Hakone — Onsen with Fuji View★★★
Hakone is Tokyo's most popular weekend destination — an onsen resort in the mountains, just 90 minutes from the capital, with steaming hot springs, a sparkling mountain lake, and (in clear weather) a postcard-perfect view of Mount Fuji.
The Hakone Free Pass (¥6,100 from Shinjuku, valid for 2 days) is the key to Hakone: It includes the journey with the Romancecar train and all means of transport in the Hakone loop — a route that takes you through various modes of transport:
- Hakone-Tozan Railway: Mountain railway with switchbacks through hydrangea forests
- Ropeway: Over the Ōwakudani Valley — a steaming, sulfur-yellow volcanic valley with fumaroles. Here, you eat Kuro-Tamago (black eggs, cooked in sulfur springs, ¥500/5 pieces). Legend has it that each egg extends life by seven years.
- Pirate ship on Lake Ashi: Cruise over the mountain lake with Fuji panorama in the background (weather dependent!)
Hakone has dozens of onsen — from luxurious ryokans with private outdoor baths (Rotenburo) to public baths (Sento) to the free footbath at the station. The Hakone Yuryo (¥1,500) is a modern day onsen with various pools and Fuji view.
For art lovers: The Hakone Open-Air Museum (¥1,600) showcases sculptures by Picasso, Henry Moore, and Niki de Saint Phalle in a mountain panorama — one of the most unusual museums in the world.
💡 Tipp
Fuji is most visible in the morning (before 10 a.m.) and on clear winter days. November to February offers the best chances. In summer, it often hides behind clouds. Stay in a ryokan with a private onsen — the most romantic experience in the region.
Achtung
The Ōwakudani area is closed during increased volcanic activity — this happens several times a year. Check the status in advance (Hakone Navi App). For those with asthma or breathing problems, the sulfur fumes are problematic.
