Hakone
Private Day Tour

Early April brings cherry blossoms to the shore of Ashinoko and the paths around Hakone Shrine. Fuji rises snow-capped above the blossoms across the lake — a composition that appears on calendars worldwide. Peak: first week of April.

The museum's grounds come alive in spring with seasonal planting around the sculptures. The Picasso Pavilion and the Symphonic Sculpture (a glass tower you can walk inside) are the highlights. Combined with warm spring air, this is Hakone at its most pleasant.

The formal gardens at Gora Park erupt in azalea colour from late April. The park occupies a tiered hillside with Fuji visible from the upper sections. A relaxed 30-minute stroll is the ideal complement to the morning at the Open Air Museum.

The forested path leading to Hakone Shrine is lined with towering cryptomeria cedars. In spring, cherry blossoms appear at the approach and the lakeside torii gate reflects in the still water of Ashinoko. A short walk, but among the most atmospheric in the region.

Summer humidity intensifies the steam plumes at Owakudani. The contrast of white volcanic smoke against the lush green mountain is dramatic. On clear summer mornings, Fuji is visible from the valley observation deck.

Ashinoko is crystal clear in summer, and the Fuji view from Moto-Hakone is at its most striking on calm mornings before lake breezes pick up. The historic sightseeing boats (optional, not required) connect the lake's main stops.

Hakone sits at 700m elevation — noticeably cooler than central Tokyo in summer. The Open Air Museum's outdoor sculpture garden is at its most walkable in the morning before midday heat. An ideal summer escape from the city.

Contrasting an outdoor summer day with a hot onsen soak may seem counterintuitive — until you try it. Hakone's ryokan onsen remain pleasantly warm indoors. A private onsen room can be arranged for your group on request.

From mid-October, the forested hills of Hakone turn red and orange. The combination of autumn colour, volcanic steam, and Fuji's snow cap above the lake is one of Japan's most layered autumn landscapes. Peak: late October to early November.

Ashinoko in autumn: the famous torii gate of Hakone Shrine with Fuji behind and maple trees turning along the shore. The light in October is exceptional for photography — softer and more golden than summer.

The Open Air Museum's garden takes on a different character in autumn. The tree-lined paths between sculptures turn amber and gold, and the cool air makes extended outdoor walking the most enjoyable of the year.

A 350-year-old rest stop on the old Tokaido highway. Autumn is the ideal season to sit with a bowl of warm amazake (sweet rice drink) and look out over the coloured hillside. The building itself is unchanged since the Edo period.

Winter brings the clearest views of Fuji from Ashinoko. The snow-covered peak reflected in the still lake water is a classic winter scene. Fewer tourists mean you can photograph the lakeside torii gate in near-solitude on weekday mornings.

The combination of crisp mountain air and the volcanic hot springs is at its best in winter. Many ryokan offer outdoor (rotenburo) baths where snow may dust the garden around you. A private onsen room arranged through your driver is the ultimate winter addition.

Hakone Shrine in winter is peaceful and atmospheric. The cedar trees hold snow and the torii gate stands against a grey-blue winter sky. The reflection in the lake is perfect on still mornings. Winter is the ideal season for unhurried photography here.

The Open Air Museum has extensive indoor galleries including the entire Picasso Pavilion — one of Asia's finest collections of the artist's ceramics and prints. On cold winter days, the indoor component of the museum becomes particularly rewarding.