Hakone Biking Adventures: Top Trails, Guided Tours, and Essential Tips for Cyclists
Hakone Onsen, located in western Kanagawa Prefecture, is renowned as one of Japan's premier hot spring destinations. Beyond its relaxing hot springs, Hakone's proximity to Mt. Fuji makes it an ideal location for visitors to Japan who wish to photograph the majestic Mt. Fuji and immerse themselves in nature.
Known as a treasure trove of natural beauty, Hakone Onsen is famous not only for its hot springs but also as a destination offering various activities. The area is particularly well-equipped for cycling, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely bike ride while taking in the stunning natural scenery.
In this article, we'll introduce places where you can enjoy biking while experiencing Hakone's natural beauty.
When in Hakone, Embrace Nature-Based Activities!
Hakone, recognized as one of Japan's leading hot spring destinations, is also famous as a mecca for nature-based activities. There are numerous activities that tourists can easily enjoy while leisurely experiencing the natural environment.
Among these activities, biking is particularly popular. Hakone features many well-maintained cycling roads where visitors can enjoy biking while taking in the magnificent natural surroundings. Additionally, Hakone has numerous bicycle rental shops, making it easy for anyone to enjoy cycling.
The cycling routes vary from gentle, flat paths suitable for beginners to challenging slopes that require experience and stamina. Why not
5 Recommended Spots for Hakone Biking
From here, we'll introduce 5 recommended spots where you can enjoy biking in Hakone. All these locations offer spectacular natural views, so if you're planning to visit Hakone, please use this as a reference.
Lake Ashi (Ashinoko)
Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), known as a caldera lake formed by volcanic eruptions, is one of Hakone's premier biking destinations. A well-maintained cycling road runs along the lake from Togendai in the eastern part of Lake Ashi to Hakone-machi, where the historic Hakone Checkpoint is located, making it perfect for a casual biking adventure.
The cycling path offers stunning views of Lake Ashi while riding, and its flat terrain makes it accessible even for those who aren't confident in their physical fitness. Since Hakone is located near Mount Fuji, you can witness the magnificent snow-capped Mt. Fuji on clear winter days.
Along the route, you'll find stylish cafes, restaurants, and the Hakone Shrine, known as a powerful spiritual spot. For bike rentals, you can visit the rental cycle shop located within the Hakone-en resort facility, with rates starting from 500 yen per hour.
Access: Approximately 1 hour by car from Hakone-Yumoto Station
Sengokuhara
Sengokuhara, renowned as Hakone's premier highland resort area, is a popular destination known for its rich natural environment and numerous art museums.
One of its most famous attractions is the approximately 18-hectare pampas grass field. Every autumn, the sloping fields of silver pampas grass create a stunning white luminescent landscape, which has become one of Hakone's most iconic views.
Surrounded by lush nature, Sengokuhara is also highly popular among cycling enthusiasts. The most popular route is the mountain biking course that winds through Hakone's forests and along Lake Ashi's shoreline. With courses suitable for different fitness levels, even beginners can enjoy biking here with confidence.
You can fully immerse yourself in the wonderful natural surroundings, including forest paths rich in negative ions, magnificent pampas grass fields, and the spectacular lakeside scenery of Lake Ashi. Staff members provide preliminary instruction on mountain bike handling, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Access: About 30 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station, get off at "Sengoku Information Center" bus stop
Gora Area
Source: PR TIMES
The Gora district, the terminal station of the Hakone Mountain Railway, is an ideal area for biking. While the Gora district is surrounded by nature and features varied terrain, there are plenty of attractions to visit during your cycling journey, including the beautiful fountains, rose garden, and the Hakone Museum of Art within the Hakone Gora Park.
However, since there are no bicycle rental shops around Gora, it's recommended to visit shops in Sengokuhara to rent your bike.
There are two cycling routes between Gora and Sengokuhara. One course goes through the Miyagino district along National Route 185. The other course follows the Sengokuhara-Gora Station Line mountain road, passing right in front of the Pola Museum of Art, known for its underground galleries.
These routes have steep slopes and challenging terrain, so it's advisable to rent an electric-assist bicycle. Please ride carefully and be mindful of cars, as the cycling paths are narrow.
Access: Get off at Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway
Mt. Taikanzan
Source: Hakone Navi
Mt. Taikanzan, standing at 1,015 meters above sea level, is located along the Hakone Turnpike connecting Odawara and Hakone. The spectacular views of Lake Ashinoko and Mt. Fuji from the Taikanzan Sky Lounge at the summit are breathtaking. On clear days, you can see as far as the Southern Alps and the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture.
The uphill road to Mt. Taikanzan is popular among road cyclists and is known as a hill climbing mecca for Hakone biking enthusiasts.
The Tsubaki Line, which runs between Mt. Taikanzan and Yugawara Onsen (a famous hot spring resort representing Kanagawa Prefecture), is particularly renowned as a cycling spot. With an average gradient of 5.7% and a distance of 13.3km, it's quite a challenging course. However, on sunny days, it's worth the effort as you can enjoy beautiful nature views through the forest gaps.
The Yugawara Town Tourist Association, located at the foot of Mt. Taikanzan, offers bicycle rentals for up to one night. If you're confident in your physical fitness, why not take on this challenging route?
Access (Yugawara Town Tourist Association): Take the Hakone Tozan Bus bound for Oku-Yugawara from JR Yugawara Station for about 10 minutes, get off at "Ochiai-bashi" bus stop.
Around Odawara Castle
Located in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, known as the gateway to Hakone tourism, there are numerous excellent cycling spots. At the Citizen Exchange Center, just a 10-minute walk from JR Odawara Station, you can rent bicycles to explore the tourist attractions around Odawara Station.
Rental bikes cost 500 yen per use, while electric-assist bicycles are available for 1,000 yen per use. In front of the Tourist Exchange Center stands Odawara Castle, a famous landmark of Odawara. The Odawara Castle Park surrounding the castle is highly recommended as a biking destination.
About 3 minutes by bicycle from Odawara Castle, you'll find Miyukinohama Beach, where you can enjoy biking while taking in the beautiful views of Sagami Bay. The Odawara city area is flat and easy to navigate, making it perfect for casual bikers looking for a leisurely ride.
Access: 10-minute walk from JR Odawara Station
3 Recommended Rental Cycle Spots Around Hakone-Yumoto Station
Rental Cycle FIVE DOOR'S
FIVE DOOR'S is a bicycle rental shop located near Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway. The building also serves as a guesthouse, offering affordable accommodation for tourists. On the first floor, there's a café where you can enjoy authentic coffee and meals.
FIVE DOOR'S offers both regular bicycles and electric-assist bikes. The electric-assist bicycles have high battery capacity, making it easy to climb Hakone's steep hills even for biking beginners.
Bicycle rentals can be reserved in advance, and in such cases, free pickup service is available from nearby Hakone-Yumoto Station or Iriuda Station. If you're planning to enjoy a relaxing bike ride in Hakone, don't hesitate to inquire.
Address: 118-1 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:00-18:00
Closed: Every Tuesday
Phone: 0460-85-3371
Official Website: https://fivedoors1.ran-maru.net/
Hakone-en Rental Cycling
Source: Kanagawa Travel Info
Hakone-en Rental Cycling is a bike rental spot located in Hakone-en, a leisure facility at the foot of Mount Komagatake. The reception desk is on the second floor of the Hakone Shopping Plaza, where the Komagatake Ropeway station is located. No reservation is required to rent a bicycle.
The rental fee is very reasonable at 500 yen per hour, and electric-assist bicycles are available, making it easy to climb steep slopes. The recommended cycling road is along Shrine Street by Lake Ashinoko, which directly connects to Hakone Shrine in about 10 minutes, making it perfect for those who want to combine biking with shrine visits.
While no reservation is required for bike rentals, please note that there are only 10 bicycles available at the rental shop. When all bikes are rented out, the service becomes unavailable.
Address: 139 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 0460-83-1151
Hotel Ra Kuun
Source: Official website
Hotel Ra Kuun is a scenic resort hotel located at an elevation of 800 meters in the Motohakone district. Known for its rooms overlooking Lake Ashinoko and the mountains, along with comfortable open-air baths, it's highly popular among international tourists visiting Japan.
The hotel is just a 10-minute drive from Hakone-en, where you can access their bike rental service for an easy cycling experience. Bicycles are available from 500 yen per hour, and you can enjoy biking around Lake Ashinoko's shoreline, Hakone Shrine, and the Hakone Checkpoint area.
The eastern shore of Lake Ashinoko near Hakone-en features well-maintained cycling courses that are perfect for beginners. Why not experience Hakone's beautiful nature through an exciting biking adventure?
Address: 103 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: About 30 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station, 8-minute walk from "Futago-chaya" bus stop
Closed: Never
Phone: 0460-83-6244
Official Website: https://rakuun.com/en/
If You Want to Enjoy Nature, Try the Easy Hiking Around Hakone
When you want to immerse yourself in Hakone's magnificent nature, hiking is highly recommended. The hiking courses introduced here are suitable for beginners, so please use this as a reference when visiting Hakone.
Hakone Old Highway: Yumoto to Hakone Course (9.0-9.5km)
Source:Hakone Zenzan
The Hakone Old Highway is a forest hiking trail made of stone pavements that served as a crossing point for many travelers during the Edo period along the old Tokaido route. Known as a road maintained by the Edo shogunate about 400 years ago, it still retains the same atmosphere as the Edo period. While hiking in Hakone, you might even spot some cyclists enjoying the scenic routes nearby.
This course was considered the most challenging section of the Tokaido route connecting Tokyo to Kyoto, and it attracts many tourists and hikers who want to experience the historical atmosphere. Near Lake Ashinoko, there's a cedar tree avenue planted in the early Edo period, with trees approximately 400 years old. Currently, about 400 cedar trees remain.
The course runs approximately 11.6km from Hakone-Yumoto Station to the Hakone Checkpoint in Motohakone, taking about 4 hours and 25 minutes to walk. Along the way, there's a rest stop called Amazake-chaya where you can enjoy delicious drinks while taking in the natural surroundings.
The stone pavement can be quite slippery, and the path becomes quite muddy on rainy days. To prevent falls, wear comfortable, well-worn shoes when hiking.
Access: About 30 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus from JR Odawara Station, get off at "Sammaibashi" bus stop
Kowakidani to Mount Sengen Course (2.3km)
Source:Komoro City
The hiking course from Kowakidani to Mount Sengen, spanning about 2.3km, is known as a beginner-friendly course due to its short distance and quick round-trip time. Many visitors combine hiking with biking in Hakone, making it a perfect outdoor adventure destination. The starting point is near Kowakidani Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, making it easily accessible.
Halfway between Kowakidani and Mount Sengen, you'll find the "Chisuji Fall" on the upper stream of the Jakotsugawa River. Though small at 3cm high and 12cm wide, its continuously flowing beautiful water creates a perfect spot for rest and rejuvenation.
Mount Sengen was formerly called Shimotakanosuyama, but its name changed after the Sengen Shrine was built on the mountainside during the Edo period. At the 802m summit, there's an observation point called Fujimidai, where you can view beautiful Mt. Fuji on clear days.
Hiking courses on Mount Sengen are also maintained in Miyanoshita and Ohiradai. It's recommended to create your own route, such as climbing up from Kowakidani and descending via a different course.
Access: 3 minutes walk from Kowakidani Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway
Forest Adventure Hakone: The Perfect Outdoor Activity to Enjoy with Children
Source: Official website
If you're visiting Hakone and looking for an exciting outdoor activity to enjoy with your children, Forest Adventure Hakone is highly recommended. This adventure park is especially popular among tourists who enjoy biking to the location through Hakone's scenic routes.
This nature-integrated outdoor park allows both adults and children to play seriously amidst the great outdoors. The park features aerial athletics courses built among the trees, offering an extraordinary experience away from everyday life. The facility utilizes the natural terrain to create various athletic courses that everyone can enjoy regardless of age.
To ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment, the park has dedicated staff members who will teach you how to properly wear the harness and explain how to use the equipment. There are six different courses available, ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced levels. Many visitors combine their Forest Adventure experience with Hakone biking, making it a full day of outdoor activities.
It's recommended to make a reservation in advance for a smoother experience. Since activities may be cancelled due to weather conditions, please check the official website if the weather seems unfavorable on your planned visit day.
Address: 749-1 Yunomoto Chanoha, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Operating Hours: 8:30 - 15:30
Closed: Never
Phone: 080-4219-2206
Official Website: https://foret-aventure.jp/
