Hakone is a resort spot that you can access easily from Tokyo and you can enjoy hot springs, beautiful sightseeing, shopping, and historical places.
You can stay for just one day or two days to enjoy this resort spot.
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Access
Access to Hakone is available by car or by train, specifically the Odakyu Line. The Odakyu Line offers an express service that allows you to travel directly and quickly to Hakone from Shinjuku Station. And also they offer the free pass in Hakone area. However, you can also take a regular train, though it takes significantly more time.
I recommend renting a car to travel around Hakone, as it makes it easier to reach many tourist spots. These spots are often spread out, and traveling between them can take time.
Onsen
Many ryokan and hotels in the area have their own hot spring amenities, called Onsen in Japanese.
Hakone has long been regarded as a popular hot spring resort. Every locale offers a different experience when it comes to hot springs, including Hakone-Yumoto, Gora, and the areas surrounding Lake Ashi.
In Japan, it was common for yakuza, or gang members, to have tattoos, which led to a ban on people with tattoos in many hot springs.
However, with the increase in foreign tourists in recent years, this cultural practice is gradually fading, although it is still something to be mindful of.
My recommended Ryokan that you can enter Onsen with a tattoo
Gora Kansuiro
This hotel has the private hot springs in the several room and you can enjoy hot springs with tattoos and you can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients.
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Setsugetsuka
This hotel offers private baths in the guest rooms, as well as free access to reserved private baths.
Meals are prepared with seasonal ingredients, so those who wish to enjoy Japanese cuisine are highly encouraged to stay.
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Ashi Lake(Ashinoko) and Hakone Shrine
This lake is located in the center of Hakone, and you can see Mount Fuji from it.
There is a sightseeing boat that allows you to enjoy the views from the lake. Ashinoko is also close to Hakone Shrine, which has a beautiful torii gate next to the lake. The shrine is believed to bring blessings for traffic safety and good fortune, attracting many visitors.
Owakudani
This area features active volcanic vents that have produced a distinctive landscape replete with billowing steam and the stench of sulfur.
The “black eggs,” which have blackened shells after being boiled in sulfuric hot springs, are a specialty of the area. Eating one is said to make you live a longer life.
Gotemba Premium Outlets
Gotemba Premium Outlets is one of Japan’s largest outlet malls, located in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Set against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, it features a wide array of stores from both domestic and international famous and luxury brands, allowing visitors to purchase products at discounted prices.
The mall offers a diverse range of items, including fashion, sports goods, and home decor, and it has a variety of restaurants and cafes. With good access from nearby tourist attractions, it is a popular spot for both shopping and sightseeing.
Museum
Numerous art museums in Hakone provide a singular experience by fusing art and environment. The following are a few of the top Hakone museums you should check out:
Hakone Open-Air Museum: With about 120 sculptures spread throughout a large landscape, this is Japan’s first outdoor sculpture museum. Families frequently visit because they may see art in a natural setting.
Pola Museum of Art : This museum features internationally recognized artwork, specializing in Impressionist pieces. Encircled by stunning natural landscapes, the museum offers a calm setting for appreciating art.
Hakone Glass no Mori Museum: With a focus on Venetian glass and glass art, this museum offers visitors interactive activities in addition to glass product exhibitions.
Indulge in the captivating art and culture of Japan at these museums while taking in Hakone’s abundant natural surroundings.
