Hakone

Hakone sits inside Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, about 85km southwest of Tokyo. It's been a resort town since the Meiji era when wealthy Tokyoites and foreign residents from Yokohama built retreats here. The area spans 13 distinct hot spring types across multiple volcanic zones.

Owakudani's sulfurous vents are still geologically active, which occasionally shuts parts of the ropeway. The region has 13 distinct onsen water types, each with different mineral compositions and temperatures. Tipping is not done in Japan and offering money as a tip can cause genuine confusion or embarrassment.

Shoes come off at the entrance to every ryokan, many restaurants, and temples. At shrines, the ritual is: two bows, two claps, one bow. Hakone holds a unique place in Japanese pop culture — it's the setting for Neon Genesis Evangelion, and fans will recognize "Tokyo-3" references throughout the town.

Eating while walking is technically fine but frowned upon near shrine districts. Most restaurants in Hakone are dinner-and-done affairs, closing well before the evening gets going.

Onsen etiquette is non-negotiable: wash your entire body at the shower station before entering the shared bath. The bath is for soaking, not cleaning. Soap never goes into the water..

Enter the bath completely nude. Swimsuits are banned in traditional onsen — this is firm, not a suggestion.. Tattoos are still restricted at many public onsen.

Hakone is more tattoo-friendly than most regions, especially at properties with private baths, but always check in advance. Some places allow small tattoos covered with patches.. Keep your small towel out of the water.

Fold it on your head or leave it at the side — never submerge it.. Don't stay in the bath more than 15-30 minutes at a time. The water is hot (40-44°C), and the risk of dizziness is real.

Get out, cool down, come back.. Never drink heavily before or during an onsen session.. Shoes off before entering any ryokan, many restaurants, and all temples.

Indoor slippers are usually provided.. No tipping. Ever.

It causes confusion and can even be seen as rude.. Speak quietly in public spaces — trains, shrines, onsen lounges. This is a genuinely observed norm, not a suggestion..

At Shinto shrines: bow twice, clap twice, bow once. Even a rough attempt is appreciated.. Most restaurants close by 6pm in Hakone.

If your ryokan doesn't include dinner, plan your evening meal early or bring snacks.. Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August) see massive domestic travel surges. Prices spike and ryokan book up months in advance.

Avoid if you can, or book extremely early.

Japan holds a Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) travel advisory from the U.S. State Department as of 2026 — one of the lowest risk ratings on Earth.

Violent crime against tourists is essentially nonexistent. Petty theft in crowded transport hubs is the main thing to watch for. Here's what's actually specific to Hakone: Volcanic activity is a real factor.

Hakoneyama (Mt. Hakone) is monitored at volcanic alert Level 2 (out of 5), meaning hikers need to stay on designated trails and the ropeway or certain Owakudani areas can close without much notice. Always check the Hakone Navi status page (hakonenavi.

jp) before planning your day around the ropeway. The Owakudani restaurant at Owakudani Station is also closed for renovation from May 11 through late July 2026. The Hakone Tozan Bus Kyukaido Line (K Line) had partial service suspension in late April-early May 2026 — always check current status before travel.

Mountain weather changes fast. Hakone sits cooler than Tokyo, especially at elevation, and mornings can be significantly colder than afternoons even in summer. Dress in layers.

Download the Safety Tips app (Japan Tourism Agency) before arriving — it sends real-time earthquake and tsunami alerts in English. In an emergency: police is 110, ambulance/fire is 119. The JNTO visitor hotline (050-3816-2787) operates 24/7 in English for tourist emergencies.

The Hakone Freepass is the one ticket you need. Bought from Shinjuku Station, it costs 6,100 yen for 2 days or 6,500 yen for 3 days and covers unlimited rides on eight transportation modes: the Odakyu train from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, the Hakone Tozan Railway (the mountain switchback train up to Gora), the Hakone Tozan Cable Car (Gora up to Sounzan), the Hakone Ropeway (Sounzan across Owakudani to Togendai), the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (on Lake Ashi), Hakone Tozan Bus, Kanagawa Chuo Bus, and the Hakone Pirate Ship ferry. It also gets you discounts at most museums.

Budget separately for the Romance Car (the nicer reserved-seat express from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto) — that's an extra 2,470 yen one-way on top of the Freepass, but it's a lovely 90-minute ride. Alternatively, take the Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Odawara (25 minutes), then the local Hakone Tozan Railway 15 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto. The standard local train route from Shinjuku takes about 2 hours with one transfer at Odawara and costs ~2,500 yen.

The Hakone Ropeway runs regular maintenance shutdowns — the official Hakone Navi site (hakonenavi.jp) posts real-time service status in English. Bus routes can change seasonally.

For day trips from Tokyo, leave Shinjuku before 8am to beat the crowds at the main attractions. Most restaurants and many attractions close by 5-6pm, so plan your day accordingly.