Hakone is located near the bustling capital of Japan, and it is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. This unique place has plenty to offer: ancient parks, hot springs, the famous Mount Fuji, temples, museums, a castle, and much more. If you're interested in the attractions of Hakone, you'll find interesting information about each site in this review.
Odawara Castle
A true samurai castle that was once accessible only to people of high status and position in society. A steep staircase leads to the castle, with steps of varying heights - be sure to stay alert while climbing! This staircase was specifically designed to slow down enemies if they attempted to attack the building. Due to the difficulty of ascending, they would not be able to quickly overcome such height.
Why visit:
The reconstructed castle is now open to everyone. Don't miss it and take a look at the elegant central tower, which mesmerizes visitors with its beauty.
The castle can be considered a historical landmark, as after its capture by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the unification of Japan took place. Tour guides will share historical facts associated with this place, as well as beautiful legends.
Address: Odawara Castle, Jonai, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0014, Japan.
Contact Information:
Odawara Castle, Jonai, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0014, Japan.Enoura Observatory
An art space for creative individuals and nature lovers was established in 2017 by Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. The site was opened with the support of the Odawara city fund to showcase the essence of Japanese culture to local residents and guests of Hakone, teaching them to appreciate beauty in every moment.
Why visit:
The observatory features a designated area equipped for observing the summer solstice. Additionally, there are art galleries that frequently host exhibitions, a beautiful rock garden for leisurely walks, restored Meigetsu gates from the Muromachi period, and various other Japanese buildings erected in different historical periods.
Address: Enoura Observatory, 362-1 Enoura, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0025, Japan. Website: https://www.odawara-af.com Entrance fee: paid.
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
A true thermal amusement park located near the Yumoto hot springs. It features many areas where friends or families can relax together. Part of the park is designed in a Japanese style, where visitors fully undress to enjoy the baths. In the European zone, guests wear swimsuits and trunks.
Why visit:
In this thermal park, you can not only rejuvenate but also relax in pools filled with wine, sake, or green tea. There is a large standard pool as well as several slides for fun activities.
Address: Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0407, Japan. Website: https://www.yunessun.com Entrance fee: paid.
Open-Air Museum
The first open-air museum in Japan, situated in the forest. All installations and sculptures are complemented by beautiful nature, and the landscape changes with the seasons. The idea of the museum is to show visitors how nature and art can coexist in harmony.
Why visit:
The museum spans over 70,000 square meters, featuring various sculptures and artworks created by Japanese artists and internationally acclaimed masters, such as Picasso, Rodin, and H. Moore. There is a vibrant playground with various activities for children, and for those wishing to relax and snack - a cafe and even a small spa area with relaxing foot baths.
Address: Open-Air Museum, 1121 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0493, Japan. Website: https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp Entrance fee: paid.
Gora Park
One of the oldest parks in Japan, designed in the European (French) style. It is located in the mountains near the Open-Air Museum. The park features a large modern fountain, a greenhouse, a rose garden, and a tropical flowerbed.
Why visit:
After enjoying the beautiful views, stop by the craft house to see traditional Japanese crafts and try your hand at them. For example, you can blow glass bubbles or make pottery. There is also a tea house in Gora Park where green tea tastings are held, along with beautiful ceremonies.
Address: Gora Park, 1300 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0408, Japan. Website: https://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp Entrance fee: paid.
Top Tours in Hakone According to Tourist Reviews:
Sengokuhara
This village is home to two important sites - the Lalique Museum and the Marsh Botanical Garden. The museum is named after the French artist Rene Lalique, who created glass art in the Art Deco style. The collection contains over 1,500 of his works: decor, jewelry, tableware, and more.
Why visit:
Visit the exhibition, admire the artistic items that will surely captivate you with their uniqueness and beauty. Each piece invites long observation, and all the works evoke genuine admiration.
After visiting the museum, don't forget to take a walk through the garden located right in the marsh. It is beautiful at any time of the year, but the most tourists gather in June to see the blooming lilies.
Address: Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan.
Contact Information:
Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan.Owakudani (Great Boiling Valley)
Owakudani Valley is famous for its hot springs. This area is home to numerous volcanic vents that emit steam with a characteristic sulfur smell. If you have respiratory conditions, it's better to avoid visiting this place as the acrid vapors can irritate the lungs.
Why visit:
Walk over the steaming earth, admire the unusual and even 'otherworldly' landscape, and try the black eggs that are boiled directly in the hot springs.
Originally, the light shell turns black due to the effect of sulfur, but inside, the contents remain white. The Japanese claim that each egg eaten adds health and seven years to your life!
Address: Owakudani, 1251 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan. Website: https://www.kanagawa-park.or.jp
Hakone Checkpoint
During the Edo period, Hakone served as a checkpoint where all travelers passing along the Tokaido route were inspected. A stamp was placed on documents when passing through the checkpoint. Families of daimyo were especially controlled, and their children and wives were not allowed to leave the city under the hostage law instituted by the shogunate.
Why visit:
A few years ago, the checkpoint was restored, and a museum was built. It houses a large collection of exhibits: evidence collected from criminals and belongings of inspectors. Additionally, you can visit an authentic prison cell and climb a tower from which observations were conducted. Inside the checkpoint, the atmosphere of a medieval courtyard with barracks, stables, and utility rooms has been recreated.
Address: Hakone Checkpoint, 1 Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0521, Japan.
Contact Information:
Hakone Checkpoint, 1 Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0521, Japan.Hakone Jinja Shrine
Located on the shores of Lake Ashi, where legend has it that a dragon that devours beautiful young maidens once lived, is the Hakone Jinja Shrine or the Shrine of the Nine-Headed Dragon. To this day, unmarried women turn to it with prayers for love and marriage. The shrine was founded by the Buddhist monk Mangan, with mentions dating back to 757 AD.
Why visit:
Stroll through the picturesque protected area, pass through the red 'Torii of Peace,' and visit the ancient shrine. Every year, a dragon feeding festival takes place near the shrine - at the end of July, shrine priests cook a barrel of red rice and offer it 'for the dragon's consumption.'
Address: Hakone Jinja Shrine, 80-1 Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan. Website: https://hakonejinja.or.jp
The Museum of Art
The museum opened its doors to visitors in 1952 through the efforts of Okada Mokichi. The exhibitions showcase Japanese ceramics that date back to the Jomon and Edo periods. It prominently features large vessels, while the Haniwa sculpture holds particular cultural value.
Why visit:
To better understand Japanese art from different eras, take a stroll through the moss garden after visiting the museum, and enjoy solitude in nature. You can end your visit by stopping at the tea house to try not only natural green tea but also local sweets.
Address: The Museum of Art, 1300 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0408, Japan. Website: https://www.moaart.or.jp
Botanical Garden
The garden was established in the 1970s. Here, you can see plants from all over the world - over 1,500 trees, shrubs, flowers, and aquatic representatives of flora. The initial purpose of opening the park was to preserve rare Japanese plants.
Why visit:
Walk along the specially paved path through the marsh area, admire the blooming lilies and other flowers, and learn interesting information about the plants - signs in both English and Japanese will tell you about them.
Address: Botanical Garden, 817 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan. Website: https://hakone-shisseikaen.com Entrance fee: paid.
POLA Art Museum
A modern museum opened by the POLA company - a cosmetics manufacturer. The complex showcases a significant part of the founder's collection, Tsunesi Suzuki.
The site's selection for the museum is unique and beautiful - a bamboo forest. The building is constructed not from eco-friendly materials, but from concrete and glass, yet it fits harmoniously into the landscape, attracting attention.
Why visit:
Walk through the museum, most of which is located underground. In the exhibition halls, you will find various pieces of art: sculptures, paintings, tableware, and ceramic items. The exhibits include works by both Japanese and international artists.
Address: POLA Art Museum, Japan, 〒250-0631 Kanagawa, Ashigarashimo District, Hakone, Sengokuhara, 小塚山１２８５. Website: https://www.polamuseum.or.jp
Glass Museum 'Garasu no Mori'
This museum is designed in the Italian style. Exhibitions and shops are housed in buildings styled after European architecture. Similar to other Japanese museums, there is a beautiful garden on the premises, where not only wonderful flowers and trees are planted but also glass sculptures are installed.
Why visit:
The museum is notable for having a collection of over 100 items made from genuine Venetian glass. Each of them holds special value, as they were made between the 15th and 19th centuries.
Address: Glass Museum 'Garasu no Mori', 940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan. Website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp Entrance fee: paid.
Okada Museum of Art
Do you want to touch not only Japanese culture and history? Then head to the Okada Museum, named after the entrepreneur and video game producer Okada Kazuo. The museum showcases a private collection of artworks that date back not only to our times but also to several centuries ago.
Why visit:
The collection primarily features Chinese and Japanese ceramic figures, ancient bronze items, and imperial Chinese porcelain. All exhibits are accompanied by information displayed on corresponding signs in four languages.
Address: Okada Museum of Art, 493-1 Kowakudani, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0406, Japan. Website: https://www.okada-museum.com Entrance fee: paid.