Hakone's Top Parks: Must-Visit Spots, Scenic Trails, and Visitor Tips
Hakone is a renowned tourist destination in Japan, famous for its hot springs. With scattered viewpoints of Japan's highest peak, Mt. Fuji, and numerous tourist attractions, it's a highly popular area.
Hakone is also known for its rich natural environment. The region's natural spots include lakes, mountains, and parks, offering distinct seasonal views - cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn foliage, making it particularly attractive.
Today, we'll introduce parks and green spaces where you can fully enjoy Hakone's nature.
While Hakone is Famous for Hot Springs and Art, Many Tourists Visit to Enjoy Nature
Hakone is renowned as one of Japan's premier hot spring destinations. Many visitors, both domestic and international, come here for its numerous hot spring facilities, including both overnight accommodations and day-use options.
Hakone also boasts excellent art facilities, with various museums featuring everything from paintings to three-dimensional art.
However, many tourists visit Hakone to enjoy nature. With magnificent natural attractions like Lake Ashinoko and Owakudani Valley, offering different scenery each season, Hakone remains a popular year-round destination.
6 Recommended Hakone Parks for a Relaxing Nature Experience
Here are recommended parks surrounded by nature, perfect for relaxing between sightseeing activities.
Onshi Hakone Park
Source:Kanagawa Now
Onshi Hakone Park offers panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and the mountains surrounding Lake Ashinoko.
Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashinoko are visible from anywhere in the park. My favorite spots are the spacious Central Square and the Benten no Hana Observatory to the north, offering photogenic views.
The park features different seasonal landscapes: cherry blossoms and daffodils in spring, hydrangeas in summer, and vibrant red foliage in autumn. The contrast between orange autumn leaves and blue Lake Ashinoko is particularly spectacular.
Recommended for those seeking a peaceful park to view Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashinoko.
Address: 171 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 24 hours
Closed: Never (Lakeside Observatory closed only December 26 - January 3)
Phone: 0460-83-7484
Official Website: 0460-83-7484
Gora Park
Source:PR TIMES
A historic landmark among Hakone parks, Gora Park is Japan's first French formal garden, established over 100 years ago. Its distinctive French-style landscaping features symmetrical flower beds and ponds, offering year-round floral displays.
Peak seasons are spring and autumn. Spring brings cherry blossoms and azaleas painting the garden pink, followed by roses blooming in the Rose Garden from late May. Autumn showcases a different collection of approximately 140 varieties and 1,000 autumn rose bushes.
The park occasionally offers special nighttime openings, allowing visitors to enjoy flowers under starlit skies.
Address: 1300 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Closed: Never
Phone: 0460-82-2825
Official website: https://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/gorapark/
Horaien Garden
Source:Hakone Navi
Horaien is a spacious 5,000-tsubo garden renowned for its azaleas among Hakone parks.
From early to late May, over 30,000 azalea and satsuki bushes reach full bloom. The garden features a charming balance of pink, red, and white azaleas.
Morning visits are recommended during peak season to avoid crowds. Visitors can freely explore and photograph the grounds.
The garden is equally stunning in autumn when surrounding trees display orange and red foliage, creating a breathtaking canopy.
Address: 503 Kowakudani, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Hours: 24 hours
Closed: Never
Phone: 0465-43-8541
Official website: https://www.hakonekowakien-mikawaya.jp/concept.html#concept01-target
Yamano Hotel Garden
Source: Official website
This garden, part of the Yamano Hotel, offers panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi. The garden is open to non-hotel guests.
Spring highlights include 84 varieties of azaleas totaling 3,000 bushes in May. June features 25 hydrangea varieties, while roses bloom in June and October with 30 varieties. Over 100 flower species bloom throughout the year.
The well-maintained grounds include slopes for easy access. Recommended for those seeking variety in flora or wanting to photograph flowers with Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi as backdrop.
Address: 80 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Hours: 9:00-16:30 (Last entry)
Closed: Never
Phone: 0460-83-6321
Official website: http://www.hakone-hoteldeyama.jp/
Hakone Yasuragi no Mori and Mori no Fureaikan
Source: Official website
Hakone Yasuragi no Mori and Mori no Fureaikan is one of the notable Hakone parks spanning 44.4 hectares along the southern shore of Lake Ashi. The park offers viewpoints of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi, along with open spaces where visitors can enjoy forest bathing while listening to birdsong. My favorite way to spend time here is to get takeout food from nearby shops and have a picnic in the plaza surrounded by sky and greenery.
The park also offers family-friendly activities such as crafting with nuts and seeds, and quiz rallies throughout the grounds. The Mori no Fureaikan facility has temporary closures during winter months (December to February), so please check in advance. This park is highly recommended for those who want to enjoy forest bathing or nature-related activities.
Address: 381-4 Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: March 1 to November 30: 9:00-17:00, December 1 to February 28: 9:00-16:30 *Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Open daily *Temporary closures during winter
Phone: 0460-83-6006
Official website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/morifure/
Bentenyama Seiryu Park
Source: Hakone Navi
Bentenyama Seiryu Park, located along the Sukumo River, is another of the charming Hakone parks where visitors can enjoy natural trout fishing in a 400-meter dammed section of the river. The park offers both traditional fishing equipment and hand-catching experiences. Fishing gear rental and bait sales are available, so no special equipment is needed. Even as a first-time fisher, I found it relatively easy to catch trout, making it suitable for beginners and children.
Caught fish can be cooked and enjoyed at the park's barbecue area. The freshly caught fish is particularly satisfying. This park is highly recommended for anyone interested in trying fishing.
Address: 471 Hatajuku, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Closed: March-November: Thursdays (except during Golden Week and summer vacation), December-February: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Opens around January 5th for New Year
Phone: 0460-85-6373
Official website: http://hatajyuku.xsrv.jp/masu/
Two Family-Friendly Spots to Enjoy Nature
These two spots are perfect for families, offering natural experiences that both children and adults can enjoy.
Forest Adventure Hakone
Source: Official website
Forest Adventure Hakone is an outdoor park where visitors can take an aerial walk through forest trees while wearing a safety harness. The park offers two courses that can be chosen based on height, age, and preference:
The Canopy Course is recommended for those wanting a quick, light experience, while the Adventure Course is perfect for those seeking more challenging activities. Both courses are designed for safe enjoyment by children and adults alike. The zip ride offering aerial views of Hakone's forest is highly recommended.
Participants should bring sneakers. This activity is ideal for those wanting an active experience in nature.
Address: 749-1 Yunomoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Hours: Reception time [Adventure Course] 8:30-15:00 [Canopy Course] 8:30-15:30 *Varies by season
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 080-4219-2206
Official website: https://foret-aventure.jp/park/fa-hakone/
Hakone Ropeway
Source: Hakone Navi
The Hakone Ropeway connects Sounzan to Togendai, spanning approximately 4km.
It's famous for offering simultaneous views of Hakone's iconic spots: Owakudani, Mt. Fuji, and Lake Ashi. The aerial view of Owakudani provides a clear observation of the mountain surface and rising steam.
The ropeway allows stops at intermediate stations, each featuring souvenir shops and restaurants. Consider taking a leisurely journey with stops along the way if time permits.
Note that operation may be suspended due to weather conditions, so check the status beforehand. Recommended for families and those wanting to enjoy scenic views at a relaxed pace.
Address: [Sounzan Station] 1300-328 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
[Togendai Station] 164 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Hours: [Feb-Nov] 9:00-16:45 (Owakudani Station only 9:00-17:00) [Dec-Jan] 9:00-16:15 (all stations)
Closed: Never (May close during severe weather; maintenance closure from January to early March)
Phone: [Weekdays] 0465-32-2205 (9:00-17:00) [Weekends/Holidays] 0460-84-8438 (9:00-17:00)
Official website: https://www.hakonenavi.jp/hakone-ropeway/
For those wanting to fully experience Hakone's nature, hiking in the surrounding mountains is recommended
For those seeking active engagement with Hakone's natural environment, hiking is available on these three mountains:
Mt. Mikuni (Beginner-friendly)
Mt. Kintoki (Intermediate level)
Mt. Kami (Advanced level)
Mt. Mikuni (For Beginners)
Mt. Mikuni is located on the western side of Lake Ashi, near the hakone parks area. This expansive mountain spans three prefectures - Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Kanagawa, and is renowned for its stunning views of Mt. Fuji.
The hiking trail connects Mt. Taikan (1,383m) to Mt. Mikuni and Mt. Myojingatake, covering approximately 10km. The course features gentle, easily walkable paths, making it ideal for hiking beginners. From spring to autumn, hikers can enjoy observing flowers and wild birds along the way.
The summit offers spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanaka. It's perfect for those who want to enjoy scenery while hiking casually.
Address: Hirano, Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture (Mt. Mikuni Hiking Course Entrance)
Mt. Kintoki (For Intermediate Hikers)
Source: Wikipedia
Mt. Kintoki (1,212m) is a popular hiking destination within the hakone parks region. It offers multiple hiking courses suitable for beginners to intermediate hikers, allowing visitors to choose based on their skill level and available time.
All routes are well-maintained, with the most accessible Kintoki-tozanguchi Course taking about 3 hours round trip. The summit provides panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and the Hakone townscape.
The summit features restaurants serving curry and soup dishes. I personally enjoy dining here while taking in the views. If you have extra time during your hike, consider stopping by for a break.
Recommended for those seeking well-maintained trails and mountain cuisine experiences.
Address: Sengokuhara, Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture (Kintoki-tozanguchi)
Mt. Kami (For Advanced Hikers)
Source: Wikipedia
Mt. Kami, standing at 1,438m, is known as the highest peak in the hakone parks area. With major volcanic activity dating back 400,000 years, it has historically been regarded as a mountain where gods reside.
A hiking course starting from Sounzan Station takes approximately 105 minutes. The summit rewards hikers with close-up views of Mt. Fuji and the steam rising from Owakudani Valley.
However, the first hour involves a continuous uphill climb through dense forest with limited visibility, challenging even for experienced hikers. Therefore, this trail is recommended for advanced hikers or those with high fitness levels.
Recommended for hiking enthusiasts seeking unique perspectives of natural scenery.
Address: 1300-328 Gora, Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture (Sounzan Station)
