The Wonders of Hakone

  Tips and articles

Pirate ship on Lake Ashi (Steph Corsetti)

Hakone is a perfect anecdote to the crazy, electric energy of Tokyo. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Hakone from Tokyo depending on the method of travel.

There are soothing, serene mountains, beautiful nature, relaxing hot springs and diverse means of transport to explore this charming region.

Mount Fuji is a major drawing card for tourism in Hakone but if visiting during cooler months or particularly cloudy weather, there are plenty of other unique things to see and do:

• Take a pirate ship ride on Lake Ashi. On board this faux ship designed for tourists purposes, a Japanese pirate poses for photos which are available for purchase as a souvenir
• Upon returning to the mainland, dip into a magnificient onsen. Japan’s hot springs are famous in the Hakone region and an unforgettable experience. Tourists and locals can soak in the soaring temperatures, gazing out at the Hakone Begonia Garden. You may even catch a glimpse of a passing dragon-fly. But be prepared for ultimate liberation: no bathers or clothing are allowed in the water
• Consume dumplings until you explode at the Gyoza Center in Gora…yum
• Soar over the Owakudami where volcanic craters bubble and birds-eye views are awe-inspiring. As the Hakone ropeway, sails over the boiling valley, the surprise twists and turns will induce gasps of delight from passengers looking out through the glass carriage windows, breath-taken by the picturesque mountain scenery. On a clear day, Mount Fuji is visible
  

  Follow the stone path to the teahouse (Ally Fonseca)

• Take the Hakone cable car to Koen-Kami and visit the Hakone Museum of Art’s lush moss garden. The yellow-brick road like trail winds through a splendour of greenery like a technicolour forrest from ‘The Wizard of Oz.’  There is a tranquil teahouse tucked away in the middle of the garden that serves creamy, traditional green tea. A cup doesn’t come cheap but the quality is miles ahead of the watery, bottled beverages on sale in convenient stores and vending machines
• The Hakone Open Air museum houses a Picasso pavilion and local Japanese artwork

 

Hakone is a hot spot for festivals

• In January, the annual university marathon, Hakone Ekiden invites male runners to trek more than 200 kilometres over two days (2 and 3 January)
• On July 31, a fireworks display sets Lake Ashi alight for the Ashino-ko Josui Matsuri festival
• On August 6, torches at Myojoga-take form the Chinese character for ‘big’ to mark the Hakone-Daimonji-yaki Matsuri festival
• November 3 is the Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu parade featuring 400 locals in costumes of Geishas and outfits from the Edo period

Golden ticket: the Hakone free pass

The Hakone free pass is a wonder in itself. Valid for three consecutive days, it grants visitors discounted entry into museums, hot springs, restaurants, tennis courts and parks. It covers cable car, train, boat and bus travel costs within the region making it your gateway to this Japanese wonderland.