24 Hours in Hakone: Five Top Things to Do When You You Can Only Have a Daytrip

24 Hours
in Hakone
When your heart feels extra pressured and
excited, your body seems to be slowly sautéed in a way that any cold weather
wouldn’t be able to contain. This was me for 24 hours. The exact second when I
felt like I wanted to remove my winter jacket out of agonizing anticipation of
whether or not I was about to see Mt. Fuji on a different vantage
point, was during the time I visited Hakone. Knowing that you are
chasing the golden hour, while waiting running on a four-hour sleep schedule,
is an ordeal that you may not want to go through. I was there. I was that. Hakone can leave that exciting impression, even if
everything is slow and simmered down.

Being part of the world-famous Fuji-Hakone-Izu
National Park, Hakone (ç®±æ ¹) is less than an hour
away from Tokyo.
It’s the perfect place for a quick away-from-Tokyo getaway, especially if you
are looking for that hot springs vibes, natural beauty landscapes, and of
course, the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mt.
Fuji. You can easily spend a day or two here, but more
importantly, you have to visit these outstanding places first among the rest of
the fan favorite others.










Laki
Ashinoko
Often
depicted with its characteristic bright red torii gate and Mount Fuji standing
imposingly in the background, Lake Ashinoko, in the heart of hot spring haven
Hakone, is nothing short of iconic. Although easily accessible from
Hakone-Yumoto station by a short bus ride, Lake Ashinoko is nestled between
many quaint onsen towns that reside on its expansive shores. Read more: https://travel.gaijinpot.com/lake-ashinoko/





Hakone
Botanical Garden of Wetlands
Hakone Botanical Garden
centers on the plant life thriving in the rivers and marshes originating from
the wetlands. One particular feature is the walking path where you can look
around the primeval wetlands from the lowlands to the mountains, and the
wetlands that formed thereafter in order. It’s so easy to navigate that even a
wheelchair can traverse the path. It takes 40 minutes to make one circuit
through the re-created marshland and wetland zones. Through the meticulous
construction, you can take your time looking at the plants one by one. Read
more: https://planetyze.com/en/japan/hakone/hakone-botanical-garden-of-wetlands








Hakone
Open Air Museum
One of the first pieces you'll see when you
descend is Hercules, the Archer by Emile-Antoine Bourdelle. Emile-Antoine
Bourdelle worked as an assistant in Rodin's studio. While so much of their
styles are similar, the differences are also stark. Rodin followed a strict
analytical modelling technique whereas Bourdelle wanted to modernise sculpture
from it's original Greek and Roman influences. The energy in this piece is so
dynamic. The archer's arm is taut, and his muscle flexed as he pulls at an
invisible bowstring. Read more: https://thecreativeadventurer.com/blog/guide-to-the-hakone-open-air-museum






Moto
Hakone & Hakone-Machi
The kitsch sightseeing boats that ply the
cobalt blue waters of Ashino-ko deposit you at either Hakone-machi (ç®±æ ¹ç”º) or the adjacent Moto-Hakone (å…ƒç®±æ ¹), two small lakeside communities both well
touristed and with sights of historical interest. Read more: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/hakone-machi-moto-hakone









Hakone
Sightseeing Cruise
The
Hakone Pirate Ship began operations in 1920 and is a sightseeing ship that
cruises Lake Ashi. In order to attract
tourists, in 1964 the ship donned the pirate ship decoration and became a famous
attraction at Lake Ashi. All of the ships are very large, can be boarded easily
and does not sway very much, which makes them comfortable for visitors. The surrounding area can be viewed 360
degrees from the observation deck , and great views can also be seen through
the large windows inside. The cockpit of the ship can be viewed through a glass
window. Visitors can stand behind the
cockpit and get a feel for what the captain’s view would be. The Hakone Pirate Ship is a great experience
for families with children and is a must see for visits to Lake Ashi. Read more: https://www.japanhoppers.com/en/kanto/hakone/kanko/718/




















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