In a perfect world, we would have as much vacation time as we want to explore all the nooks and crannies of every county.
Realistically, most of us only have a week to fit in all of our explorations- if you’re lucky, two. With a country like Japan that holds so many hidden treasures, you’ll have to pick and choose what makes the cut on your itinerary.
The big three of Japan, known as the golden route, are Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. But if you have time, you should DEFINITELY get off the beaten path and into the mountains, because they hold some of the best of Japan's beauty.
Whether you’re on the journey to/from Tokyo, or are just looking for a day trip from Tokyo, spending time in the mountains of Japan will provide a nice breather from the craziness of the big cities.
One of the most popular excursions from Tokyo is a town called Hakone. Hakone is full trails to hike, hot springs to bathe in, and some pretty interesting foods to try.
Hakone is most well known by the Japanese for it’s hot springs, or onsen. The mountains around Mt. Fuji are full of natural onsens, and Hakone is a go-to spot to relax in one of these traditional hot baths. You can go to a public onsen for a fee and experience a true part of Japanese culture. There’s nothing like getting in a steamy hot bath with a bunch of naked people!
Be sure to follow all of the onsen rules to avoid being that dumb foreigner. I suggest doing a Google search ahead of time, but the big thing to remember is to make sure to shower before getting in the bath, and no clothes are allowed! You might be able to find a mixed onsen where you can wear bathing suits and bathe with the opposite sex, but unless if specifically states that, assume that you’re going to be in your birthday suit! It is certainly a story for your travels you won’t want to miss.
If you have the money, you can spend a night in a traditional Japanese inn with a private onsen in your room. It is my goal to stay in one of these rooms by the time I leave Japan- I just need to rack up a couple thousand spare yen first!
Besides onsens, Hakone is home to Lake Ashi. On a clear day you can see the snowy tip of Mt. Fuji over the mountains surrounding Lake Ashi. Take a boat ride around the lake to enjoy the mountain views. The boat stops at three locations, and you can get a nice picture with an orange Tori gate over the water, grab a bus back to the train station, or hop on a ropeway from these stops. The boats are usually themed on these mountain lakes, and Hakone has pirate themed boats. You can buy food and drink on board, and souvenirs as well.
But the transportation fun doesn’t stop at a boat ride (I totally don't care how nerdy that sentence just made me sound).
Hakone has an awesome ropeway that goes over an active volcano! Cruising over the steaming vents from the volcano is an experience not to be missed, and at the top, you can eat black hard-boiled eggs that were cooked in the volcano! They are said to add extra years to your life. Give the egg ice cream a try too- you won’t be disappointed.
If you want to check out both sides of the mountain, you can take another ropeway to a cable car, and then a train down the mountain- with switchbacks included! You can literally take five different types of transportation in one day to explore Hakone- from train to cable car, to ropeway, to boat, to bus! I don't know about you but that's a pretty cool adventure if you ask me.
Check in with the info desks around the train station to get a discount pass on the journey around Hakone- all those types of transportation would add up separately, but the 4,000 yen pass was a great discount!
Getting to Hakone is fairly easy from Tokyo. Just take the bullet train to Odawara and hop on a quick train ride to Hakone Yumoto Station via a local line. You can also get there by a tour bus from Tokyo- look for tours going to Lake Ashi.
When I travel, it is always my goal to explore the nature a country has to offer, and Hakone will give you a quick sneak peek into just the beginning of what Japan has to offer. I've lived here for almost a year and a half and have yet to see a fraction of Japan's hidden treasures!
So if you could spare just a day, or even better two, I beg you to get out of the cities and into the nature.
Try to save a day for Hakone because YES, it is worth it!
If you have any questions about Hakone, or want suggestions for more day trips out of Tokyo, send me a message!
Don't forget to follow me @travel.a.map on instagram for updates on when I post.
-Jessie
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