The 10 Best Free Things to do in Hakone-machi, Kanto

May 22, 2021 Hana Mouser

Nestled in the mountains, Hakone's trains, trails, and gondolas showcase the breathtaking vistas of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, including close views of Mt. Fuji. The sulfurous steam from the region's volcanic activity fuels natural hot springs, the centerpieces of the many spas and resorts.
Restaurants in Hakone-machi

1. Choanji Temple

82 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0631 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-84-8187 https://www.hakonenavi.jp/spot/1222
Excellent
46%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 76 reviews

Choanji Temple

2. Hakone Shrine / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu

Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0522 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-83-7123 http://hakonejinja.or.jp/
Excellent
38%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,519 reviews

Hakone Shrine / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu

A striking red gate along the water designates the entrance to this ancient shrine, perched atop Mt. Komagatake, and reachable by cable car or foot.

Reviewed By razorbagel - Baltimore, United States

this serene lakeside shrine has everything - towering cedars, a beautiful torii gate on the shore of lake ashi, and a main shrine complex up a steep flight of stairs to make your pilgrimage worthwhile! there's usually a line to have a picture under the lakeside gate, but waiting is worthwhile and pleasant in the shade. don't be shy about exploring along the lakeshore after you get your photo. remember that this is a place of worship, so act accordingly while you're here.

3. Chisuji Falls

507 Kowakudani, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0406 Kanagawa Prefecture http://ww25.hakonekowakudani.com/
Excellent
27%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 85 reviews

Chisuji Falls

Reviewed By Gal_Anonim_Wawa - Warsaw, Poland

Good short hike, that you can extend to go further to the mountains if the weather is good. Highly recommended!

4. Mt. Kintoki

Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0631 Kanagawa Prefecture
Excellent
32%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 147 reviews

Mt. Kintoki

Reviewed By riikkaahr - Bern, Switzerland

We (family of three including two teenagers) went to the Hakone area to get a good glimpse of Mount Fuji. On arrival it was rainy and completely overcast but we were fortunate to wake up to beautiful bluebird skies and April sun the next morning. Not keen to take the cable car / ropeway or lake cruise with the masses we were looking for a hike option and finally found info on Mount Kintoki. We took the bus from Gora Station in direction of the outlets and got out at Sengokuhara (stop 246). Off the main road, there are lovely wooden signs all the way up. It took us about 55 minutes (breaks included) to hike up (see red route on the map) and we were rewarded by a beautiful view of Mt Fuji. We then hiked down to the Kintoki Shrine (see the green route on the map) in about 50 minutes. Please note, we are quite fit and were a bit faster than what the signs indicated, about 20min on the way up and perhaps 15min on the way down. There is another bus stop right at the shrine so you can hop on conveniently off the trail head / shrine parking lot. The buses run about every 30 min during day time. Great day - warmly recommended!

5. Owaku-dani Valley

1251 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0631 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-84-9605 http://www.owakudani.com
Excellent
34%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2,197 reviews

Owaku-dani Valley

Reviewed By geotech522

I was fortunate to be able to take the Hakone Ropeway up to the transfer station at Owaku-dani and get off to experience this volcanic valley which is a volcanic crater. created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. This is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced. Owaku-dani had a great view of Mount Fuji as it was clear on the day I visited; however, I understand that this may have been one of the better days as it was clear when I got there and began to cloud up a little later in the day. A short walking trail from the Ropeway Station leads to the volcanic zone where there are numerous of steam vents and bubbling pools. The smell of sulfur may be quite strong and there are alarms when the levels are high. The area may be closed if there is judged to be dangerous levels of gas or if volcanic activity is judged to be imminent. If open, worth a visit as this is an unusual place and a great geologic wonder. There is a geologic museum and places to eat there also. You can also purchase boiled eggs, cooked in the naturally hot water, whose shells are blackened by the sulfur; it is said to prolong one's life by seven years.

6. Onshi Hakone Park

171 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0522 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-83-7484 http://www.kanagawa-park.or.jp/onsisite/
Excellent
35%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 175 reviews

Onshi Hakone Park

Reviewed By Cinghiale

As one of our first site-seeing destinations using the Hakone free pass, Onshi Hakone Park was emblematic of the beauty and tranquility of Japan. The gardens and woods alone are worth a visit, but the views from the park of Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji and the surrounding hills are stunning. The Hakone free pass is symbolic of the peerless public transport and infrastructure that we encountered in Japan. From the shuttle bus between the Hakone- Yumoto train station and Lake Ashi, to the site-seeing cruise on a pseudo-pirate ship across the lake (with views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day), the Hakone ropeway (gondola) to the otherworldly sulfur-infused atmosphere of Owakudani, the cable car to Gora where we visited the beautiful gardens, another bus to the Hakone Open-Air Museum and then the cog railway back to Hakone-Yumoto, the Hakone free pass allowed us to take in more in a single day than we would have thought possible. (TripAdvisor should include the Hakone free pass as an attraction.)

7. Sengokuhara

Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0500 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-84-7293 http://www.hakonenavi.jp/area/sengokuhara/
Excellent
26%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 488 reviews

Sengokuhara

Reviewed By sharonmG3877NY - Hong Kong, China

The day we walked here from our hotel nearby the access road for walkers was closed because of the typhoon which had passed by, so we could only see it from the main road. It is a beautiful grassland area and we did enjoy looking at the wind blowing through the grass.

8. Otome Toge

Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0631 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-85-5700
Excellent
36%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 94 reviews

Otome Toge

9. Hakone Stone‐paved Road

Hatajuku, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0314 Kanagawa Prefecture http://www.town.hakone.kanagawa.jp/index.cfm/8,270,37,156,html
Excellent
32%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 151 reviews

Hakone Stone‐paved Road

Reviewed By oliverb440 - Germany, null

I walked that way to get an idea of history and also do some nice trekking in nature. Be aware that at around 9 am tour buses will start to throw out hords of people, who will join your trip... So be social or get there early.

10. Tamadare Falls / Hien Falls

682 Yumoto Tenseien, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0311 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-83-8500 http://www.tenseien.co.jp/floorguide/tamadare.html
Excellent
25%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 67 reviews

Tamadare Falls / Hien Falls

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