Hakone travel guide
Best Things to Do in Hakone
Hakone is famous for its onsen (hot-spring) ryokan, the floating red torii of Hakone Shrine on Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji views from the lake and ropeway, and the volcanic Owakudani valley with its black eggs. It’s the classic mountain escape from Tokyo, about 90 minutes away.
What to do in Hakone
Hakone is built around one scenic loop — mountain railway, ropeway, boat and bus — with an onsen at the end. Do the loop one way, stay the night, and soak.
The best things to do in Hakone
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Hakone Shrine floating torii · Shrine
A red torii gate standing in Lake Ashi, Fuji behind on clear days
Area: Motohakone · Time needed: 1 hour · Cost: Free
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Lake Ashi cruise · Boat
A sightseeing “pirate ship” across the crater lake with Fuji views
Area: Togendai–Motohakone · Time needed: 30–40 minutes · Cost: Included in Hakone Free Pass
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Owakudani · Volcanic valley
Steaming sulphur vents and the famous black eggs boiled in the hot springs
Area: Owakudani · Time needed: 1 hour · Cost: Free (ropeway to reach)
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Hakone Open-Air Museum · Museum
Sculpture park with a Picasso pavilion and a rainbow glass tower
Area: Gora · Time needed: 2 hours · Cost: ¥1,600
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Hakone Ropeway · Scenic ride
Gondola over the valley with Mt Fuji framed on clear days
Area: Sounzan–Togendai · Time needed: Part of the loop · Cost: Included in Free Pass
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Onsen ryokan soak · Wellness
A night (or day visit) in a hot-spring inn — the whole point of Hakone
Area: Yumoto, Gora, Motohakone · Time needed: Evening/overnight · Cost: Day onsen ¥1,500–2,500
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best things to do in Hakone — FAQs
What is Hakone famous for?
Hakone is famous for its onsen (hot-spring) ryokan, the floating red torii of Hakone Shrine on Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji views from the lake and ropeway, and the volcanic Owakudani valley with its black eggs. It’s the classic mountain escape from Tokyo, about 90 minutes away.
Is Hakone a day trip or an overnight?
Hakone works as a long day trip from Tokyo — the loop of ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise and shrine fits one day — but an overnight onsen-ryokan stay is the real experience. Arrive early, do the loop, then soak and sleep in a traditional inn before heading back or onward to Kyoto.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.