HAKONE: NATURE HOT SPRING

Hakone is located in the center of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the town of Hakone is a popular sightseeing and hot spring resort destination that is easily accessible from central Tokyo. With beautiful natural scenery throughout the four seasons, art museums and other museums, a variety of leisure facilities, and numerous events and festivals including the Hakone Ekiden long-distance marathon, Hakone can be enjoyed year-round.

HAKONE FREEPASS

The Hakone Free Pass is operated by Odakyu Railway which allows you to enjoy a fuss-free tour around Hakone. With this pass, you enjoy the unlimited use of Odakyu affiliated buses, trains, boats, cable cars, and ropeway within the Hakone free area. Buy the Hakone Free Pass in the information office at the station, available in Shinjuku Station (Tokyo), Shin-Yurigaoka Station, Odakyu Tama Center, Machida Station, and Odawara Station (Closest station from Hakone-Yumoto Station).

 

Who stayed at Tokyo the day before, I extremely suggest to buy it at Shinjuku Station, it help you save more money.  

HAKONE HOT SPRING

Hakone has been one of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts for centuries. Nowadays, more than a dozen springs provide hot spring water to the many bath houses and ryokan in the Hakone region.

Visitors can enjoy a hot spring bath in public bath houses or ryokan. Many ryokan open their baths not only to staying guests but also to daytime visitors. While staying guests can use the baths for free, daytime visitors pay an admission fee of typically between 500 and 2000 yen.

   

Hakone Green Plaza Hotel

This hotel's large rotemburo (outdoor baths) are some of the surprisingly few baths in Hakone that have views of Mount Fuji on clear days. A short walk from Ubako Station along the Hakone Ropeway.  

Daytime Hours: 12:00 to 15:00 (closed 1st and 3rd Thursday each month)
Daytime Admission: 1600 yen
Overnight Stay: From 15,000 yen per person including 2 meals   

Kappa Tengoku

Outdoor baths in the wooded slope just above Yumoto Station. The wooden bath house is slightly run-down but remains atmospheric. A five minute walk from the station.

 

Daytime Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
Daytime Admission: 800 yen
Overnight Stay: From 3,000 yen per person without meals

http://www.kappa1059.co.jp/index.html

Hotel Kowakien Yunessun

More water park than hot spring, this resort is split into two areas: "Yunessun" with themed pools and water attractions (bathing suits required), and "Mori No Yu" with traditional hot spring baths (no bathing suits). Located across the street from Hotel Kowakien.

Yunessun Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (until 18:00 from November to February)
Mori no Yu Hours: 11:00 to 21:00
Admission: 2900 yen (Yunessun), 1900 yen (Mori no Yu), 4100 yen (both)

Tenzan

Collection of nicely done hot spring pools, most of which are outdoors at the foot of a wooded slope. The bath house is a beautiful traditional Japanese style building. A short walk from Oku-Yumoto Iriguchi bus stop (bus line K).

Hours: 9:00 to 23:00 (entry until 22:00)
Admission: 1300 yen  

Hakone Kamon

Multiple outdoor baths made of stone and wood including sauna and baths made of large ceramic pots. A cup of tea is served after the bath. Short shuttle bus ride from Yumoto Station (100 yen).

Daytime Hours: 10:30 to 17:00
Daytime Admission: 1950 yen
Overnight Stay: From 27,000 yen per person with two meals 

Hakone Yuryo

Hakone Yuryo is a tasteful public bath opened in spring 2013 on the former site of the Hakone Begonia Garden. The facility features gender segregated indoor and outdoor baths with nice views into the forest. There is also a large selection of private baths (additional fees apply) for families and couples that wish to bath together. A free shuttle bus operates every 10-15 minutes to/from Hakone Yumoto Station.

Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (weekends until 22:00), entry ends one hour before closing
Admission: 1400 yen

more information, please visit http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5209.html 

Recommended Sightseeing 

Museum of Saint-Exupéry and The Little Prince in Hakone

The museum specializes in evoking the world of The Little Prince, and the life of Saint-Exupery, an aviator and writer of the much loved novel. The museum is set in grounds designed with a French theme reminiscent of Provence, which is strongly associated with Saint-Exupery, and exhibits include a film theater, photographs, letters and documents.

Opening hours 9:00AM to 6:00PM (entrance permitted until 5:00PM)
 
※ Exhibition hall business hours 9:00AM to 5:30PM
 
※ Video hall screening hours 9:00AM to 5:30PM

 Restaurant Hours: 

Lunchtime: 11:00AM to 3:00PM
Teatime: 3:00PM to 5:30PM 

 Admission Fee:
 ※Same day 

Adult 1,600yen 

Senior (65+) 1,100yen 

Student 1,100yen  

Junior (6-15)700yen
※Advance 

Adult 1,400yen

Junior (6-15) 600yen
※Group ticket 

Adult 1,400yen 

Senior (65+) 900yen 

Student 900yen 

Junior (6-15) 500yen 

Senior=Age 65 and over. Student=University or High school student. Junior=Elementary or middle school student.
*1 Student prices apply only if a student ID card or similar is presented.
*Group ticket: more than 15 people.

Owakudani

 

Owakudani is quite a place, unusual but worth the visit. A desolate smoking plain strangely located in verdant Hakone. Walking on the path set beside fuming clouds of steam and carbonic acid gas, you can see a real live smoking volcano. Be sure to try the rare and special Black Eggs, boiled eggs cooked by the ground heat and volcanic fumes.

Black eggs are a famous product of Owakudani, and it is said that each egg you eat extends your life by seven years. Eating these eggs while gazing at majestic natural scenery all around, complete with volcanic fumes rising up out of the earth, is quite an experience.
Price: 500 yen (5 eggs)
 

Black eggs can also be purchased at the egg steaming hut
Owakudani Tourism Center
Open: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. year-round (except during stormy weather)
Access: approx. 3 min. on foot from Owakudani Stn. on the Hakone Ropeway

Hakone Kitahara Toys Wonderland

An unusual museum of toys, especially celluloid dolls and characters, as well as rarities including records and other collections. A chance to slip back into the past, and enjoy the nostalgia and craftsmanship of bygone times.

[Address] 740 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[TEL] 

[URL] http://www.hakone-kitahara-museum.jp/

Lake Ashi

A volcanic crater lake famous for its beautiful view of Mount Fuji. The elegant sightseeing cruise and lake sports such as kayaking are very popular here. The view of Mount Fuji behind Lake Ashi, and the Hakone-jinja shrine seen from the cruise ship have long been considered to be the most iconic views of Hakone. In good weather conditions and with a calm lake, the view of Mount Fuji reflected on the mirror of Lake Ashi is just wonderful. This effect is affectionately known as Sakasa Fuji (reflected Fuji).

Hakone-jinja shrine

The Hakone-jinja shrine has traditionally been a place for travelers to pray for a safe journey and good fortune, and in more recent times the shrine is now famous for being a place flowing with mystical energy.

SHOPPING

Gotemba Premium Outlets

Not only Japan's largest fashion outlet mall, but a mall with a view of Mount Fuji. How does it get any better than that... Enjoy shopping in the many directly managed stores of top overseas brands as well as a collection of stores run by popular Japanese labels. The Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus connects Gotemba Premium Outlets® with Shinjuku and Hakone Togendai.

Hakone Tozan Meisan-ten Yumoto shop (Hakone-no-ichi Shop)

The souvenir shop Hakone No Ichi (Hakone market) located within the Hakone-Yumoto Station building has a wide selection of goods from many Hakone souvenirs to some unique rarities only available in this store.

[Address] Hakone-Yumoto Station, 707 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[TEL] 

[URL]http://www.hakonenavi.jp/traffic/in_access/station_map/hakoneyumoto/hakoneyumoto_ichi.html

Eva-ya

An official Evangelion store opened in Hakone, where the anime story takes place. Official Evangelion goods with a twist of Japan such as teacups and hand towels can be purchased. The store's original goods can be found here, making this a must-see for anime fans.

[Address] 707-1 Shiroishishita, Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[URL] http://www.evastore.jp/real/evaya/

Onsen Manju (Hot Spring Dumplings)

Marushima Honten

Marushima Honten located in front of the Hakone-Yumoto Station has been around for over a 100 years, and specializes in the original hot spring dumplings. The round dumplings sweetened with either white or brown sugar syrup are stuffed with sweet bean paste.

[Address] 706 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[TEL] 

[URL] http://www.marushima-honten.com/

Hakone Pudding

Hakone Cafe Bakery and Delicatessen

This cute pudding served in an egg-shaped container is available at the new Hakone Cafe Bakery and Delicatessen opened inside the Hakone-Yumoto Station building. The pudding is a perfect combo of rich egg and bitter caramel syrup.

[Address] Hakone-Yumoto Station 2F, 707 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[TEL] 

[URL] http://www.odakyu-hotel.co.jp/hatsuhana/hakone-cafe/

Hakone Tozan Meisan-ten Yumoto-eki-mae shop ("Kaisen-ichiba")

The store located in front of the Hakone-Yumoto Station specializes in dried fish. Dried fish (himono) and other prepared and dried seafoods such as fish cakes (kamaboko) and salted fish guts (shiokara) are sold here.

[Address] 706-1 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[TEL] 

GOURMET

Hatsuhana Soba Shinkan

The soba noodles, made of Japanese mountain yam, eggs, buckwheat flour and wheat flour without any added water, have a good firm texture. Seiro soba (soba noodles served on a wooden steamer with a mat of woven reeds) served with Japanese mountain yam and nori (seaweed) are highly recommended.

[Address] 474 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[URL] http://www.hatsuhana.co.jp/

Hakone Akatsukian

The al dente soba noodles made of the highest quality Japanese buckwheat flour and Hakone spring water are deservedly very popular.

[Address] 184 Yumotochaya, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[TEL] 

[URL] http://www.hakone-yumotohotel.com/bakery/an_index.html

Yubadon Naokichi

The kumiage yuba (fresh tofu skin) made of pure Hakone spring water and the very best soya milk is superb. We hope you enjoy these traditional elegant and healthy yuba and tofu dishes.

[Address] 696 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

[TEL] 

[URL] http://locoplace.jp/t000104674/

Otome-toge Fujimi-chaya Tea House

A teahouse with a grand view of Mount Fuji. Its Gotemba Mikuriya Soba (soba noodles made in Gotemba city) and local Gotemba milk ice cream are absolutely delicious. The famous spring water of Fujimi no Mizu is found in its gardens, and visitors are free to take some away.

[Address] 1816 Fukasawa, Gotemba-shi, Shizuoka-ken

[TEL] 

[URL] http://www.hakone-kankosen.co.jp/restaurant/ 

Museum Restaurants

After enjoying a variety of refined art, we recommend having a meal at one of the splendid museum restaurants. Experience elegant dining at restaurants in The Hakone Open Air Museum; Hakone Glass Forest Venetian Glass Museum; Lalique Museum, Hakone; Pola Museum of Art; Museum of Saint-Exupéry and The Little Prince in Hakone; and others.

Fried Pond Smelt

Fried pond smelt is a regular menu item at restaurants near Lake Ashi, and it is a dish that every visitor should try at least once. We recommend savoring the delicate taste of pond smelt raised in the pristine waters of Lake Ashi—it is so popular that even the Imperial Household Agency requests deliveries!


More information about Transportation schedule:

How to get around Hakone: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html

Odakyu Electric Railway: http://www.odakyu.jp/english/

Hakone Tozan: http://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/en/

Hakone Tozan Bus: http://www.hakone-tozanbus.co.jp/english/

Hakone Sightseeing Boat: http://www.hakone-kankosen.co.jp/foreign/en/

Hakone Ropeway: http://www.hakoneropeway.co.jp/foreign/en/