What to See in Hakone in One Day: Art, Onsen & Mount Fuji, Hakone, Japan

Set within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Hakone unfolds as a landscape of volcanic valleys, steaming hot springs, tranquil lakes, forested trails, and world-class art - all remarkably close to Tokyo. This itinerary highlights the essential sights while revealing why Hakone deserves more than a rushed day trip.

I chose to spend the night in Hakone, arriving from Kamakura as part of my 17-day trip across Japan - a decision that allowed the destination to reveal its slower, more restorative side.

Hakone makes a perfect escape from Tokyo - whether as a full-day trip or a relaxed overnight getaway. It’s about 90-100 km from Tokyo, roughly 1.5-2 hours by train or car, depending on your route - most visitors take the popular Romancecar limited express from Shinjuku (which goes direct) or the Shinkansen to Odawara, then local transport into Hakone.

Overnight stay tip: Book a lakeside hotel with an onsen (hot spring) to unwind after your day of exploring - I share more on that below.

I believe the Hakone Open-Air Museum is one of Hakone’s cultural highlights and is worth visiting, as it combines modern art with the region’s mountainous landscape. Set across landscaped gardens and gentle hills, the museum presents large-scale outdoor sculptures that can be explored at a relaxed pace, allowing art and nature to coexist seamlessly. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).