How do you avoid crowds in Hakone?

Ride the loop early, before the day-trippers arrive from Tokyo around mid-morning, and save quieter spots like Onshi-Hakone Park, the old Tokaido highway, and the Sengokuhara grass plains for the afternoon. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the lake and shrine almost alone at dawn.

Is there good hiking in Hakone?

Yes. The old Tokaido highway between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-Yumoto is a scenic, mostly downhill forest walk past Edo-period stone pavement, and there are trails around Owakudani and the surrounding peaks for wider Fuji views. The Sengokuhara plains have an easy promenade through the grass.

TripBox

Hakone's Hidden Gems

Once you have ridden the classic loop, these quieter places show a calmer side of Hakone, the historic highway through the cedars, the golden autumn plains, the imperial gardens by the lake. Most see a fraction of the crowds of the ropeway and the famous torii. Save the ones that appeal and slot them into your trip.

Outdoor

Old Tokaido Road Hiking

Walk the Edo-period Tokaido highway through cedar forest between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-Yumoto, past original stone pavement and old travellers' checkpoints. Largely downhill and peaceful.

Moto-Hakone to Hakone-Yumoto2-3 hours

Nature

Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Plains

The rolling silver pampas-grass plains of Sengokuhara, glowing gold at golden hour from mid-September to mid-November, one of Japan's most famous and least crowded autumn landscapes.

Sengokuhara, Hakone

Park4.0

Onshi-Hakone-Koen Park

Former imperial villa grounds on a promontory in Lake Ashi, free, quiet, and offering some of the clearest combined views of Fuji and the lake.

Photography

Hakone Shrine Peace Gate

The cedar-shrouded main shrine gate (shinmon) above the lake, far less crowded than the lakeside torii, ethereal in morning light filtering through the trees.

Hakone Shrine main grounds

Nature

Gora Park Rose Garden

Over 200 varieties of roses terraced against the mountains, peaking in late May and again in October, with a free foot bath to follow, a romantic, often-overlooked stop.

Hakone Gora Park

FAQ

How do you avoid crowds in Hakone?: Ride the loop early, before the day-trippers arrive from Tokyo around mid-morning, and save quieter spots like Onshi-Hakone Park, the old Tokaido highway, and the Sengokuhara grass plains for the afternoon. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the lake and shrine almost alone at dawn.
Is there good hiking in Hakone?: Yes. The old Tokaido highway between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-Yumoto is a scenic, mostly downhill forest walk past Edo-period stone pavement, and there are trails around Owakudani and the surrounding peaks for wider Fuji views. The Sengokuhara plains have an easy promenade through the grass.

Make it your trip

Save these places and build your own Hakone itinerary in TripBox.

More Hakone guides

Things to Do 2 Day Itinerary Best Time to Visit