Hakone is the perfect getaway from the noise and bustle of urban life in Tokyo. It is an onsen (hot spring) resort, just on the West edge of Yokohama and about an hour and a half train ride from Tokyo. There is a direct access train from Shinjuku Station to Yumoto-Hakone Station using the Odakyu line. On top of that, it also only cost about 2,400 yen (round trip).
The downtown area around the Hakone-Yumoto station is crowded with traditional, small souvenir shops that sell local sweets, snacks, and street food. There is even a small hot spring just for your feet in front of a shop.
Hakone, although is a hot spring resort, is a place of many attractions and tourists sites to visit and there are several different ways to enjoy the stay.
1. Relax
Ryokan at Hakone usually have everything you need for a trip. A nice tatami room, restaurant, bar, massage room, karaoke room, ping pong table, and of course, a hot spring. If you plan on being be lazy, sitting back and relaxing, you can check-in to a ryokan and never get out until you leave Hakone because everything is right at your feet.
Image source: Trip Advisor
2. Explore the Unique Hot Springs
If hot springs at your hotel are not enough for you, you could visit Yunessun. Yunessun has a lot of unique onsens: wine, cofffee, tea, sake based onsens and many more. Also, the types of onsen they have change with seasons! Website: http://www.yunessun.com/
3. Go Wild
Just relaxing at an onsen is not enough for you? Hakone has an amusement park in the nature with trecking routes, zip slides and tarzan swings. There are courses based on difficulty level, so everyone from small kids to adults can challenge themselves. Website: http://foret-aventure.jp/eng/
Hope you enjoy your next onsen trip!