Hakone Onsen is widely known as one of the best hot springs in Japan, and is a popular spot visited by many tourists from both Japan and abroad. Hakone is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, where you can enjoy a luxurious time soaking in the hot springs. In addition to the hot springs, there are also plenty of tourist attractions.

This time, we will explain in detail the charms of Hakone Onsen, including the quality of the water, tourist spots, and how to get there, so please use it as a reference!

Hakone Onsen and its charms

Where is Hakone Onsen?

Hakone Onsen is located in Kanagawa Prefecture and is easily accessible from Tokyo. Hakone is surrounded by a rich natural environment and has long been known as a hot spring resort. It has a long history as a hot spring resort, and has been popular as a hot spring resort since its existence was recorded about 1,300 years ago.

Why are Hakone Onsen so popular with tourists?

The appeal of Hakone Onsen is not only the healing that only a hot spring resort can provide, but also its location. Hakone's hot spring resorts allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons while soaking in the hot springs. Bathing in a hot spring amid the autumn leaves or snowy scenery is a luxurious experience that is unique to Hakone.

Another major attraction of Hakone is the variety of hot springs, allowing you to enjoy a variety of spring qualities.

Hakone Onsen: rich in spring quality

What are the spring qualities and effects of Hakone Onsen?

Hakone Onsen offers a variety of spring qualities, including sulfur springs, sodium springs, bicarbonate springs, etc. Each spring quality has its own medicinal properties, so you can choose a hot spring that suits your physical condition and purpose.

• Sulfur springs : Effective for skin diseases and neuralgia, and also have a relaxing effect.
• Sodium springs : These have a strong effect of warming the body, making them perfect for treating poor circulation and recovering from fatigue.
• Hydrogen carbonated spring : Has a skin-beautifying effect and is also expected to improve blood circulation.

These spring qualities provide you with the perfect options depending on your physical condition, so you can choose the spring quality that suits you best when you visit and feel even more relaxed.

You can choose the hot spring that suits your purpose!

Hakone hot springs are not just great for warming up, they are also perfect for those who care about beauty and health. For example, if you are visiting to treat rough skin or relieve stress, bicarbonate springs are suitable. Also, if you want to relieve poor circulation or fatigue, sodium springs are the way to go. Another appealing point about Hakone hot springs is that you can choose the hot spring that best suits you based on its effects.

Characteristics of 17 baths! How to choose a Hakone hot spring

Each of Hakone's 17 baths has its own unique characteristics

Hakone has 17 hot springs. Each has its own unique characteristics, so when you visit, you can choose a hot spring that suits your needs. For example, there are many secluded hot springs for those who want to relax in a quiet environment. Also, for those who want to enjoy an open-air bath, there are hot springs that have attractive open-air baths surrounded by nature.

Tips for choosing a hot spring

Hakone's 17 hot springs vary greatly in terms of their atmosphere, location, and facilities. The key to choosing a hot spring is, frankly, "what you are looking for." For example, if you want to enjoy a hot spring in a quiet place, it's best to choose a quiet hot spring area that avoids crowds. Also, if you value open-air baths and family-friendly facilities, choosing a place with well-equipped facilities will make your stay more comfortable.

Introducing the attractions of Hakone as a leisure destination

Famous tourist spots in Hakone

When you visit Hakone Onsen, there are many other tourist attractions besides the hot springs. Hakone Shrine is a tranquil place surrounded by nature and is a shrine of great historical importance. Around Lake Ashi, you can take a pleasure boat and enjoy the scenery of the lake. Also, at Owakudani, you can feel the geothermal activity and see the hot spring steam right in front of you, and you can have the unique experience of eating black eggs.

A one-day plan combining sightseeing and hot springs

In Hakone, it is possible to make a one-day plan that combines sightseeing and hot springs. For example, we recommend a plan to visit Hakone Shrine and Owakudani in the morning, and relax in a hot spring in the afternoon. After relaxing in the hot springs, you can visit tourist spots and fully enjoy the charm of Hakone.

<Schedule example>

9:00 Visit Hakone Shrine

10:30 Enjoy the volcanic scenery at Owakudani

12:00 Enjoy lunch with local cuisine

14:00 Relax in the hot springs

16:00 Take a sightseeing boat ride on Lake Ashi and visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum

18:00 Dinner

19:30 Head home from Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Access guide to Hakone Onsen for overseas tourists!

How to get to Hakone

Access to Hakone Onsen is very convenient even from overseas. You can get to Hakone from the nearest airport, Haneda Airport, by train or bus. It takes about 1.5 hours by train and about 2 hours by bus from Haneda Airport to Hakone Yumoto.

How to get from Haneda Airport to Hakone by train or bus

Travelling by train

・Take the Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa Station (approximately 15 minutes)

・Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shinagawa Station to Odawara Station (approximately 35 minutes)

・From Odawara Station, take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto Station (approximately 15 minutes)

・Total time required : Approximately 2 hours

・Total cost : Approximately 3,000 yen

Travelling by bus

・Take a direct bus from Haneda Airport to Hakone Yumoto

・Duration : Approximately 2 hours 37 minutes

・Cost : Approximately 1,800 yen

Useful transportation and ticket information

When heading to Hakone, checking the most convenient transportation and ticket information in advance will help you travel smoothly. By researching how to get to Hakone in advance and mastering the use of transportation, you can enjoy sightseeing and hot springs efficiently.

Recommended Tickets

・Hakone Free Pass : Unlimited rides on eight types of transportation, convenient for touring tourist spots
Adults : 5,000 yen and up
Children : from 1,000 yen

Hakone Free Pass "Hako Ticket" Plus : Museums and hot spring facilities added to the free pass
Adults : from 11,000 yen
Children : from 3,500 yen

・Pirate ship and ropeway unlimited pass : Enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi and an aerial stroll
Adults : from 4,000 yen
Children : from 980 yen

*As of December 2024

summary

Hakone Onsen is a hot spring resort filled with charm, offering healing and relaxation to all who visit. Hakone, where you can enjoy hot springs with different spring qualities, abundant nature, and numerous tourist attractions, is sure to continue to be loved by many people as one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts.