gray house under brown mountain during daytime

Hakone

Hakone is a resort town in western Kanagawa Prefecture known for hot springs, Lake Ashi and views of Mount Fuji, and it is reachable from Tokyo by train.

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Hakone is a resort town in the hills of western Kanagawa Prefecture, just east of Hakone Pass. It is known for hot springs, Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine, which stands on the lake shore. Much of the town sits within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and Mount Fuji can be seen from several places in the town. The hot spring districts include Yumoto, Tonosawa, Odaira, Miyanoshita, Kowakidani, Gora and Sengokuhara. Ōwakudani, a valley of steaming volcanic vents, can be reached by the Hakone Ropeway and is one of the town's main sights.

Hakone is close enough to Tokyo for a day trip, but one night gives time for an onsen stay and a morning on Lake Ashi. Spring brings cherry blossoms in April and azaleas at Kowakidani from late April to late May. Autumn brings silver pampas grass (susuki), and Sengokuhara holds a susuki festival in late September. Sengokuhara sits on a plateau about 700 m up, so it is colder than lower Yumoto near Odawara. Bring a warm layer for evenings.

Hakone in five

Decide: day trip or one nightA day trip fits the full loop if you start early. One night in an onsen ryokan gives you the bath, a slow evening and the lake before the tour groups arrive.Day trip or overnight
Buy the Free Pass only for a full loopThe Hakone Freepass covers one Odakyu round trip from Shinjuku plus the Tozan railway, cable car, ropeway, cruise and buses. Skip it if you only visit Yumoto.Is the Hakone Free Pass worth it?
Base yourself in Gora for the loopGora sits at the top of the Tozan railway and the start of the cable car. Yumoto is cheaper and easier to reach; Moto-Hakone has the lake and the shrine.Where to stay in Hakone
Go on a weekday in the clear monthsFuji is most often visible from November to February, early in the day. Weekends and autumn color days fill the ropeway and the boats with long queues.Best time to visit Japan
Check the ropeway status that morningVolcanic gas, wind and maintenance can close sections of the Owakudani ropeway. Substitute buses run, but the schedule changes, so check the operator's page before you set out.

Things to do in Hakone

See all attractions in Hakone

Museum · HakonePola Museum of ArtUse the free shuttle from Gora Station for access.

Sight · HakoneOkada Museum of Art

Sight · HakoneAshi-no-ko

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to HakonePut the places you like in Hakone on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Romancecar from Shinjuku, about 85 min, or shinkansen to Odawara
Getting around: Tozan train, cable car, ropeway, cruise and buses
Best base: Gora for the loop, Yumoto for a quick stay
Time needed: 1 day for the loop, 2 days with an onsen night
Lodging tax: ¥150 bathing tax per person, per night; check the town site for any new tax Read more

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good

JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Clear Fuji, cold
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Clear Fuji, cold
MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Cool, plum blossom
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Cherry blossom
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Green, Golden Week
JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Rainy season
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Hydrangea, humid
AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, festival
SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Typhoon risk
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Pampas grass
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Autumn color
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, clear Fuji

Average daily high and low in Hakone, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Hakone

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 15°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 47%

Hakone

05:36 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+9

Today13°10°47%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 47%.
Wed12°10°76%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 76%.
Thu16°11°96%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 96%.
Fri18°9°16%Friday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 16%.
Sat13°7°44%Saturday: Fog. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 44%.
Sun12°5°29%Sunday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 29%.
Mon10°5°26%Monday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 26%.

Updated 05:24 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY

Amount

Converted to

JPY · Japanese Yen

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Hakone

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Tokyo, JapanGrand Sumo in TokyoJan 10 – 24, 2027 · Read the event guide

Every year

AprShingen-ko FestivalFuji Five Lakes, a day trip
MayKanda MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
MaySanja MatsuriAsakusa, a day trip
JunSannō MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
Jul–AugTokyo Idol FestivalTokyo, a day trip
AugFukagawa MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
AugKōenji Awa OdoriTokyo, a day trip
AugJingu Fireworks FestivalTokyo, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Hakone

Hakone Free Pass or ticketsOdakyu return plus loop transportSee pass prices

Ryokan and onsen staysCompare Gora, Yumoto and the lakeCheck availability

eSIM for JapanData for trains and mountain signal gapsRead the guide

Travel insuranceMedical cover for JapanRead the guide

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Rules for Hakone, checked

The Hakone Freepass covers the Odakyu round trip and listed Hakone transport. Romancecar seats need a separate ticket.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Hakone guides

a large body of water with a mountain in the background

Where to stayWhere to stay in Hakone: five bases, from onsen ryokan to OdawaraChecked Oct 1, 2026

How toHakone day trip or overnight? The Free Pass, Romancecar and the loopChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Hakone

Where to see Mt Fuji

Clear-day viewpoints and the months Fuji shows itself.

Read the guide Is the JR Pass worth it

Price the route before you buy any national pass.

Read the guide Best time to visit Japan

Blossom, autumn color, rainy season and clear Fuji months.

Read the guide Best eSIM for Japan

Data plans for trains, cities and the mountains.

Read the guide

Hakone FAQ

Is Hakone worth visiting?

Yes, if you want onsen and a chance at Mt Fuji within 90 minutes of Tokyo. It is at its best on a clear winter morning or with one night in a ryokan. Skip it on a rainy day, when the loop views are usually lost.

Can you do Hakone as a day trip from Tokyo?

Yes. The loop of Tozan train, cable car, ropeway and lake cruise fits in about 6–8 hours, plus roughly 3 hours of return travel. Leave Shinjuku by 8am. It feels rushed, and one night is more relaxed.

Is the Hakone Free Pass worth it?

It pays off if you ride most of the loop and use the Odakyu round trip from Shinjuku. If you only go to Hakone-Yumoto for a bath, single tickets are cheaper. The pass does not cover Romancecar seats.

How many days do you need in Hakone?

Two days and one night is the sweet spot: the loop on day one, an onsen evening, then a slower morning by the lake. One day works if you leave Tokyo early and accept a full schedule.

Where should I stay in Hakone for a first trip?

Gora, if you plan to ride the cable car and ropeway. Hakone-Yumoto is cheaper and closer to Tokyo. Moto-Hakone suits lake views and a quiet dawn.

Is there a tax on hotels in Hakone?

Stays with hot spring baths collect a bathing tax of ¥150 per person per night. Check the Hakone town site when you book in case a new lodging tax has been added.