Top Things to do in Hakone-machi
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Top 10 Things to do in Hakone-machi, Kanto
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. The Hakone Open-Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,729 reviews
Art blends with nature at this huge outdoor sculpture park, where works by both Japanese and Western artists are framed by trees, grass and mountains.
Reviewed By rodrigolaniado - Shanghai, China
It was truly amazing It was my first open air museum and won’t be the last The sculptures are incredible and go perfectly with the impecable gardens Also you have plenty Picasso art which gives a good contrast with the outside exposures
2. Pola Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 785 reviews
Reviewed By yshargal - Haifa, Israel
The building itself is worth a visit. This is not meant to detract from the interesting, worthwhile exposition of modern art. You can actually walk to it from Gora train station. Don’t miss
3. Okada Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
The Okada Museum of Art opened in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan in 2013. Okada Museum of Art displays approximately 450 artworks. Japan’s leading artists including Katsushika Hokusai, Kitagawa Utamaro, Tawaraya Sotatsu, and Ito Jakuchu,all have their artwork on display here so this museum is definitely a must-see. In front of the mural “Wind/Time” depicting the Wind God and Thunder God are footbaths with constantly flowing 100% natural hot spring water (No hydrolysis-warming). This alkaline hot spring water is perfect for relaxing after enjoying the Museum. A restaurant is also located on the grounds, making this an art museum you can enjoy your entire day in.
Reviewed By mazalea2012 - Raleigh, United States
The collection at this private museum outside of Hakone is a marvel. Each successive room filled with beautiful screens, exquisite pottery and vases, sculpture, bowls and textiles is unsurpassed. We could have spent more time there because of the many well curated treasures here.
4. Lake Ashinoko
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,771 reviews
Created 3,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, this lake is cruised by boats year round and, from its southern edge, offers the view of Mt. Fuji often seen in tourist brochures.
Reviewed By KKgirl93 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
If you are blessed with beautiful weather, your cruise on Lake Ashi will be amazing. We were fortunate enough to take a short cruise on a cloudless, blue-sky day, and thoroughly enjoyed the serene surroundings. Mount Fuji was not very clearly in view during our cruise, but we could see her silhouette.
5. Hakone Tozan Railway
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,892 reviews
Railroad buffs in particular will enjoy a ride on this small train, which includes two stretches, the more scenic of which is Hakone Yumoto to Gora.
Reviewed By rangaface - Adelaide, Australia
We chose the cable car on the way home as we caught the bus up the hill on the way in and didn’t get to experience the amazing greenery of sights up and down the mountain like you can on the cable car. It may add an extra half an hour to your trip down the mountain - but well worth it.
6. Hakone Shrine / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,519 reviews
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.
7. Hakone Ropeway
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,412 reviews
Glide through the skies in the world’s second-longest cable car, whose 13-passenger gondolas offer breathtaking panoramic views.
Reviewed By F2239QNrosec - Melbourne, Australia
The ropeway (in my view more a cable car) provided an excellent morning of views and education, as well as the chance to eat black eggs (which taste like normal eggs), black curry bun (tasty!) and we also sampled a black icecream. However, the main activity was the ride over the thermal vents, and the viewpoint from the end of the ride. There was a geology museum, as well as a number of shops. The trip continued with another ride, this time to Lake Ashi, where there might have been a view of Mt Fuji, except for the customary cloud cover. There were a number of options for a lake trip, but we didn’t do this. The round trip was about $A50, so on the more expensive side for our large family, but worth it. Note: we walked to the base station from the Hakone village, which was a stiff climb of about an hour, and could have been done by bus or car. There was no real benefit to the walk, in that there were no views to speak of, but it was a good work out!
8. Owaku-dani Valley
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,197 reviews
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.
9. Hakone Venetian Glass Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 876 reviews
Reviewed By JRP-Bkk - Bangkok, Thailand
I was expecting a “ vases in glass cases “ museum instead the exhibits included work by some of the world’s best known glass artists including Dale Chihuly and collaborative works with Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagal . Truly impressive !! The pizza’s good as well . Overall anexcellent visit especially on a rainy day with the onset of Typhoon Hagibis.
10. Little Prince Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 524 reviews
The Little Prince Museum is the world’s only museum devoted to The Little Prince. It was created as part of the worldwide celebration of the birth centennial of author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The museum, which explores Saint-Exupéry’s life, also features a French townscape and European garden, set within the lush natural beauty of Hakone.
Reviewed By tohxinru - Singapore, Singapore
The Little Prince Museum exhibition hall is hidden inside the fake French shops, and judging by some reviews it looks like some visitors missed entering the exhibition hall. The exhibition describes Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's life and The Little Prince story, but the exhibition panels are almost entirely in Japanese. You can rent an audio guide in Japanese, English, or Mandarin for 200 yen. You can also borrow a free guide book in different languages. Photography is not allowed in the second floor of the exhibition hall, but it is laid out in an immersive and interesting manner. You can also visit little booths within the exhibition where you can chop on the brochure to complete the illustrations. The small gardens contain statues of illustrations from the book, such as the people on different planets whom The Little Prince met. The staff members were friendly and offered to take photographs of us in the gardens. The museum shop sells many The Little Prince merchandise such as magnets and mugs. The restaurant sells themed desserts (starting from 11am) and meals (starting from 11.30am) for 1000+ yen. For example, for 1300 yen without set / 1750 yen with set, you can have rice omelette in the shape of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant. I spent 3 hours here including lunch. I recommend The Little Prince Museum for those who have read and enjoyed the The Little Prince or other books by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Minimally, one should have at least watched The Little Prince movie. If not, this museum will probably be meaningless to those who have no clue what The Little Prince is about. There are lockers in various sizes next to the entrance where you can stash your bags for free, though you can lock them for 100 yen if your bags contain valuables. If you only want to visit The Little Prince Museum, you can download the HIS Coupon app, in which you can download a 200 yen discount coupon for The Little Prince Museum. If you are visiting several museums, there are combination tickets for The Little Prince Museum and Pola Museum of Art (adult 2600 yen) / Lalique Museum Hakone (adult 2600 yen) / Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (adult 2400 yen) / Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands (adult 1900 yen), Hakone-En Aquarium (adult 2500 yen). The duration of the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus ride from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to The Little Prince Museum is around 2h and costs 1900 yen. The duration of the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus ride from Gotemba Station to The Little Prince Museum is around 25min and costs around 700 to 800 yen.
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