by Jen Ruhl
If you're looking for a day or two of relaxation away from your apartment and work, Hakone may be a good choice! Hakone is tucked into a corner of Kanagawa Prefecture and is perfect for a weekend with friends or a romantic get-away with someone special!
Hakone is most famous for its hot springs, and any trip there without some time spent soaking would be wasted! The hot springs are said to have special therapeutic powers, and they can help you with anything from high blood pressure to digestive problems. (See Hakone Town's homepage for a list of hot springs and their associated uses.) If you're staying in Hakone overnight, many hotels have private onsen/rotemburo facilities. Still uncomfortable with the whole group naked thing? Check to see if your hotel has a "family bath" - a small private tub for 2 or 3 people. Sometimes this costs extra.
Besides hot springs, there is plenty to do in Hakone. The area is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and its natural beauty can be enjoyed in all seasons. Hikers will find plenty of trails, one of which circumnavigates Lake Ashino. Along the way, you can stop at various shops, shrines, and other interest points. If you'd like a spectacular view of Fuji-san, take the cable car or ropeway from Togendai (one of the ferry boat stops along the Lake). This view is best in winter. While you're up there, you can walk around the Owakudani Valley where the sulfer from the volcano steams up the mountainside!
Hakone also has plenty of museums and craft shops. Some botanical gardens are listed on the Hakone web sites. Hakone's most famous craft is the yosegi-zaiku, which is a kind of wood mosaic. You can buy some of this at every shop in Hakone, and some places have demonstrations, too.
For the history geeks like me, the Hakone Check Point and museum might be interesting. I for one was disappointed and thought it was cheesy, but some people really liked it and went twice (hint: I'm married to him).
Finally, some more info on getting there and getting around:
1. You can reach Hakone by bus from Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto Stations.
2. Get a pass! Two companies offer passes that include unlimited bus, ferry, and cable car/ropeway use. They also offer discounts at various shops, restaurants, and inns. I preferred the passes offered by Odakyu because its buses came more regularly. A company called Izu Hakone also has a pass, and you can find information about it at the bottom of this page. You can buy either of these passes at the tourist office at Odawara Station, or by following the directions on the sites
3. Use your base school's travel agent! You know, the guy who keeps putting his business cards on your desk! My first trip to Hakone was arranged this way, and because I worked for my school, I could get discounts at a bunch of inns listed in a glossy brochure brought in for me. We chose the Matsuzakaya Honten, which was absolutely gorgeous!
4. You can also make hotel reservations on your own through the Japanese Guesthouses site. It's an English service, and when I used this I chose Yugiriso, which had an excellent location, great service, and delicious food!
5. One last site to help you plan your visit is the famouse Kanagawa NOW site.
Enjoy!