Hakone Yumoto: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors

Top Reasons to Visit Hakone Yumoto

Hakone Yumoto is a charming hot spring town located just a short train ride from Tokyo. It’s a popular destination for both Japanese and international tourists, thanks to its beautiful scenery, relaxing onsen (hot spring) baths, and delicious local cuisine.

Here are a few of the top reasons to visit Hakone Yumoto:

• Stunning scenery: Hakone Yumoto is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains and forests. The area is known for its beautiful hiking trails, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
• Relaxing and rejuvenating onsen baths: Hakone Yumoto is home to numerous onsen baths, which are said to have therapeutic benefits. Visitors can choose from a variety of different onsen, including indoor and outdoor baths, private and public baths, and even onsen with different mineral compositions.
• Delicious local cuisine: Hakone Yumoto is known for its delicious local cuisine, which includes a variety of dishes made with fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditional Japanese dishes to Western-style cuisine.
• Plenty of things to see and do: In addition to its natural beauty and onsen baths, Hakone Yumoto is also home to a number of historical and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which features a collection of sculptures and other works of art; visit the Hakone Shrine, which is dedicated to the god of hot springs; or take a boat ride on Lake Ashi.

Attractions

Hakone Open-Air Museum

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is a unique museum that features a collection of sculptures and other works of art set in a beautiful outdoor setting. The museum is home to over 1,000 works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and installations. Visitors can wander through the museum’s gardens and enjoy the art while also taking in the beautiful scenery.

Specialties:

• The Open-Air Sculpture Park: The museum’s main attraction is its outdoor sculpture park, which features a variety of sculptures from different periods and styles.
• The Picasso Pavilion: The museum also houses a pavilion dedicated to the works of Pablo Picasso. The pavilion features a collection of Picasso’s paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.
• The Children’s Forest: The museum has a special area dedicated to children, which features a variety of interactive exhibits and play areas.

Hakone Shrine

The Hakone Shrine is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the god of hot springs. The shrine is located on the shores of Lake Ashi, and it offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Visitors can explore the shrine’s grounds and learn about the history and culture of Shintoism.

Specialties:

• The Torii Gate: The shrine’s most iconic feature is its large red torii gate, which stands in the middle of Lake Ashi.
• The Main Shrine Building: The shrine’s main building is a beautiful wooden structure that houses the shrine’s sacred objects.
• The Treasure Museum: The shrine also has a museum that houses a collection of artifacts and treasures related to the shrine’s history.

Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi is a beautiful lake that is surrounded by mountains. The lake is a popular destination for boating and fishing, and it also offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery. Visitors can take a boat ride on the lake or simply relax on the shore and enjoy the views.

Specialties:

• The Hakone Pirate Ship: The Hakone Pirate Ship is a replica of a 17th-century pirate ship that offers cruises on Lake Ashi.
• The Hakone Ropeway: The Hakone Ropeway is a cable car that offers stunning views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains.
• The Hakone Shrine: The Hakone Shrine is located on the shores of Lake Ashi, and it offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Hakone Ropeway

The Hakone Ropeway is a cable car that offers stunning views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains. The ropeway is a popular way to travel between Hakone Yumoto and Togendai, and it also offers a great way to see the sights of Hakone.

Specialties:

• The Views: The Hakone Ropeway offers stunning views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains.
• The Gondolas: The ropeway’s gondolas are large and comfortable, and they offer panoramic views of the surrounding scenery.
• The Stations: The ropeway has two stations, Hakone Yumoto Station and Togendai Station. Both stations offer a variety of shops and restaurants.

Hakone Gora Park

Hakone Gora Park is a park that is located on the slopes of Mount Sounzan. The park features a variety of attractions, including a botanical garden, a museum, and a hot spring bath. Visitors can explore the park’s gardens and enjoy the beautiful scenery, or they can visit the museum to learn about the history and culture of Hakone.

Specialties:

• The Botanical Garden: The park’s botanical garden features a variety of plants and flowers from around the world.
• The Museum: The park’s museum features a collection of artifacts and treasures related to the history and culture of Hakone.
• The Hot Spring Bath: The park also has a hot spring bath, where visitors can relax and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the hot spring waters.

Delicacies

Hakone Manju

Hakone Manju is a steamed bun that is filled with sweet red bean paste. The buns are made with a soft and fluffy dough, and they are often stamped with the image of a mountain. Hakone Manju is a popular snack and souvenir, and it can be found at many shops and restaurants in Hakone.

Onsen Tamago

Onsen Tamago are eggs that are boiled in the hot spring waters. The eggs have a unique flavor and texture, and they are often served with soy sauce and grated ginger. Onsen Tamago is a popular snack and appetizer, and it can be found at many onsen baths and restaurants in Hakone.

Soba Noodles

Soba noodles are buckwheat noodles that are often served with a dipping sauce. The noodles are made with a combination of buckwheat flour and wheat flour, and they have a slightly nutty flavor. Soba noodles are a popular dish in Japan, and they can be found at many restaurants in Hakone.

Udon Noodles

Udon noodles are thick wheat noodles that are often served in a hot broth. The noodles are made with a combination of wheat flour and water, and they have a chewy texture. Udon noodles are a popular dish in Japan, and they can be found at many restaurants in Hakone.

Tempura

Tempura is a dish that consists of seafood and vegetables that are deep-fried in a light batter. The batter is made with a combination of flour, water, and eggs, and it is often flavored with soy sauce and mirin. Tempura is a popular dish in Japan, and it can be found at many restaurants in Hakone.

Souvenir Guide

Hakone Manju

Hakone Manju is a steamed bun that is filled with sweet red bean paste. The buns are made with a soft and fluffy dough, and they are often stamped with the image of a mountain. Hakone Manju is a popular snack and souvenir, and it can be found at many shops and restaurants in Hakone.

Onsen Tamago

Onsen Tamago are eggs that are boiled in the hot spring waters. The eggs have a unique flavor and texture, and they are often served with soy sauce and grated ginger. Onsen Tamago is a popular snack and appetizer, and it can be found at many onsen baths and restaurants in Hakone.

Hakone Wood Carvings

Hakone Wood Carvings are intricate wood carvings that are often made into small figurines or ornaments. The carvings are made from a variety of different types of wood, and they often depict traditional Japanese scenes or characters. Hakone Wood Carvings are a popular souvenir, and they can be found at many shops and galleries in Hakone.

Hakone Glassware

Hakone Glassware is beautiful glassware that is often made with intricate designs. The glassware is made from a variety of different types of glass, and it often features colorful patterns and designs. Hakone Glassware is a popular souvenir, and it can be found at many shops and galleries in Hakone.

Hakone Tea

Hakone Tea is a variety of teas that are grown in the Hakone area. The teas are made from a variety of different types of tea leaves, and they often have a unique flavor and aroma. Hakone Tea is a popular souvenir, and it can be found at many shops and tea houses in Hakone.

Detailed Itinerary

This is just a suggested itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your own interests and time constraints. For example, if you are interested in hiking, you could spend more time exploring the Hakone Open-Air Museum’s outdoor sculpture park. Or, if you are interested in art, you could visit the Hakone Museum of Art instead of Hakone Gora Park.