Hakone Onsen
Japan's most popular weekend escape from Tokyo — 17 distinct hot spring areas around Lake Ashi and Mt Hakone with 100+ ryokan ranging from budget minshuku to legendary kaiseki establishments. The Hakone Free Pass covers the romance car train, ropeway, pirate ship on the lake, and open-air museum — all with Mt Fuji visible on clear days.
1–2 days recommended
Free Pass ¥5,000–6,100 (2 days, dep. Odawara/Shinjuku)
Area accessible year-round; ryokan day baths: typically 10:00–15:00; Hakone Free Pass covers most transport
Year-round (winter for Fuji, autumn for foliage)
Romance Car from Shinjuku (about 75 min) or Shinkansen to Odawara (35 min)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
Lake Ashi views with Mt Fuji reflected at dawn — the classic Hakone photograph
- 2
17 distinct onsen areas — each with different mineral content and character
- 3
Hakone Free Pass covers every attraction including the romance car, ropeway, and lake cruise
Local Tips
The Hakone Free Pass (2-day ¥5,000 from Shinjuku) covers the Romancecar train, ropeway, pirate ship, and most buses — buy it at Shinjuku Station. Mt Fuji views from the ropeway and Lake Ashi are weather-dependent — check the forecast. Weekends are extremely crowded; a Mon–Thu visit is a completely different experience.
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Enoshima Island
A tidal island connected to the mainland by a 600-metre bridge, sacred to Benzaiten (the goddess of everything that flows — music, water, time). The island rises 60 metres with a pagoda, sea caves, and a lighthouse park offering Mt Fuji views on clear days. The approach street (Benzaiten Nakamise) is lined with shirasu (whitebait) restaurants.
Hakone Open Air Museum
Japan's first open-air art museum — 120 sculptures by Moore, Rodin, Picasso, and Miro displayed across 7 hectares of mountain landscape, with Mt Hakone visible behind. The Picasso Pavilion houses the world's largest Picasso collection outside Spain. An outdoor foot spa of volcanic hot spring water flows through the centre of the grounds.
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