Hakone: Best Things to Do
SIGHTSEEING
Take a tour to Lake Ashi as a famous tourist spot to view Mount Fuji from Hakone. From this place, you can see the panoramic view of lake and mountain since Lake Ashi lies along the southwest wall of volcano complex. In this attraction area, you can also enjoy hot springs or onsen, historical sites and also stay at Japan's traditional ryokan. Remember, the clear stunning scenery will be perfect during the colder seasons.
DOWNTOWN
The heart of Hakone is located along shotengai street, just in front of Hakone Yumoto Station. This area is full of shops selling souvenirs and also street food stalls. Make sure to stroll along 200 meter long street and browse some souvenir stores here. One of the popular shops here is Hakone no Ichi. You will find a huge selection of hand-made stuff here.
SHOPPING
Hunting for souvenirs is the real pleasure of traveling. In Hakone, the famous area for huge range of souvenir shops is in Hakone Yumoto. Visit Hakone Yumoto Fukuzumiya, one of popular souvenirs shop. They sell various hand-made products including wooden mosaic, hot-springs product, and many more. Besides, In Hakone Yumoto, you can also find Hakone street food store. Make sure to buy traditional street food such as Tsuki no Usagi, Yumochi, and Surimi Dango.
FOOD & DRINK
Hakone has plenty of local food specialties to offers for the travelers. Try the most popular one, Balck egg (Kuro Tamago), the signature delicacy of Hakone. It is hot springs' boiled eggs that have black color because of the chemical reaction with geothermal heat and volcanic gas. Do not forget to try a unique fish cake namely Kamaboko. Red and white Kamaboko are the most common to served since those are believed to bring good luck. Lastly, sample the Hakona beer for the real traditional drink.
CULTURE
Hakone has long and intersting history that reflected through some celebrations and festivals every year. Some festivals and fireworks usually hold in summer. You can find Ashinoko Kosui Matsuri as one of the ceremonies on the water of the Dragon of Lake. You can also discover a historical parade where many local people wearing traditional costumes, called The Feudal festival.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
If you look for the perfect time to visit Hakone, you may go there between March to May. You will get a pleasant or warm temperature during your trip in Hakone.
HOTEL
Hakone has a lot of ways to make your trip great, one of them is through the accommodation. Staying at a unique hotel with Mount Fuji view is unforgettable. Head to Hotel Green Plaza Hakone for seeing the majestic mountain view from your room. Do not skip to experience Japanese traditional ryokan. Go book a room at Matsuzakaya Honten, one of the best ryokan in the city. This 4-star hotel has a private hot spring bath and a terrace. You can also find Asian breakfast in this place.
Matsuzakaya Honten
Hotel Green Plaza Hakone
RESTAURANT
Not only attracts the visitors from its onse, Hakone also has list of restaurants that make your trip more memorable. Itoh Dining by NOBU is one of the favorite places to sample Japanese food. You can find a wide choice of lunch sets such as teppanyaki, steak, salad and many more. All the menus and restaurant's decorations make this place a special one. If you are looking for a Vegan option, head to Tamura Ginkatsutei Honten. This restaurant has many choices of vegetarian, Japanese and Asian menus. They serve amazing portion with incredible taste for Hakone traditional food.
Tamura Ginkatsutei Honten
Itoh Dining by NOBU
CAFE
Naraya Cafe is a good place to spend your break time after exploring Hakone. Renovated from a Ryokan hotel, his cafe has a traditional atmosphere due to its ryokan roots. It's a great place work working, chill out, and see art works. There is a gallery exhibiting the work from various artists each month. While for coffee lovers, you can go to Utoka Coffee. The coffee here is not only just made, but it is crafted. You can decide what kind of coffee you want to taste because they have plenty unique coffee.
Naraya Cafe
Utoka Coffee
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
Gora Brewery & Grill is good option to hang out and spend your night time in Hakone. This restaurant & bar has large room and offers nature view. This is a unique place to try Hakone craft beer as well as the food. You may also go to Bar Hotel Hakone Kazan for a cozy place to enjoy cocktails.
Gora Brewery & Grill
Bar Hotel Hakone Kazan
INTERESTING PLACE
Since Hakone boasting wonderful nature scenery, there are lots of interesting places to visit. Ōwakudani is one of most famous viewpoints in Hakone. Located in the area around crater, you can observe the volcanic activity, experiencing the hot spring, and also cooked in the natural hot water. Also visit The Hakone Open-Air Museum to explore indoor and outdoor exhibitions. This museum has harmonic balance of nature and art, therefore you can get a combination view of the surrounding and mountains.
Ōwakudani
The Hakone Open-Air Museum
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
Hakone offers many great spots to get captured. Fuji Hakone Izu National Park is one of them. This national park includes a variety of of geographic features such as coastlines, mountain areas, lakes, natural hot springs. Also go to Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (Glass Forest) to capture Japan's first art museum specializing Venetian glass. You will find 15th to 19th century exhibits and modern pieces.
Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (Glass Forest)
Fuji Hakone Izu National Park
