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21 Things to do Hakone, Japan

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These are my carefully selected 21 tips & things to do in Hakone which I've visited during a massive typhoon and includes gems like Ninja Cafe Fuma, Ryokan Senkei, Eating Black Eggs, cruising on a Pirate Boat, Joro Spiders and dipping into a wine and coffee spa at Yunessun water park.

Tips & Advice
  • What: Hakone region
  • Discounts: Buy the Hakone Freepass for FREE transportation on boats, trains, buses, cable cars & rope ways in Hakone + perks & discounts!
  • Wifi: Connectivity can be poor in Hakone so get a portable Wifi station at the airport (20% discount).
  • When: Spring & Fall
  • Tips: Stay at least 2 days and 2 nights for the full Hakone experience.
  • Related: Hedgehog Cafe and Yunessun Waterpark

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incredible bento box on the Romancecar train towards Hakone in Hakone, Japan the famous black eggs at Owakudani in Hakone in Hakone, Japan Owakudani volcano valley of active gasses with the Hakone ropeway car in Hakone, Japan Hakone Open-Air Museum in Hakone, Japan

Hakone is one of the mosy beautiful regions near Tokyo. A visit to Hakone should be paired with a stay at a luxurious ryokan and a visit to the bizarre Yunessun water park. I highly recommend staying at least 2 days and 2 nights in the Hakone region which makes the purchase of the Hakone Freepass the more logical.

Map

Best Places for Travel in Hakone

  • 1. Hakone Romancecar

    Enjoy a cozy ride with the Romancecar from downtown Tokyo to Yumoto-Hakone station. Hakone Freepass gives you a discount!

  • 2. Bento Box

    No Japanese train adventure is complete without trying one of their delicious bento boxes.

  • 3. Hakone Tozen Railway

    Jump on the Hakone Tozen steep mountain trains to get to Gora village, it's almost like you are in Switzerland.

  • 4. Gora Village

    The perfect first day in Hakone is spent at Gora for its central location and local Japanese snack stores.

  • 5. Ninja Cafe Fuma

    Throw shurikens aka ninja stars and feast on ninja snacks like fried fish balls and tasty potato snacks.

  • 6. Joro Spiders

    Massive Japanese joro spiders, these colorful creepy crawlers are as poisonous as a black widow. So notorious, they exist in Japanese folklore as evil seducers!

Romancecar train towards Hakone in Hakone, Japan bento box in the train in Hakone, Japan delicious sticky mochi with red bean paste on a leaf in Hakone, Japan inside the cable car train towards Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan

Staying in Hakone for 2 days will allow you to see every attraction on the Hakone circle tour. The circle tour starts at Yumoto-Hakone main station and takes you into the mountains through the Owakudani crater and by ropeway back to Lake Ashi at which you jump on a pirate boat which transports you to the other side of the lake from which you take a bus to the Yumoto-Hakone main station again. A magical journey indeed!

  • 7. Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Most impressive museum in Hakone including a massive Picasso gallery. Entrance is FREE with the Hakone Freepass.

  • 8. Yunessun

    Jump into a wine, coffee, green tea and sake spa at this bizarre water park in Hakone.

  • 9. Gaku Guesthouse

    Save a ton of money by first staying at a simple Ryokan guesthouse in a Japanese style room. Billiards in the garage!

  • 10. Hakone Ropeway

    Get from Gora to Owakudani crater with the iconic Hakone ropeway with epic views of Mt. Fuji. If weather permits.

  • 11. Owakudani Crater

    The volcanic crater still boiling with volcanic gases, an interesting sight, not recommended if you have health problems.

  • 12. Black Eggs

    Most bizarre food in Hakone are these unique black eggs which gotten their color from being boiled in the volcanic crater.

most iconic view in Hakone: the pirate boat on Lake Ashi with Mt. Fuji in the background in Hakone, Japan most iconic view in Hakone: the pirate boat on Lake Ashi with Mt. Fuji in the background

During my first night I stayed at budget ryokan, Gaku Guesthouse which was conveniently located next to Gora station. In Gora you will find the Ninja Cafe Fuma where you can throw real ninja stars aka shiruken and feast on local ninja fried snacks.

  • 13. Lake Ashi

    Famous Lake Ashi has mesmerizing views of Mt. Fuji and Hakone Shrine. Transfer between the Hakone Ropeway to the Pirate boat.

  • 14. Pirate Boat

    No one would expect you sailing a pirate boat in Japan. The perfect selfie adventure with Mt. Fuji in the background.

  • 15. Hakone Shrine

    Known for its many selfies, the ideal Instagram photo spot.

  • 16. Ryokan Senkei

    No trip to Hakone is complete without staying at a luxurious Ryokan.

  • 17. Kaiseki Dinner

    At the luxurious ryokan make sure to include kaiseki dinner and breakfast to experience a true Japanese ritual.

  • 18. Onsen

    Top off your Hakone adventure with a dip in a famous Japanese onsen with views of the mountains. Be aware! You have to be naked!

ninja cafe fuma in Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan ninja cafe fuma in Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan ninja cafe fuma in Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan ninja cafe fuma in Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan Evangelion shop at Hakone station in Hakone, Japan Evangelion shop at Hakone station in Hakone, Japan Fuji-san is one of the ropeway cable cars with Mt. Fuji in the background in Hakone, Japan

In Gora you will also find the Yunessun water park which has a wine, coffee, green tea and sake spa including a massive outdoor pool area but also attractions like the Hakone Open-Air museum (Japan's first).

  • 19. Evangelion Store

    Since the Evangelion anime series took place in Hakone, they've dedicated an entire store to it full with merchandise. An Otaku's paradise!

  • 20. Odawara Castle

    Gorgeous Japanese castle at the base of the Hakone region, visit it on the way to Hakone or when you depart Hakone.

  • 21. Hakone Freepass

    Best bang for you buck! Includes free transportation on boats, cable cars, ropeways, buses and local trains + a ton of perks and discounts in Hakone. 5700 YEN = 51 USD.

Owakudani active volcano gasses in Hakone, Japan Owakudani active volcano gasses

After one night in Gora jump on the cable car and ropeway towards Owakudani where you can try out the unique black eggs which has gotten their color from being boiled into the volcano hot springs and Sulphur. On a clear day you are able to walk around this mesmerizing valley. Owakudani literally means Giant Boiling Valley.

black eggs cooked in the active volcano of Owakudani in Hakone, Japan the Owakudani black eggs in Hakone, Japan happy with my black eggs in Hakone, Japan the famous Owakudani black egg in Hakone, Japan black eggs store in Hakone, Japan visiting a shrine in pooring rain weather in hakone in Hakone, Japan the mountain train station in Hakone, Japan Owakudani active volcano in Hakone, Japan

Once you ate your black eggs continue on the ropeway towards Lake Ashi from where you jump on a pirate boat and cruise Lake Ashi while you enjoy beautiful views of Mount Fuji and the Hakone Shrine.

the impressive Picasso museum at Hakone Open-Air in Hakone, Japan the impressive Picasso museum at Hakone Open-Air

At the pirate boat dock, you can either visit the Hakone Shrine or jump on a bus back to Yumoto-Hakone station where you should spend your second night in a luxurious ryokan including a traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner and sleep in Japanese futons all presented by a Nakai, a Japanese house maid. On the third day before departing Hakone jump into an onsen, Japanese hot spring to conclude this magical experience in the Hakone region.

Hakone Open-Air Museum in Hakone, Japan Hakone Open-Air Museum in Hakone, Japan Hakone Open-Air Museum in Hakone, Japan Hakone Open-Air Museum in Hakone, Japan my E.Honda pose in the $50 Ryokan Gaku Guesthouse in Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan dressed in my Yukata in the $500 Ryokan at Senkei in Yumoto, Hakone in Hakone, Japan enjoy the Wine Spa at the Yunessun Water Park in Hakone, Japan in Hakone, Japan massive Japanese wine party in a Wine Spa at the Yunessun Water Park in Hakone, Japan in Hakone, Japan

My favorite part of this trip was the Yunessun water park, dipping in a wine and coffee spa was such a memorable experience that it wasn't too uncommon seeing literally everyone taking selfies. Make sure to watch my complete YouTube episode on the Yunessun water park.

gigantic spiders at Hakone, Japan - be aware! in Hakone, Japan gigantic spiders at Hakone, Japan - be aware!

In conclusion, had I known about the Hakone freepass prior I would have saved myself a lot of money but due to the lack of research on my part I missed out on this great opportunity. Get your own Hakone Freepass with free access to buses, ropeways, cable cars, trains and boats plus a round trip from Tokyo to Hakone. 

Romancecar train towards Hakone in Hakone, Japan Romancecar train towards Hakone in Hakone, Japan Ninja cafe Fuma in Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan Ninja cafe Fuma in Gora, Hakone in Hakone, Japan Evangelion store in Hakone, Japan Yumoto-Hakone station in Hakone, Japan Hakone ropeway in Hakone, Japan Hakone Open-Air museum in Hakone, Japan

Buy Tickets for Hakone