Wellness and Relaxation in the Mountains of Hakone
Hakone is a popular destination for those seeking relaxation and comfort. Known for its abundance of hot springs (Onsen), stunning natural beauty and mountainous landscapes, and above all a peaceful atmosphere, Hakone is an ideal location for those wanting to have the perfect escape from city life and to pamper themselves. Soaking in naturally heated Onsen or foot baths, sipping tea from cosy cafes, or enjoying the fresh mountain air, we can guarantee when you leave you will be feeling refreshed. We have created this page to provide you with some top recommendations on how to unwind in Hakone. We hope you will find it insightful! On this page you will find the following information :
— Wellness and Relaxation in Hakone
— How to Spend 48 Hours in Japan’s Mountainous Region
— 20 Best Things to do Around Hakone
— Where to Stay When Visiting Hakone
— Book With Us! Nagano’s No.1 Tour & Charter Operator
WHERE IS HAKONE?
Hakone is a popular ‘onsen’ (hot spring) area lying around 90km to the south-west of Tokyo. Known for its wide range of accommodation options – including lots of traditional guesthouses with their own hot springs – along with plenty of great restaurants, museums, galleries and other attractions, Hakone attracts lots of visitors given its close proximity to the capital. Part of the larger area of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, visitors to the area can often enjoy some of the best views of Mount Fuji to the west with the months of October and November being a particularly popular time of year given Hakone’s beautiful autumn colours. For information on how to get there, see our ‘How To Get To Hakone’ page.
WELLNESS AND RELAXATION IN HAKONE
Hakone is not only popular with tourists, but it is also highly popular with residents of Japan as a place to escape the stresses of city life through relaxation, to get some relief from Japan’s hot and humid summers in the fresher mountain air, and also as a way to immerse yourself in nature. If you’re travelling to Japan, especially the Tokyo area, you can reach Hakone in just over 100 minutes from Shinjuku station. So why not make a special trip to experience a different side to Japan, and indulge in some relaxation. Here are the top ways in which you can make the most of your relaxing time in Hakone :
1 / Onsen / All Year Round
Hakone is situated in an area that is fuelled by the geothermal power of volcanic activity, making it a hot spot for onsen hot springs and foot baths. As a pinnacle of Japanese culture that heavily focuses on wellness and relaxation, you should absolutely try these experiences during your stay in Hakone. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the mountains, soaking your body or feet in these naturally heated pools is simply divine and a one of a kind experience. You can book both public and private onsen at hotels and resorts, so depending on what experience you want and what your budget is keep this in mind.
Some of the most popular areas to try this include Tenzan Onsen and Hakone Yuryo. These onsen areas offer both outdoor and indoor baths with stunning views of nature. You can enjoy traditional and modern Japanese design and aesthetics with wooden and stone bathing areas. You can choose from both open air baths or closed off. We highly recommend trying an open air bath to enjoy breathing in the fresh mountain air as you unwind. The area even a resting section and a Japanese restaurant at Tenzan Onsen, and Hakone Yuryo has a free foot bath located at its entrance with glorious mountain views. As for hotels, Hakone is home to mostly luxury hotels so you will not find many budget or business hotels. Some of the best luxury hotels in Hakone that offer both public and private Onsen include Suishoen Hotel, Hakone Fore and Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu. It is important to note that many public Onsen will not allow tattoos to be on display. You may be asked to cover any visible tattoos up using large coverings or stickers. However, if this is something you don’t want to do, you can still hire your own private Onsen where you don’t have to worry about this. There are a few other rules that come with using Onsen, so check out our ’How to Do Tokyo Like a Local!’ page where we have a useful section on Onsen etiquette.
2 / Foot Baths and Cafes / All Year Round
If perhaps, you’re not as keen to try onsen but still want to experience a small slice of the relaxing thermal waters, then foot baths are a fantastic way to do this! Some foot baths may have a small admission charge, but many have no charge at all and are either often free to use or are already included as part of the price you pay if they are part of a cafe. In fact, foot bath cafes are extremely popular in Hakone. For example, for visitors wanting to experience the Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani, when visiting Sounzan station or Owakudani Kurotamago Tea House, you will find large outdoor foot baths overlooking the amazing rolling green mountains and views of Owakudani. Buy a drink or refreshment from the cafes to enjoy as you relax. The foot baths have a roof that protects you from any rain or strong winds. Just be mindful of other customers waiting to you the foot bath after you.
For cafes, there are many excellent places you can go to to enjoy a coffee, sweets and dip your tired feet into a comforting foot bath! Our top picks include Naraya Cafe and Okada Museum of Art. Naraya is a cosy and traditional cafe built in an old ryokan where you can enjoy a great selection of hot and cold foods, sweets and drinks. Okada is one of the top museums in all of Hakone, and has a popular foot bath located outside overlooking a wonderful piece of art. Order from a selection of beers, coffees, teas and sweets from the small cafe and relax! For those not interested in foot baths but still wanting a great cafe experience with views of nature, we highly recommend visiting Ashinoko Narukawa Art Gallery. Overlooking the famous and scenic Lake Ashi, this cafe is located within yet another of Hakone’s great museums. After admiring the beautiful art, head to the cafe and lounge with panoramic views of Lake Ashi to enjoy breathtaking views of nature. The cafe menu is extensive, with popular and traditional Japanese dishes. We highly recommend trying their Matcha and Wagashi set, or the Fuji beer!
3 / Nature Walks and Mountain Views / All Year Round
The third and final way to improve your wellness and relaxation in Hakone is spending time in the glorious nature that envelops the region. Hakone truly is a fantastic place for nature walks, blending landscapes that include lakes, mountains, forests and active volcanic areas. If you want to escape the Skyscrapers and concrete of the larger cities in Japan, Hakone should be a top pick for you. Chisuji Falls is a short nature walk through a beautiful forest that leads to Chisuji Falls, a multi-stream waterfall sure to impress. It is a peaceful and easy trail of less than 1km, and perfect for those wanting to experience the quieter side of Hakone and its nature. Chisuji even has free foot bath visitors can enjoy, so you can combine both your love of nature and relaxation at the same time! It is the perfect way to unwind after your short hike. Our top pick, especially during the Autumn is Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields! This area is home to expansive fields of Pampas Grass that shimmers silver and gold in the sunlight. To see the Pampas Grass sway in the wind makes the landscape look as if it is breathing. Visitors can enjoy the walking trail that takes you directly through these fields. It is a short and easy walk of 2 – 3 km.
You cannot visit Hakone to experience nature without also visiting Lake Ashi. Many people love to do the pirate ship boat cruise across the lake, but it is also a great idea to do a shore walk along the Lake. Visitors can enjoy serene views of the water, surrounding mountains, and of course Hakone Shrine. On clear days, you can even see Mount Fuji! The distance depends on where you start your walk, but shorter and easier routes are available both Moto-Hakone and Hakone-Machi. Finally, if you’re enjoying nature walks along Lake Ashi, then make sure to also head to the Hakone Checkpoint to walk part of the old Tokaido Road. This historic path follows the route of the old Tokaido highway which connected Tokyo to Kyoto during the Edo period. The cobbled road runs through a beautiful stretch of forest where you can enjoy towering Cedar trees. This is the longest of the nature walks that is easy to moderate, running approximately 8km from Moto-Hakone to Hakone-Yumoto if you want to do the entire stretch in Hakone.
HOW TO SPEND 48 HOURS IN JAPAN’S MOUNTAINOUS REGION
The mountainous landscape of Hakone is home to some amazing scenery and attractions. Most famous as being an Onsen (Hot Spring) resort area, for its nature, and an abundance of Museums, you can have a well balanced stay of relaxation, culture and being active. Two days is a perfect amount of time to spend in Hakone, do some exploring and see most of what Hakone can offer. To help you navigate the tricky question of how you should spend your short time wisely in Hakone, we have an itinerary suitable for a 48 hour stay. Check out our ’Two Days in Hakone’ page for more information. We hope this page will give you the inspiration you need! Many of the places we have included in this itinerary will offer great views of Mount Fuji on clear and fair weather days, but if you want more information on where to see Mount Fuji in Hakone then check out our ’Where to See Mount Fuji in Hakone’ page.
20 BEST THINGS TO DO AROUND HAKONE
Readily accessible from Tokyo using the trains, Hakone offers visitors lots of reasons to visit. Most famously, Hakone is known of its numerous guesthouses including many ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), many of which have their own hot springs and offer international visitors the chance to enjoy the total comfort and relaxation of Japanese service. A popular getaway destination for Tokyoites, Hakone is home to many excellent galleries, museums, onsen, restaurants and of course, known for its outstanding views of Mount Fuji. Check out our ‘20 Best Things to do in and Around Hakone’ page for inspiration and information for planning your Hakone trip!
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING HAKONE
When booking your accommodation in Hakone, it’s important to do your research and choose a hotel or guesthouse in an area that suits your needs. Most international visitors will travel to and from Hakone by train, making the area around Hakone-Yumoto Station a convenient and popular choice with a good range of accommodation options. Outside the central town, Gora is another popular accommodation area accessible by car or using the Hakone Tozan Railway. Nearby Sengokuhara has a good range of hotels and restaurants however is harder to reach using public transport while the hotels of Ashinoko are distant from the main accommodation and dining areas. Our ‘Best Places to Stay in Hakone’ page has lots of information to help you choose the right for you including accommodation listings.
HOW TO GET TO HAKONE
Hakone-Yumoto Station is the gateway to the Hakone area and readily accessible using trains services from Tokyo and beyond. For information on how to get there, see our ‘How to Get to Hakone’ page.
BOOK WITH US! NAGANO’S NO.1 TOUR & CHARTER OPERATOR
Japan offers many, many reasons to visit. Operating all year round, we are Nagano’s No.1-rated tour and charter operator, offering a range of services including group tours, private tours and charters. We can arrange transport including a private vehicle and driver, to transport you to, from and between any destination in our service areas in Japan. If you want to plan a trip to travel to Hakone from Tokyo or Nagano, simply contact us to enquire about our charter services.
Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule.
We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Japan and help you discover even more!
Why choose us?
Awarded a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Nagano and Japan.
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