakone-machi or Moto-Hakone, the two large towns bordering the lake. 

The museum options in Hakone are one of the most notable things about the area. The Hakone Art Museum is a very well-regarded museum and is frequented by travelers from both within the country and abroad.

Narukawa Art Museum on the shores of Lake Ashi is of major note as it is equally lauded for its architecture as it is for the treasures on the inside. The museum attractions often find themselves around Odawara, like the Okada Art Museum, a private museum spanning five floors that has an impressive selection of Asian Art amongst other things on display. It is the most spacious of the museums in Hakone.

The Hakone Open Air Museum displays noteworthy artwork that seamlessly flows with the backdrop of the area. One can occupy their whole day at one of the many museums in Hakone, so this is an essential trip for those who enjoy art and culture.

Centering around the area of Odawara in Hakone, one can visit the famous Odawara Castle as it looms over the public park beneath it. Odawara is also home to the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, a must-do trip for the whole family. 

Just as varies as the museum selection is that of the beautiful parks to be visited in the nature-rich area of Hakone. Onshi-Hakone Park is peppered with beautiful flower fields and rolling scenery. Kamigawara Park in the center of Hakone is the perfect locale for a leisurely walk during the cherry blossom season in Spring. 

End your forest walk in Moto-Hakone Park with a trip to the Hakone-jinja Shinto shrine, perched on top of a green hill. Relax in the hot springs or extend the trip and go down to a ryokan, a traditional inn, to spend the night away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.