Hakone is a popular destination among visitors because of its abundance in greenery and nature, becoming an escape from the buzzing metropolis.

It is easy to access and is very famous for onsens (hot springs), fresh air, imposing mountains, and panoramic views.

Below, I will outline five of the most stunning areas that I had the chance to visit a couple of months ago, and hopefully, it will also be useful to you when planning your itinerary.

Hakone Shrine

Hakone Jinja (Shrine) has over a millennium of history and is one of the most visited places in Japan.

I always go there and pray for good luck and every time I go, I never miss taking a picture with the majestic Torii Gates built on the top of the lake.

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Lake Ashi and the iconic Mt. Fuji

If Mount Fuji isn’t shy and hiding, you will be able to see an idyllic scenery of the lake, the iconic volcano, and also spot the Red Torii Gates in the background.

The mountains are also there to make sure the panorama view is complete and to leave us even more speechless in front of the serenity that surrounds the place.

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Owakudani

Owakudani is a famous volcanic valley with breathtaking scenery and the moment you get there, you will notice a mass of smoke coming out from the surface of the volcano and get to enjoy the power of nature and the volcanic activity right in front of your eyes.

I recommend trying the local specialty kurotamago (black eggs) that were boiled in the hot springs and characterized by their beautiful shell dyed in black.

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Hakone Open-Air Museum

My last recommendation for you is the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Besides the great walks in the area, the best views and peaceful atmosphere, Hakone also quite a few interesting museums you can discover.

One of the most stunning and interesting ones is the Hakone Open-Air Museum, a place where you can start a new adventure, learn many things regarding culture and history while interacting with the exhibits, and overall have a great time.

I love this museum because is so big, I can even soak my feet in hot water in one of the footbaths nearby and I can enjoy two of my most favorite things: art and nature.

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