Hakone Night Views 2025: Top Spots, Events, and Tips for an Unforgettable Evening
Hakone is known as one of Japan's premier hot spring areas and is a tourist destination with excellent access from the metropolitan area. In particular, the areas around Gora and Lake Ashi are popular as spectacular viewpoints overlooking Mount Fuji, along with the natural beauty of the four seasons.
In addition to hot springs, Hakone's beautiful natural scenery is one of its attractions. Mountains, lakes, and at night, a sky full of stars spread out to captivate visitors.
This time, I will introduce detailed information about Hakone Night Views 2025, including night view spots, events, and natural hiking courses where you can fully enjoy Hakone's evenings.
7 Recommended Night View Spots to Enjoy Hakone's Evening
Ashinoko Skyline
Source: Kanagawa Travel Info
Ashinoko Skyline is a toll road that runs through the mountainous area of Hakone, offering an excellent driving course with panoramic views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji. Local taxi drivers recommend it as "a road you should drive at least once when visiting Hakone."
At night, one of its charms is the prominence of the beautiful starry sky due to minimal city lights. Easily accessible by car or motorcycle, it features multiple observation areas along the way, allowing visitors to casually enjoy the Hakone Night Views 2025 experience.
The distinctive feature is the diverse scenery that unfolds depending on the location, from spectacular views overlooking the Lake Ashi area to magical vistas with Mount Fuji in the background.
Hakone Ashinoko Observatory Park
Source: Google Maps
Hakone Ashinoko Observatory Park is a prominent viewpoint along the Ashinoko Skyline. This captivating location offers panoramic views of Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji, and on clear days, you can see as far as the Izu Peninsula. What makes this spot particularly magical are the Hakone Night Views 2025, where the moonlight and stars reflect on the lake's surface, creating a dreamlike atmosphere due to minimal artificial lighting.
The park features benches and open spaces with few obstructions, making it ideal for setting up tripods and leisurely photographing the night scenery.
Access is primarily by car, with rental vehicles providing relatively smooth travel to the location. As mountain weather can change rapidly, please check weather forecasts and dress warmly.
This spot is highly recommended for those who wish to enjoy the romantic nightscape created by the contrast between the lake and sky.
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- Address: 1920-9 Kamiyama Marutake Ochiai, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0550-87-0226
- Official Website: https://siz-road.or.jp/road/hakone/
Mikuni Pass
Source: Yahoo! Travel
Mikuni Pass, located midway along the Ashinoko Skyline at the border between Kanagawa Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, is one of the viewpoints where Mount Fuji can be seen in its most majestic form. The area offers expansive panoramic views including the ridgeline of the Hakone Outer Rim Mountains and distant city lights.
While beautiful during the day, the Hakone Night Views 2025 offer visitors a chance to witness the mystical silhouette of Mount Fuji emerging against the night sky. Due to its high elevation, the pass is cool even in summer and extremely cold in winter, so please ensure you dress warmly.
On clear autumn and winter nights, the combination of the starry sky and Mount Fuji appears even more beautiful. This spot is especially recommended for those seeking simply magnificent scenery.
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- Address: 638 Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-83-6361 (On-site management office)
- Official Website: http://www.ashinoko-skyline.co.jp/ashinoko-20231117/2024/12/20/mikuni/
Otome Pass
Source: Google Maps
Otome Pass is a place where people have traditionally traveled between the Hakone and Fuji areas. Although located slightly off the Ashinoko Skyline, it has gained attention as a hidden gem for Hakone Night Views 2025.
Standing at the Otome Pass Observatory, you can enjoy Mount Fuji directly ahead while the lights of towns spread throughout the valleys of the Hakone Outer Rim Mountains unfold below. Turn around and you'll be treated to a magnificent panorama that extends all the way to Lake Ashi and Suruga Bay.
The unexpectedly majestic scenery from Otome Pass creates a romantic atmosphere, especially during the transition from dusk to night when the sky undergoes a beautiful transformation, making it one of the most captivating Hakone Night Views 2025 locations.
This is also the perfect spot for those who want to take dynamic photographs featuring Mount Fuji in the Hakone area.
- Address: Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 24 hours
Shakushi Pass
Source: Google Maps
Shakushi Pass is a viewpoint located near the end of the Ashinoko Skyline, characterized by its ability to simultaneously offer spectacular views of both Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi.
Located at a high elevation, on clear days you might even see Mount Fuji reflected in Lake Ashi below. This sight is extraordinarily beautiful and something I personally look forward to every year as part of the Hakone Night Views 2025 experience.
At night, moonlight falls on the lake's surface while the lights of towns scattered among the mountains appear like stars, creating a fantastical mood that exemplifies why the Hakone Night Views 2025 collection has become so renowned.
The observation space isn't particularly large, but this means fewer people, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy the night view in a quiet environment.
If you're looking for a spot that combines the three essential elements unique to Hakone—Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, and the night sky—be sure to visit Shakushi Pass.
- Address: Shakushi Pass, Chabatake, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Hours: 24 hours
Hakone Glass Forest Museum
Source: Official website
The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum is a theme park-style museum where beautiful glass works, primarily Venetian glass, are exhibited.
During the day, the romantic atmosphere of the garden and outdoor art pieces glistening in the sunlight is one of my favorites. Furthermore, during the nighttime illumination season, you can enjoy the fantastical effects created by the interplay of glass and lighting, which has become one of the most spectacular Hakone Night Views 2025 has to offer.
There are also cafes and shops on the premises. Glass accessories and interior goods make perfect souvenirs.
When thinking of night views, one often imagines scenery from observation decks, but the artistic landscapes created by the museum's "light displays" are equally captivating nighttime spectacles.
I recommend this to those who want to spend a relaxing time while enjoying the romantic atmosphere.
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- Address: 940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa - Prefecture
- Business Hours: 10:00-17:30
- Closed: None
- Phone Number: 0460-86-3111
- Official Website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp/
Gora Park
Source: PR TIMES
Hakone Gora Park is known as Japan's first French-style garden and is a tourist spot where flowers bloom throughout the four seasons.
My recommendation is the nighttime illumination held in spring and autumn. In spring, the collaboration between full-bloom cherry blossoms and the starry sky is spectacular, creating one of the most enchanting Hakone Night Views 2025 visitors can experience, with the illuminated pink petals contrasting beautifully against the night sky.
In autumn, the leaves turn red, and the red and orange gradations illuminated by the lights offer a dramatic expression different from daytime.
The evening hours are less crowded than during the day, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Japanese seasons in a relaxed atmosphere. It's also convenient that there are hot spring inns and hotels scattered around Hakone Gora Park, making it easy to visit during your stay.
This is an ideal spot for those who want to experience "Japanese-ness" and "natural beauty" simultaneously.
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- Address: 130 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00 (March-November) • 9:30-16:30 (December-February)
- Closed: January 1st, 3rd Monday of January, 1st Monday of September
- Phone Number: 0460-82-2825
- Official Website: https://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/gorapark/
Sengokuhara Plateau
Sengokuhara Plateau is located in the northwestern part of Hakone, famous for its expansive fields of pampas grass.
In autumn, the golden-colored pampas grass sways in the wind, and when illuminated by the sunset or moonlight, the scenery has a painting-like beauty.
My recommendation is taking an evening stroll at Sengokuhara Plateau. The walking paths are well-maintained, making it safe to explore even at night. Looking up at the sky, countless stars are clearly visible to the naked eye, creating what feels like a planetarium stretching across the night sky. This was the first time I had seen such a beautiful starry sky, and I became so absorbed that I lost track of time.
While there are fewer tourist facilities compared to other areas of Hakone, this means there are fewer artificial light sources, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. The Hakone Night Views 2025 will offer visitors an even more spectacular experience with special illumination events planned throughout the plateau.
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- Address: Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-85-7410
- Official Website: http://www.sengokuhara.net/
Four Events Where You Can Enjoy Spectacular Fireworks with Beautiful Night Views at Lake Ashi
Fireworks are launched at Lake Ashi during summer and winter. The usually quiet lakeside is filled with a festive atmosphere illuminated by fireworks during these periods, offering night views and a celebratory mood that's different from the typical Hakone experience.
Since each event differs in the number of fireworks, atmosphere, and timing, here I'll introduce four recommended fireworks festivals while comparing their characteristics.
Winter Fireworks
Hakone Shrine New Year's Celebration Fireworks
Source: Hakone Navi
Hakone Shrine New Year's Fireworks is, as the name suggests, a fireworks display held to celebrate the new year. About 1,000 fireworks are launched over approximately 15 minutes starting at midnight on January 1st.
The fireworks coloring the cold winter sky are incredibly magical. Viewed through the clear winter air, the vividness of the colors is exceptional.
The highlight of the Hakone Shrine New Year's Fireworks is that you can enjoy it alongside traditional Japanese New Year activities like hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year) at Hakone Shrine. For those planning to explore Hakone Night Views 2025, this is a must-see winter spectacle that combines traditional culture with breathtaking illumination.
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- Date: January 1st, midnight
- Access: About 1 hour by bus from Odawara Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen, taking the bus bound for "Hakone-machi Port/Moto-Hakone Port/Hakone - Checkpoint Ruins" and getting off at "Moto-Hakone" or "Hakone Shrine Entrance"
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/6084
Setsubun Festival Fireworks Celebration
Source: PR TIMES
The Setsubun Festival Fireworks held in February is a fireworks display that combines with "Setsubun," a traditional Japanese event.
Setsubun is a traditional Japanese ceremony held at the turning point from winter to spring, when people pray for good health and drive away evil spirits. On Setsubun day, there are customs such as throwing beans to drive away demons (evil spirits) and eating special thick sushi rolls in one bite.
Similarly, the fireworks launched over Lake Hakone are meant to drive away evil spirits and bring in good fortune for the new year. The thunderous sound and large blooms of fireworks echoing in the night sky are so powerful that even demons might be startled and run away.
Experience the Hakone Night Views 2025 while immersing yourself in traditional Japanese culture and welcome the beginning of a new year with these spectacular fireworks.
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- Date: February 2, 2026 (planned)
- Access: Approximately 1 hour by bus from Odawara Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen, take the bus bound for "Hakone-machi Port/Moto-Hakone Port/Hakone Checkpoint Ruins" and get off at "Moto-Hakone" or "Hakone Shrine Entrance"
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/6085
Summer Fireworks
Lake Festival
Source: Hakone Zenzan
The Kosui Festival is an annual event held as a traditional summer festival to give thanks for the blessings of Lake Ashi. The opening of Hakone Shrine's biggest festival of the year is adorned with about 5,000 aerial fireworks and underwater fireworks.
The dynamic scenery created by the light reflecting on the lake's surface is breathtaking. The variety of performances, including consecutive star mines and elaborate fireworks, are highlights of the event.
At this festival, in addition to fireworks, floating lanterns are released on the lake, and powerful Japanese taiko drum performances are presented.
This festival is looked forward to by locals every year, and many people participate wearing "Yukata," a traditional Japanese summer outfit.
At the Kosui Festival, you can experience the Hakone Night Views 2025 and spend a special evening experiencing the charm of Japanese summer with all five senses.
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- Date: July 31
- Access: About 32 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus (Line H) from Hakone-Yumoto Station, get off at "Moto-Hakone Port" bus stop
- Admission: None
- Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/8834 (Reference: 2024)
Reisai Celebration Fireworks Festival
Source: Hakone Garasunomori
The Reisai Celebration Fireworks Festival is a special fireworks display launched on the day of Hakone Shrine's grand festival. What makes this event truly unique is that it's not just a summer festival - after sacred Shinto ceremonies are performed to celebrate the enshrinement of Hakone Shrine (founded in 757), the spectacular Hakone Night Views 2025 fireworks illuminate the sky.
2,500 fireworks launched from Lake Ashi brilliantly light up both the night sky and the lake's surface, creating a scene that resembles an offering to the gods. Particularly enchanting are the underwater fireworks that bloom into semi-circular flowers on the lake's surface and the fireworks that spread behind the "Peace Torii" gate on the lake, evoking a sacred atmosphere.
By experiencing both the Shinto rituals and the fireworks, visitors can deeply connect with the history and traditions of Hakone Shrine while enjoying some of the most breathtaking Hakone Night Views 2025 has to offer.
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- Date: August 1st
- Access: Approximately 32 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus (H line) from Hakone– Yumoto Station, get off at "Moto-Hakone Port" bus stop
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/8834 (Reference: 2024)
