Tours & Things to Do in Hakone, Japan

Hakone is the onsen-and-Fuji-views day-trip from Tokyo — 90 minutes by Romancecar from Shinjuku, or two hours with the Hakone Free Pass. The Hakone Loop (pirate ship across Ashi, ropeway over Owakudani's sulphur vents, open-air museum) is the tourist spine, but guided tours add value for the outdoor art museum, the Hakone Shrine torii-in-the-lake shot, and ryokan bookings that navigate tattoo policies and room-only dinners. Clear winter days offer the best Fuji views; summer brings green forest but often cloud cover.