Hakone Hot Spring and Museum: Itinerary (Kanagawa)

This is an ambitious course through the mountain hot spring resort of Hakone, connecting the mountain train, the ropeway and a sightseeing boat. It is perfect for anyone who wants art, nature and hot springs all in one day. The rides themselves become part of the fun. Plan about eight hours, and a free pass keeps the travel smooth. The spots are scattered across the mountains, so checking ride timetables in advance makes the day far more comfortable.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Hakone Yumoto Station From the gateway to the hot spring town, change to the Hakone mountain train and begin the journey up the slopes. The view from the window as the train switchbacks up the steep grade is a sight in itself.

9:40 Stroll the outdoor art at the Hakone Open Air Museum An open air museum where masterpiece sculptures dot a green hillside. Admission is 2,000 yen for adults, 1,600 yen for university and high school students, and 800 yen for elementary and junior high pupils, open 9:00 to 17:00 all year. Both children and adults can enjoy it. It is about a two minute walk from the Chokoku no Mori station on the mountain train.

11:30 Soak in Impressionism at the Pola Museum of Art In a beautiful building nestled in the forest, take your time with paintings by Monet and Renoir. Admission is 2,200 yen for adults, 1,700 yen for university and high school students, and free for those junior high age and under, open 9:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30. You reach it by a facility shuttle bus and similar from the Gora area.

13:00 Lunch break in Gora Rest with mountain fare such as hot spring buns and soba noodles. Gora is also the transfer point between the mountain train and the cable car, and eateries gather here.

14:00 Steam and black eggs at Owakudani Connect the cable car and the ropeway to the volcanic valley. Watch the white steam rise and try the famous black eggs. Ropeway service can change with volcanic gas conditions, so check the day operating information before you set out.

15:30 Cruise Lake Ashi on a sightseeing boat A boat trip with views of the Hakone mountains from the water. On clear days Mount Fuji appears. Board at Togendai port and head for a lakeside harbor.

16:30 Back to Hakone Yumoto for a hot spring finish Soothe your well walked body in a famous hot spring to close the day. Hakone Yumoto has scattered facilities that accept day use bathing.

Highlights

• The wide outdoor display area and mountain views at the Hakone Open Air Museum
• The Impressionist collection and forest architecture of the Pola Museum of Art
• The steaming volcanic scenery of Owakudani and its black eggs
• Mount Fuji seen from the sightseeing boat on Lake Ashi

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Early summer greenery and autumn foliage are especially beautiful. For Mount Fuji, a clear winter day with crisp air is also worth aiming for. The museums are quietest right after opening.
• Avoiding crowds: On weekends and long holidays the Owakudani ropeway and the sightseeing boat get busy. A flow of museums in the morning and rides in the afternoon tends to be smoother.
• Time needed: A full day including two museums, the ropeway and the boat, with travel time. If you want to avoid rushing, an overnight stay is recommended.
• Budget: A Hakone Free Pass (6,000 yen for adults for two days from Odawara, 7,100 yen for two days from Shinjuku) gives unlimited rides on the mountain train, cable car, ropeway and sightseeing boat. Museum admission is separate, though some facilities discount with the pass. Note that admission to the two museums alone runs about 3,800 yen for an adult.
• Nearby spots: Around Lake Ashi you will also find Hakone Shrine, the Narukawa Art Museum and the old cedar avenue of the historic road. With time to spare you can add them.

Access and Tips

• A Hakone Free Pass gives unlimited rides on the mountain train, cable car, ropeway and sightseeing boat
• The spots are scattered across the mountains, so checking ride timetables in advance is reassuring
• The elevation is high and days can be chilly, so bring a jacket
• Owakudani service can change with volcanic gas conditions, so check the day operating information

A Quick Tip

Covering Hakone in one day inevitably feels rushed. If time allows, stay overnight to savor the quiet hot spring town at night and the clear mountain air in the morning, and your satisfaction will rise sharply. Museum admission runs high, so checking free pass perks and official discount information in advance lets you tour wisely.