Discover Hakone's Mt. Komagatake: A Guide to Scenic Views, Ropeway Access, and the Historic Summit Shrine
Hakone is one of Japan's premier tourist destinations. It's particularly famous for its hot springs and art spots, attracting many tourists from both Japan and abroad.
Hakone is also a mountain surrounded by nature located near Mt. Fuji. Additionally, Hakone was formed by volcanic eruptions creating a caldera, which can be experienced from "Lake Ashinoko" and "Owakudani."
Today, I'll introduce "Hakone Komagatake mountain," located at the foot of Lake Ashinoko, which offers magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and Hakone's spectacular scenery.
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The true pleasure of Hakone tourism isn't just hot springs, but also the magnificent nature and spectacular views of Mt. Fuji!
While Hakone is famous for hot springs, museums, and cuisine, its magnificent natural environment is also one of Hakone's representative attractions. Since you've come to Hakone, let's enjoy the great outdoors together.
Among these natural attractions, "Hakone Komagatake mountain," standing at 1356 meters above sea level, is a popular spot where you can view Mt. Fuji and Hakone's natural beauty all at once. Mountain worship has been practiced here since ancient times, and Komagatake mountain, which reminds visitors that Hakone is part of the natural world, is a recommended spot for those who want to fully experience Japanese nature.
Why is Komagatake mountain loved by both locals and tourists? A thorough explanation of its 5 attractions!
Hakone Komagatake mountain is beloved by locals and tourists alike. Here I'll introduce five attractions of Hakone Komagatake mountain.
Spectacular view of Mt. Fuji from the summit
Source: Official website
When it comes to areas in Hakone where you can view Mt. Fuji, the Lake Ashinoko area at 723 meters above sea level is well-known. Around Ashinoko, you can observe the upper part of Mt. Fuji, but if you want to see Mt. Fuji in its entirety, you should definitely visit Hakone Komagatake mountain.
From Komagatake mountain, standing at 1356 meters above sea level on the east side of Lake Ashinoko, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Mt. Fuji in Hakone. The collaboration of Lake Ashinoko, Hakone's symbol, with Mt. Fuji offers breathtaking beauty.
Magnificent nature near the summit
The Komagatake mountain summit is the second highest point in Hakone. Therefore, from the summit, you can view not only the magnificent nature of the Hakone area but also Sagami Bay stretching across Kanagawa prefecture. Being surrounded by 360° of natural beauty will become a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
From April 2025, a new observation deck called "Kono sora" (This Sky) has appeared. There are many highlights, including "Fuji no gaku" (Fuji's frame), a spot where you can beautifully capture Mt. Fuji in photos, and "Umi no niwa" (Sea garden), where you can view the coast. From the Protruding deck, you can enjoy an even more immersive spectacular view.
Historic Spot in Hakone: "Hakone Motomiya Shrine"
Source: Official website
At the summit of Hakone Komagatake mountain, there is a shrine called "Hakone Motomiya Shrine." It was established in 1964 as the inner shrine of "Hakone Shrine" located at the foot of Lake Ashinoko. However, mountain faith practices worshipping the mountain as a deity have been conducted at the summit of Komagatake mountain since ancient times.
The history of mountain faith at Hakone Komagatake mountain is long, reportedly dating back more than 2,400 years. Even today, around Hakone Motomiya Shrine, you can observe remnants of this faith, such as "Bakoseki," where deities are said to have descended riding white horses.
Monthly Ceremonies Held at Hakone Motomiya Shrine on the 1st and 24th
At Hakone Motomiya Shrine, a ceremony called "Tsukinami no Matsuri" is held on the 24th of each month. This ceremony expresses gratitude to the deities and makes wishes, and anyone can participate.
To participate in the ceremony, you need to make an offering of 3,000 yen and take the first ropeway departing at 9:00 AM.
The deities at Hakone Motomiya Shrine are known for bringing good fortune and strengthening marriage ties. Since opportunities to witness Japanese religious ceremonies are rare, we encourage you to participate if you have the chance.
Easily Accessible via Ropeway
Source: Official website
The 1,356-meter-high Hakone Komagatake mountain is easily accessible by ropeway from Lake Ashinoko, which sits at an elevation of 723 meters. The ropeway connects the foot of the mountain to the summit, covering a total distance of 1,783 meters in just 7 minutes, and offers plenty of scenic views during the ride.
The panoramic views of the greenery spreading below Hakone Komagatake mountain, the towns around Ashinoko, and Hakone's vast natural landscape are stunningly beautiful. Enjoying the scenery as if you're flying through the sky is a unique charm of the ropeway experience. Mt. Fuji, which gradually reveals itself as you gain altitude, is also a must-see.
A Sky Full of Stars Spreading Before You at Night
Source: Official website
The summit of Hakone Komagatake mountain is dark at night, allowing visitors to observe a sky full of stars that cannot be seen in urban areas.
While the Hakone Komagatake mountain ropeway normally operates only during the day, it periodically extends its operation until 7:00 PM for "Astronomical Observation & Night Tours." Recently, it operated during nighttime from October 12, 2024, to January 12, 2025.
By participating in the Astronomical Observation & Night Tour, you can use telescopes to observe moon craters, Venus, and Mars. These tours are also scheduled to be held in summer, making them ideal for those looking to spend a romantic evening.
The Views from Komagatake Mountain and the Ropeway Change Dramatically with the Seasons!
Another attraction of the "Hakone Komagatake ropeway" is the ability to enjoy nature through all four seasons. Hakone Komagatake mountain shows different faces depending on the season, offering spectacular views that can only be encountered during specific times of the year.
Here, we will introduce the attractions of Hakone Komagatake mountain that can be enjoyed in each season. Check in advance to make your trip even more enjoyable!
Sea of Clouds (January)
Source: Official website
Although sea of clouds formations are said to be rare in winter, you can still witness this phenomenon at Hakone Komagatake Mountain even during the colder months. Sea of clouds primarily forms due to radiative cooling. Since the water temperature of Lake Ashinoko is higher than the surrounding air, cold air flows over the lake, creating fog even in winter.
While the shoreline around Lake Ashinoko becomes enveloped in such thick fog that visibility is severely limited, at Komagatake Mountain, which stands more than 500 meters above Lake Ashinoko, visitors can enjoy mystical views of the sea of clouds spreading below.
The sea of clouds can only be observed when specific climate conditions align. When dense fog surrounds Lake Ashinoko, there's a high probability of seeing the sea of clouds, so be sure to take the Hakone Komagatake ropeway to admire this magnificent sight.
Japanese Spiraea (July)
Source: Official website
One of Hakone Komagatake Mountain's attractions is the abundance of wild plants that can be observed there. Early to mid-summer is the peak season when the greatest variety of wild plants flourish.
From June to July, you can see Japanese spiraea, locally known as "Shimotsuke," which grows naturally in abundance on Hakone Komagatake Mountain. This charming flower is characterized by clusters of small pink blooms.
While exploring the summit area, you might also encounter other rare flora that only grow in the Hakone region, such as Hakone rose, Aconite, and Bellflower.
Mt. Fuji and Beautiful Sunset (October)
Source: Official website
The Hakone Komagatake Mountain ropeway extends its operating hours during certain periods. In October, sunset occurs around 5 pm. We recommend staying until sunset to enjoy the breathtaking views from Komagatake Mountain. You can witness the beautiful sunset sinking behind Mt. Fuji and the sea of clouds. The sunset viewed amidst such natural splendor creates an unforgettable impression.
Additionally, about 15 minutes after the sun sets, you can observe a phenomenon called "twilight time," when the sky turns a deep royal blue. Enjoy the charm of Hakone Komagatake Mountain as it offers spectacularly different views during daylight and evening hours.
Autumn Foliage (November)
Source: Official website
November is the most popular season for the Hakone Komagatake Mountain ropeway. The latter half of November marks the autumn foliage season, when the surrounding mountains are dyed in beautiful red hues. The autumn landscape created by trees turning red and yellow is breathtakingly beautiful.
This grand scale of autumn colors is characteristic of Japan, where many deciduous trees that shed their leaves in winter grow naturally. The combination of Mt. Fuji and the autumn foliage creates a spectacular view—a season I personally highly recommend.
Clear Views of Mt. Fuji (December)
Source: Official website
For those who wish to see "beautiful Mt. Fuji from Hakone Komagatake Mountain," the winter months from December to March are recommended. During winter, there is less water vapor in the air, making the atmosphere clearer and allowing for more vivid and beautiful views of Mt. Fuji. This season also offers spectacular scenery of snow-covered mountains surrounding snow-capped Mt. Fuji.
Conversely, Japanese summers have high humidity and abundant water vapor, which sometimes prevents viewing Mt. Fuji even on clear days. From June to August, there are many days when Mt. Fuji is not visible, so visitors primarily interested in seeing Mt. Fuji should take note.
Please enjoy your journey on the Hakone Komagatake Mountain ropeway, which offers different attractions each season. As Komagatake has many mountain paths, we recommend wearing sneakers and long pants when visiting.
Access to Komagatake (Ropeway)
- Access:
From JR Tokyo station: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen outbound line to "Odawara" station. At Odawara station, take the Odakyu Railway bound for Hakone-Yumoto to "Hakone Yumoto" station. From Hakone Yumoto station, take the Izu Hakone bus "J" line to "Hakone en" stop. The ropeway is located right at Hakone en.
From JR Shinjuku station: Take the Odakyu Railway bound for Hakone-Yumoto to "Hakone Yumoto" station. From Hakone Yumoto station, take the Izu Hakone bus "J" line to "Hakone en" stop. The ropeway is located right at Hakone en.
- Address: Kanagawa Prefecture, Ashigara Shimo Gun, Hakone Cho, Motohakone 139
Operating hours: 9:00-16:30
Fee: 1,800 yen
- Closed: None (open daily)
- Phone number: 0460-83-1151
- Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/amuse/hakone-en/ropeway/
