
Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a popular sightseeing area where visitors can enjoy natural beauty, colorful flowers blooming throughout the year and scenic views including Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and Owakudani. Hakone is also famous for its hot springs. Even more unusual is the fact that there are 17 different hot springs here in a relatively small area. For a long time, Hakonefs hot springs have been a favorite spot for relaxing, and there are numerous day spas in addition to hotels and inns offering overnight accommodation for the enjoyment of visitors.
Hakone in known in history as a checkpoint on the old Tokaido Road, which linked the eastern and western parts of Japan. There are many buildings of historic interest to visit here, as well as sites connected to traditional culture.
Hakone is also a showcase for art. Art-related attractions include Japanfs first open-air museum, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, as well as the Venetian Glass Museum, the Museum of Saint-Exupéry and the Little Prince in Hakone, the Pola Museum of Art, the Lalique Museum, Hakone, the Narukawa Art Museum and others boasting first-rate collections.
Nature lovers will enjoy the numerous parks and botanical gardens of Hakone, including Hakone Gora Park and Onshi-Hakone Park, which feature displays of seasonal flowers. Itfs a great sightseeing spot, with attractions to enjoy throughout the year.
Hakone is easy to reach from Tokyo, and a well-developed transportation network in the Hakone area ensures pleasant, comfortable travel. In particular, the Hakone Tozan Train and the Hakone Tozan Bus make frequent runs and are a convenient way for visitors to get around to the various attractions in the area. Magnificent panoramas can be enjoyed from the Hakone Tozan Train as it winds up steep grades, the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, the Hakone Ropeway running suspended from heights ranging from 700 to 1,000 meters above ground and the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, which offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi. Part of the enjoyment of sightseeing in Hakone is trying out the various modes of transportation available.
***