Hakone, A Blissful Escape from Tokyo

Located in western Kanagawa Prefecture, the town of Hakone is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (富士箱根伊豆國家公園). It takes only 1.5 hours from Tokyo to Hakone, which offers the tourists an easy excursion from the hustle and bustle of the capital, brimming with stunning views of Mount Fuji, high quality natural hot springs and more undiscovered treasures.

Owakudani (大涌谷) is accessible from Hakone-Yumoto Station either via train, cable car, or ropeway. Due to the volcanic eruption over 3,000 years ago, it is a volcanic valley with active sulfur vents and hot springs. We can even catch the view of Mt. Fuji on a clear day. If you are unlucky, just grab the hard-boiled eggs which are believed to extend your life by seven years.

After Mt. Hakone erupted 3,000 years ago, Lake Ashinoko (芦ノ湖) was formed in the caldera created within the mountain. A picturesque view of Mt. Fuji will never let you down. If you wish to get closer to the scenery, why not get on the pirate ships run by Hakone Sightseeing Boats? You can savor the landscape at either the ports of Moto-Hakone, Togendai, or Hakone-machi.

Unsurprisingly, the Hakone Shrine (箱根神社) is one of the must-visit destinations around Lake Ashinoko. With more than a thousand history, most visitors wish for a safe journey in front of the iconic red torii gate hidden by forest. Alternatively, tourists can ride the Hakone Tozan Railway which passes through dense forests and across bridges high up over picturesque gorges.

Situated in the mountains of Hakone, the Hakone Open-Air Museum (彫刻の森美術館) spreads across 70,000 square meters with the vast array of 120 sculptures. Being the first outdoor gallery in Japan since 1969, it set up the Picasso Pavilion for over 300 Spanish masterpieces. Don’t miss the breathtaking Hakone Glass Forest Museum, in order to dive into the world of Venetian glass.