Just over an hour from Tokyo, Hakone packs an extraordinary variety of experiences into a single mountain caldera. You can cruise a volcanic crater lake, ride a ropeway over steaming sulphur vents, photograph a torii gate rising from the water, and end the day soaking in a hot spring. This hub brings together our individual guides to the region’s highlights so you can plan a seamless itinerary.

Nature and Volcanic Landscapes

Hakone sits inside the caldera of an ancient volcano, and that geology defines the scenery. Lake Ashi fills the crater floor while Owakudani’s steaming vents reveal the still-active forces beneath. Together they offer some of the most dramatic landscapes within easy reach of the capital.

Culture and Hot Springs

Beyond the scenery, Hakone is steeped in history and ritual. The lakeside Hakone Shrine has welcomed travellers for over a thousand years, while the region’s onsen towns continue a centuries-old tradition of hot-spring bathing in traditional ryokan inns.

Planning Your Visit

The Hakone Free Pass covers the area’s train, ropeway, cable car, bus, and lake-cruise network, making the famous Hakone loop easy to navigate. A single packed day is possible, but an overnight stay lets you slow down and enjoy the hot springs properly.

Hakone is one of Japan’s most rewarding short escapes from Tokyo, blending volcanic scenery, a serene crater lake, ancient shrines, and world-class hot springs into one compact mountain region. Below you will find our complete set of Hakone travel guides to help you plan the perfect trip.

Our Hakone Travel Guides

• Lake Ashi: Hakone’s Iconic Crater Lake
• Owakudani: Hakone’s Volcanic Valley
• Hakone Shrine and the Torii of Peace
• Hakone Hot Springs: A Guide to Onsen Culture

For our complete collection including hotels, see The Complete Hakone Guide.