Explore Hakone's Sengokuhara: A Guide to the Pampas Grass Fields, Art Museums, and Natural Wonders
Hakone is one of Japan's most popular hot spring destinations, famous for its stunning views of Japan's symbol, Mt. Fuji. While blessed with magnificent nature, Hakone's excellent accessibility from Tokyo, Japan's capital, makes it one of the most visited destinations by both domestic and international tourists.
Additionally, Hakone spreads across the foot of the still-active volcanic Mt. Hakone, featuring unique natural landscapes including Lake Ashi (a caldera lake) and Owakudani, where you can witness the spectacular volcanic scenery with rising steam vents. Hakone's fame as a hot spring resort comes from the heat generated by the Hakone volcano, which creates numerous hot springs throughout the region.
Today, we'll introduce the must-visit area of Hakone sengokuhara and its attractions.
What is Sengokuhara?
Sengokuhara is an area that offers particularly rich natural scenery even within Hakone's abundant nature, featuring Kanagawa Prefecture's only marshland and vast plains covered with golden Japanese silver grass.
The area is also known as a highland resort destination. One of its attractions is the presence of multiple beautiful museums that blend nature and art, taking advantage of the vast landscape.
Sengokuhara is perfect for those seeking a peaceful, healing journey, as visitors can also enjoy the Sengokuhara hot spring, one of Hakone's onsen villages.
5 Must-Visit Spots in Sengokuhara
Here are detailed explanations of spots you should definitely enjoy when visiting Sengokuhara, including natural landscapes and museums.
Sengokuhara Silver Grass Fields
The Sengokuhara silver grass fields are the area's most popular attraction, famous for their vast expanse of countless Japanese silver grass plants.
The best viewing time is from September to November, when the golden-colored grass creates a spectacular scene as sunlight filters through, making the entire field appear to glow. Besides the beautiful color, another highlight is the breathtaking sight of the grass swaying like waves in the wind.
Additionally, on days with little wind in March, controlled burning of the mountain takes place to prevent the invasion of unwanted vegetation. Visitors can observe this burning, so if your timing allows, you can experience the special sight of massive flames covering the silver grass fields.
There are walking paths through the silver grass fields, so why not take a stroll surrounded by the tall grass?
- Address: Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-84-3500 (Hakone Sengokuhara Tourist Association)
- Official Website: http://www.sengokuhara.net/index.php
Owakudani
Owakudani is a scenic area formed by volcanic rocks and ash that accumulated after a volcanic eruption approximately 3,000 years ago. Located near Sengokuhara in Hakone, it has become a premier tourist destination, famous for its unique landscape where white steam rises from the exposed mountainside.
The area features a 700-meter walking trail (reservation required) where visitors can stroll while admiring the landscape created by volcanic activity. The adjacent Hakone GeoMuseum offers fascinating insights into the history of Owakudani and the Hakone volcano.
A local specialty is the "black egg" (kuro-tamago), which has a distinctive black shell. These eggs are cooked using the volcanic heat and gases of Hakone volcano, resulting in a more concentrated umami flavor compared to regular boiled eggs. While visiting Owakudani, be sure to enjoy both the unique scenery and this famous local delicacy.
- Address: 1251 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00-16:20
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-84-5201
- Official Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/6318
Hakone Glass Forest Museum
Source: Official website
The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, situated in the Sengokuhara area, consists of two main sections: the Venetian Glass Museum, showcasing glass art developed from ancient Roman times, and the Modern Glass Museum, featuring innovative works created since the 20th century.
The Venetian Glass Museum displays exquisite pieces including mosaic glass decorated with colorful glass resembling blooming flowers, and lace glass featuring delicate lace patterns created with thin white glass on transparent surfaces.
The museum grounds, nestled in the natural beauty of Sengokuhara, feature European-style buildings creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. Don't miss the "Corridor of Light," an arch made of sparkling crystal glass, where art and nature harmoniously blend.
- Address: 940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 10:00-17:30 (Last entry 17:00) *Hours may vary by season
- Closed: Winter closure from January 14-24, 2025 *Other irregular closures may occur
- Phone: 0460-86-3111
- Official Website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp/
Hakone Lake Ashi View Park
Source: Google Maps
Located on the border of Shizuoka Prefecture, Hakone Lake Ashi View Park is one of Hakone's finest viewpoints overlooking Lake Ashi. The park is situated along the 5-kilometer toll tourist road "Hakone Skyline."
From the park, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the cobalt-blue Lake Ashi and prominent peaks of the Hakone volcano, including Mt. Kamiyama and Mt. Komagatake, both over 1,000 meters tall. The observation deck features a guide map indicating various landmarks including Mt. Kamiyama, Mt. Komagatake, and Owakudani.
When facing away from the observation deck, visitors can also see Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest peak. At night, enjoy the beautiful evening scenery as Hakone's city lights twinkle amidst the majestic natural surroundings.
- Address: 1929-9 Kamiyama Marudake Ochiai, Gotemba-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Hours: *Free passage during nighttime (outside business hours)
- Dec 1-Mar 31: Weekdays 8:30-17:30, Weekends/Holidays 8:30-18:30
- Jul 21-Aug 31: Weekdays 8:30-19:00, Weekends/Holidays (including Aug 13,14,15) 7:00-19:00
- Other periods: Weekdays 8:30-17:30, Weekends/Holidays 7:00-18:30
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0550-87-0226
- Official Website: https://siz-road.or.jp/
Pola Museum of Art
Source: Official website
The Pola Museum of Art, nestled in the forests of Hakone, is a museum themed around "the harmony between Hakone's nature and art." The building itself is part of its charm, designed to blend into nature with features like limiting its above-ground height to 8 meters.
At the Pola Museum of Art, visitors can appreciate Western paintings, primarily from the Impressionist movement popular in Japan, including works by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as Japanese paintings by famous artists like Yasushi Sugiyama and Kaii Higashiyama.
The museum also features unique exhibitions including 790 pieces of glass art, Oriental ceramics from various Asian countries, and a collection of 6,700 cosmetic tools gathered from around the world.
Additionally, the museum features a walking path with numerous outdoor sculptures. We invite you to experience this perfect fusion of Hakone's natural beauty and artistic works.
- Address: 1285 Kozukayama, Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
- Closed: Open daily (May close temporarily)
- Phone: 0460-84-2111
- Official Website: https://www.polamuseum.or.jp/
3 Recommended Dining Spots in Sengokuhara
Sengokuhara offers several restaurants serving exquisite dishes using high-quality ingredients from the Hakone area. Please check out the following recommendations:
Sengokuhara Yuzen
Source: Hitosara
At Sengokuhara Yuzen, you can enjoy high-quality Japanese cuisine in a renovated traditional Japanese house.
For example, one recommended dish is sashimi made from fresh fish caught in nearby waters. The sashimi is as fresh as its glossy appearance suggests, with no fishy smell, making it approachable even for foreigners trying raw fish for the first time.
Another specialty is sukiyaki (a Japanese dish where thin slices of meat and vegetables are cooked in a sauce mixing soy sauce and sugar), featuring a perfect match between the umami from premium Japanese beef fat and vegetables.
Particularly during dinner time, the course menu allows you to enjoy representative Japanese dishes including sukiyaki, sashimi, tempura, and buckwheat noodles all at once. Local Japanese sake is also available, making this an ideal spot for those who want to slowly savor delicious Japanese food and drinks in a quiet atmosphere.
- Address: 919-4 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-14:00 (L.O.13:00) / 18:00-21:00 (L.O.19:00)
Sat-Sun 18:00-21:00 (L.O.19:00)
*Dinner is course menu only (reservation required)
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 0460-84-6777
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuzensengokuhara?igshid=MzNINGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D
Irori Chaya
Source: Tabelog
Irori Chaya is a Japanese restaurant housed in a historic thatched-roof building over 100 years old. True to its name, the restaurant features a traditional Japanese hearth (irori) and old wooden furniture, offering an experience of traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Irori Chaya is popular for its soba and udon noodles, which represent Japanese cuisine, and set meals consisting of rice, miso soup, and side dishes. For set meals, you can choose your preferred side dish from options like tempura, sashimi, or grilled fish.
My recommendation is the Jumbo Fried Shrimp Set Meal. The jumbo shrimp, fried whole with head and tail intact, has a crispy texture that seals in the shrimp's umami, making it so delicious you'll finish it quickly despite its large size.
Irori Chaya is recommended for those who want to casually enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine.
- Address: 919 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 11:30-14:30 / 17:00-20:00
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone: 0460-84-6818
- Official Website: https://www.irori-chaya.com/
Albergo Bamboo
Source: Tabelog
Albergo Bamboo is a restaurant where you can enjoy Italian cuisine made with local ingredients. The elegant European-style building, which also hosts weddings, stands as a landmark nestled in the forests of Hakone.
In this sophisticated setting, you can enjoy dishes abundantly featuring ingredients sourced from around Hakone, including Bolognese made with local Ashikaga beef, sautéed red sea bream caught in nearby Suruga Bay, and homemade roast chicken.
At Albergo Bamboo, another attractive feature is their carefully curated selection of Italian wines, with approximately 2,000 bottles in stock to complement their high-quality local cuisine. It's recommended for those who want to enjoy a sophisticated dining experience unique to Hakone in an elegant atmosphere.
- Address: 984-4 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 11:30-14:30 / 17:30-20:30
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Phone: 0460-84-3311
- Official Website: https://www.bamboo.co.jp/albergo/
Top 3 Recommended Hotels and Ryokans for Staying in Sengokuhara
Sengokuhara, an area in Hakone known for its magnificent natural surroundings, has many ryokans where you can enjoy hot springs while taking in the natural scenery. Here are some recommendations for those looking to stay in Sengokuhara.
KAI Sengokuhara
Source:Official website
KAI Sengokuhara is a hot spring ryokan that combines Sengokuhara's natural beauty with art. Art pieces, including paintings and glass works, are displayed in guest rooms, and each room's terrace features a private open-air bath offering picture-perfect views of the natural landscape, with artistic elements scattered throughout the property.
The hot springs at KAI Sengokuhara use water drawn from Owakudani. The milky white acidic hot spring water is known to be effective for neuralgia and muscle pain, warming your body even after a brief soak.
When staying at KAI Sengokuhara, one of the highlights is their unique cuisine using seasonal ingredients, such as stone-grilled dishes inspired by Hakone volcano's lava and smoked dishes resembling the white steam rising from Owakudani.
Why not experience this elegant time unique to Sengokuhara, where hot springs, nature, and art collaborate?
- Address: 817-359 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: Check-in 15:00 / Check-out 12:00
- Closed: Unknown
- Phone: 050-3134-8092
- Official Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/kaisengokuhara/
Centurion Hakone Bettei
Source: expedia
Centurion Hakone Bettei is a hot spring ryokan that offers a luxurious, relaxing time as if staying in a private residence, designed as a sophisticated hideaway for adults. Located in the scenic Hakone Sengokuhara area, the guest rooms feature a stylish modern Japanese design incorporating essential tatami (traditional straw flooring) and wood elements.
All 13 guest rooms come with private open-air baths, allowing guests to enjoy the hot springs at their leisure throughout their stay. A captivating feature is the view from these open-air baths, where you can admire seasonal changes in nature while bathing - from vibrant greens in spring and summer to stunning autumn leaves in fall.
At Centurion Hakone Bettei, guests can savor exquisite Japanese dining experiences, including shabu-shabu (a Japanese hot pot dish where thin slices of meat are cooked in boiling water) made with premium marbled wagyu beef, and Japanese course meals prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients.
We invite you to experience this luxurious time where rooms, hot springs, and cuisine are all of the highest quality.
・Address: 1285-389 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
・Hours: Check-in 15:00 (last check-in 19:00) / Check-out 11:00
・Closed: Never
・Phone: 0460-84-5122
・Official Website: https://www.centurion-hotel.com/hakone/#hakone
Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara
Source: Official website
Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara is a hot spring hotel distinguished by its dignified black-themed exterior that harmoniously blends with the vivid natural scenery of Sengokuhara. The interior, decorated with Japanese paintings throughout, gives the impression of an art museum, adding to its charm.
The hotel features rooms that exude the warmth of Japanese cypress, with large windows offering views of Sengokuhara's beautiful nature changing with the seasons. Some rooms come with private open-air baths and spacious layouts, making them perfect for families seeking a relaxing stay.
The hotel offers creative Japanese cuisine utilizing seasonal ingredients such as seafood and vegetables. If you're looking to create luxurious memories in Hakone Sengokuhara with family, partners, or friends, this is definitely worth a visit.
・Address: 817-444 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
・Hours: Check-in 15:00 / Check-out 11:00
・Closed: Unknown
・Phone: 0120-100-442
・Official Website: https://www.morinokaze-hakone-sengokuhara.com/