JP · Kanagawa Prefecture · 35.19°N 139.02°E

hakone

Onsen ryokan, a pirate ship on Lake Ashi and Fuji views if the clouds play nice.

Best time
November for autumn leaves, and winter for the clearest Fuji views. Spring is pleasant. Summer is cooler than Tokyo but often hazy, so Fuji may hide.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tokyo (about 7 hours). The Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku reaches Hakone-Yumoto in about 1.5 hours, or take the shinkansen to Odawara and change to a local train.
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JP · Kanagawa Prefecturehakone35.19°N 139.02°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Onsen ryokan, a pirate ship on Lake Ashi and Fuji views if the clouds play nice.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingHakoneJP, Kanagawa Prefecture
KLhakone
≈ 5,240 km from KL, as the crow flies
芦ノ湖畔から望む富士山（神奈川県箱根町）

Photo: Quercus acuta · CC0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A hot-spring area in the mountains southwest of Tokyo, with Mount Fuji in view on clear days. The classic loop takes in a mountain railway, a ropeway over a steaming volcanic valley and a boat across Lake Ashi, ending with a soak at a ryokan.

Makan

  1. Kuro-tamagoEggs boiled black in Owakudani's hot springs, said to add years to your life.Map ↗
  2. SobaBuckwheat noodles, a staple around Hakone-Yumoto.Map ↗
  3. Tofu and yubaTofu made with the local spring water, and dishes of delicate tofu skin.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. OwakudaniA volcanic valley of steaming vents and sulphur smells, reached by ropeway.Map ↗
  2. Lake Ashi cruiseCross the lake on a replica pirate ship, with Fuji behind on clear days.Map ↗
  3. Hakone ShrineA forest shrine with a red torii gate standing in the lake.Map ↗
  4. Hakone Open-Air MuseumBig sculptures on hillside lawns, plus a Picasso collection.Map ↗
  5. Hakone Tozan RailwayA little mountain train that zigzags up switchbacks from Hakone-Yumoto.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Owakudani and the ropeway sometimes close because of volcanic activity. Check the latest status before you go.
  • Onsen etiquette: wash before you get in, no swimwear, and tattoos may not be allowed in shared baths. A private bath is the easy option.
  • The Hakone Free Pass covers most of the loop's trains, buses, ropeway and boats.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.