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Hakone

Japan travel guide

What to see in Hakone

Onsen, Lake Ashi and, if the day is clear, Fuji in the background: the classic getaway from Tokyo.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
  • Best time: from October to April
  • Stay in Hakone-Yumoto
Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

Hakone highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Lake Ashi

    A volcanic lake with views of Fuji on clear days.

  2. Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Outdoor sculptures and the Picasso Pavilion.

  3. Owakudani

    A sulphur valley; black onsen eggs and a ropeway.

  4. Hakone-Yumoto onsen

    The gateway to the area’s hot springs.

  5. Hakone Shrine

    A red torii in the waters of Lake Ashi.

Where to stay in Hakone

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

  • Recommended areas

    Hakone-Yumoto · Gora · Lake Ashi

Day trips from Hakone

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Hakone

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Hakone are from October to April.

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May with warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with warnings
  9. Sep with warnings
  10. Oct no warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • May

    Golden Week

    From 29 April to 5 May half of Japan is on the move: bullet trains packed, hotels expensive and queues everywhere.

    What to do: Book reserved shinkansen seats and your hotels as early as possible.

  • June, July

    Rainy season (tsuyu)

    From early June to mid-July it rains often and it’s hot and humid.

    What to do: Bring a folding umbrella and keep an indoor plan for each day; Hokkaido escapes it.

  • August, September

    A typhoon may pass through

    In August and September a typhoon can stop trains and flights for a day (in October it’s rare).

    What to do: Have an indoor plan (museums, covered temples, onsen) for the day it happens.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: an izakaya. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Japan guide.

  • Hatsuhana Soba

    Hakone-Yumoto

    Fresh soba in the valley.

  • Gora Brewery

    Gora

    Craft beer.

Frequently asked questions about Hakone

What to see in Hakone?

Lake Ashi, Hakone Open-Air Museum, Owakudani, Hakone-Yumoto onsen and Hakone Shrine.

What to see in Hakone in one day?

Don’t miss Lake Ashi, Hakone Open-Air Museum, Owakudani, Hakone-Yumoto onsen and Hakone Shrine. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Hakone?

The handiest areas to stay are Hakone-Yumoto, Gora and Lake Ashi.

What’s the best time to travel to Hakone?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Hakone are from October to April.

What day trips can you take from Hakone?

Hakone and Mount Fuji.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.