Gora Onsen: Hot Spring Guide & Visitor Access (Kanagawa)

Spreading out around Gora Station, the terminus of the Hakone Tozan Railway, Gora Onsen lies on a highland more than five hundred meters above sea level. From milky water drawn from Owakudani to sulfur springs from Mount Soun, and from clear water to faint brown tones, few places offer such a variety of springs in one area, earning it the nickname of the five colored springs.

Highlights

• A diverse range of waters that differ in color by source, from clear to milky white to pale yellow
• Hakone Gora Park, a French style formal garden opened in 1914
• The mountain travel mood of changing from the railway to the cable car at Gora Station
• Strolls among the Hakone Museum of Art and other nearby galleries

Enjoying the Seasons

In the fresh green season the trees of the gardens and museums come alive, and in autumn the whole area is wrapped in red foliage. The roses and spring flowers of Gora Park are also a delight, giving each season its own character. In winter you can soak in colorful waters under clear air and savor the personality of the resort itself.

Access and Basic Information

• About forty minutes from Hakone Yumoto Station by Hakone Tozan Railway to the terminus at Gora
• Gora Station is the transfer point to the mountain cable car, which climbs toward Mount Soun
• Hakone Gora Park is about a five minute walk from Gora Station. Admission is six hundred fifty yen for adults and free for elementary school children and younger
• Gora Park is open from nine to five from March through November, and from nine thirty to four thirty from December through February, with last entry thirty minutes before closing in both cases
• Water types are varied, including simple springs, sulfate springs, chloride springs, and sulfur springs

Practical Travel Notes

• The best seasons are the fresh green of May and June and the autumn leaves of November. The roses of Gora Park reach their peak in spring and autumn
• Because each inn draws from a different source, visiting several inns that accept day bathing lets you feel the differences in the water. Prices range from a few hundred to over a thousand yen depending on the facility
• From Gora Station to Gora Park and on up to Mount Soun by cable car, you can enjoy garden strolls and mountain views in about half a day
• To avoid crowds, aim for weekdays or mornings. On peak weekends for autumn leaves or roses, both the railway and the cable car tend to be busy

A Quick Tip

Because each inn in Gora draws from a different source, the color and feel of the water change from place to place. Trying a few day baths side by side is the best way to appreciate what makes Gora so interesting. The journey itself, changing from the mountain railway to the cable car, is a pleasure unique to this spa town.