A Complete Guide to Visiting Hakone From Tokyo

Hakone is a mountainous resort town just outside of Tokyo, popular with city dwellers and travellers looking to enjoy the region’s soothing hot springs, spectacular nature and eclectic art museums. Here, a practical guide to Tokyo’s favourite getaway, including getting there, what to do and more.
Please note: The Hakone Tozan Line between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora is currently closed until autumn 2020 due to a typhoon in the region. Replacement bus and rail services are available. For updates, check their website.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Getting to Hakone from Tokyo
Depending on your budget, there are a handful of ways to travel to Hakone from Tokyo. Japan Rail Pass holders can take the Tokaido Shinkansen or the Kodama Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station; both journeys take around an hour. Alternatively, the Shōnan-Shinjuku line from Shinjuku Station runs to Odawara, but takes around 80 minutes. From Odawara, the Hakone Tozan rail will take you to Hakone-Yumoto and Gora. JR Pass holders will have to buy a separate ticket for this portion of the journey.

A much quicker but slightly more costly way to get to Hakone from Tokyo is to take the Odakyū Railway from Shinjuku Station, which goes directly to Hakone-Yumoto. The limited express Romancecar, which is reserved seating only, zips passengers through scenic countryside from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto in just 90 minutes. Alternatively, the regular express service takes two hours, and requires a transfer at Odawara.
Getting around Hakone
If you want to see all that Hakone has to offer, it’s highly recommended to purchase a Hakone Freepass. It can be purchased from Shinjuku Station as a round-trip pass, or from Odawara for those not returning to Tokyo. The two- or three-day passes cover you for all travel in the Hakone region, including the Hakone Tozan Railway, the Hakone Ropeway, the Hakone Tozan Cable Car and local buses. Discounts at museums and attractions in the region are also included.

What to do in Hakone
Hakone serves up a unique concoction of art, nature and hot springs, and experiencing all three is a must when visiting the region. Art museums include the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan’s first outdoor sculpture park, with sculptures by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Kyoko Asakura and several other notable artists set among spectacular mountains and forestland. Taking a trip on the Hakone Ropeway over Ōwakudani, an active volcanic valley simmering at Hakone’s core, is one of the more remarkable ways to experience the spectacular nature of Hakone. Day trippers can experience the Hakone hot springs at several bathhouses along the river in Yumoto.

To plan your visit, check out Culture Trip’s Hakone day trip itinerary.
Where to eat in Hakone
Hakone is a relatively remote region, with its attractions and hotels grouped together in several village-like areas. Many of Hakone’s restaurants are in its hotels or ryokans, often only accessible to guests on a room-and-board stay. There are, however, a handful of top-notch hotel restaurants open to the public, as well as casual shokudo restaurants, cosy cafés, noodle shops and sushi spots, most of which are concentrated around the region’s popular attractions.
Whether you’re planning a day trip or an overnight stay in Hakone, make sure you pick a place to eat before you visit, though keep in mind that some smaller restaurants could close early, depending on the time of year and the whim of owners. Here’s Culture Trip’s guide to the best restaurants in the region.

Where to stay in Hakone
Hakone is brimming with traditional Japanese inns, stylish hotels and guesthouses. Where you choose to stay in Hakone depends on what you’d like from your visit, whether that’s a tranquil getaway or simply proximity to the region’s best attractions. Staying in a traditional ryokan is a must-do, and most of Hakone’s ryokans have public or private onsen available to guests, or are at least within walking distance of one.
From a spa break in Gora, the region’s central resort town, to a secluded stay in the northern Sengokuhara district, check out Culture Trip’s guide to Hakone’s best traditional inns.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.