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Updated: March 25, 2019

Hakone, one of Japan’s most popular getaways

Hakone is located in the southwest part of Kanagawa Prefecture, which borders Tokyo. Just take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara Station, and then transfer to the charming Hakone Romancecar train for the rest of the journey.

Tips

  • The classic Hakone itinerary: Hakone-Yumoto, Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Ropeway
  • Hakone has some unparalleled hotels & inns, both classic and modern
  • Check out Hakone Jinja Shrine & Kuzuryu Jinja Shrine

How to Get There

From Shinjuku Station: 1 hour 30 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto Station by limited express train or 2 hours by express train.
2 hours to Hakone-Yumoto Station by highway bus.
From Tokyo or Shinagawa Station: 30 minutes to Odawara Station via Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama and selected Hikari trains only).
From Haneda Airport: 2 hours and 30 minutes by highway bus.

Follow a classic Hakone itinerary

Start in Hakone-Yumoto, a lively hot spring district, then take the bus to Lake Ashinoko. Stylish hotels and restaurants line the lakeshore. Head across the lake on the Hakone Pirate Ship, then head for the Hakone Ropeway, which offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside including Mt. Fuji, and passes over a craggy Owakudani Hell Valley where hot spring water bubbles underneath.

©Hakone Sightseeing Cruise Co.,Ltd

©Hakone Ropeway

Popular “hot springs” and unparalleled places to stay

Say "Hakone" to a Japanese person, and they’ll probably think of amazing onsen (hot springs), and the amazing spas and resort hotels that go with them. One is the Fujiya Hotel, which opened in 1878, and which has hosted Helen Keller, Charlie Chaplin and plenty of royalty.

©FUJIYA HOTEL

Head to a shrine where generations of samurai came to pray

Hakone Jinja Shrine on the banks of Lake Ashinoko has centuries of distinguished history. Famous military commanders including shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) would come to pray here. A 30-minute walk through a tranquil forest brings you to Kuzuryu Jinja, a shrine under the umbrella of Hakone Jinja.

©hakonejinja.kuzuryujinja