Unique Hakone Nature Walk Experiences

Taking advantage of the vast spread of land where the great nature of Hakone remains, a garden was created by Danish flower artist Nikolai Bergmann. The untouched land covered with virgin forests has been leveled, and walking paths have been laid out, allowing for pleasant strolls in nature.

Within the garden, aside from the café "NOMU hakone," there are four pavilions. Each pavilion offers something unique, whether it's exhibitions to explore, elevated spots providing panoramic views of the garden, enjoying takeaway drinks from the café, or participating in seasonal flower arrangement workshops. Additionally, there are areas within the garden offering sweeping views of Hakone's abundant nature, with walking paths connecting them, lined with dry plant chips to ensure a soft and fragrant walking experience. Flower art installations, flower planters, and potted plants, all inspired by Hakone's nature, are scattered throughout, creating a beautiful fusion of nature and floral art for visitors to enjoy.

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From the Hakone Ropeway, you can witness the impressive sight of billowing white smoke rising from Owakudani. While climbing up, the green-covered mountainside suddenly reveals brown trees and ochre-colored earth, with white smoke rising from natural vents. From an altitude of 1000 meters, you can take in the breathtaking scenery of what was once called "Hell Valley." Presently, approximately 700 meters of natural research trail and seven emergency shelters have been established in the areas where the sulfur smoke rises, allowing for safe walking. Don’t miss the chance to take a closer look at the scene you saw from the Hakone Ropeway and observe it firsthand.

Lake Ashi, the symbol of Hakone, is a caldera lake located at an altitude of approximately 724 meters with a circumference of about 19 kilometers. Its serene blue waters nestled among the mountains are inherently beautiful, but the scene created by the combination of Mount Fuji, the calm lake, and the pirate ships is truly a fairytale-like world. The western shore of Lake Ashi is blessed with abundant nature, making it one of the most richly endowed walking routes in Hakone. Although the terrain is relatively flat and easy to walk, there are also trails passing through forest roads and along cliffs, adding an element of trail walking and hiking. The Hakone Visitor Center is located on the northern shore of Lake Ashi near the Togendai Station, and serves as the starting point of various transportation options such as the Hakone Ropeway and Hakone Sightseeing Cruise with pirate ships are available.

You can enjoy not only the breathtaking views of the serene lakeside and mountains but also the scenery across the lake, including the "Hakone-jinja Shrine" and "Mt. Komagatake." There are also rare sandy beaches on the lake, making it a popular spot for relaxation and photography, with attractions such as water gates adding to its charm. Walking approximately 12 km in about 3 hours will lead you to the goal of "Hakone-machi." This area stands out with its dramatic combination of Lake Ashi against the backdrop of Mt. Fuji and the passing cruise ships. Along the lakeside, popular tourist attractions such as the Onshi-Hakone-Koen Park and the Old Tokaido Road Hakone Checkpoint (Hakone Sekisho) are also available.

Introduction PDF by Ministry of the Environment (Japanese):

Introduction PDF by Kanagawa Prefecture (Japanese):

Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is a botanical garden where you can see plants that live in wetlands such as lakes and marshlands. Inside the garden, there are more than 200 wetland plant species as well as a collection of about 1100 species of grassland, forest, and alpine plants brought from various areas in Japan. Plus, approximately 1700 species of plants, including rare foreign wildflowers, are also planted here, meaning you can enjoy different flowers that bloom in each season. The garden path takes you through the foliage of each area in order, from lowlands to high mountains, and from early wetlands to developed wetlands.

Inside the garden, some galleries introduce the plant species of Sengokuhara wetlands with photos and panels as well as shops that offer original postcards and photo collections.

Also, if you walk down "Shitsugen Street" near the garden, you will come across the "Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields" that turn golden and silver in fall. In addition, there is the “Sengokuhara Nature Exploration Trail'', which is about 6 km long and leads to the nearby Hakone Visitor Center, extending further to Togendai on the shore of Lake Ashi.

“Sengokuhara Nature Exploration Trail” (Japanese)

The iconic peak of Hakone stands at around 1356 meters above sea level. Ascending Mt. Komagatake is a breeze with the Komagatake Ropeway, a quick 7-minute journey from the shores of Lake Ashi. Once atop, you'll find a treeless expanse offering stunning panoramic vistas, including the shimmering Lake Ashi below. Notably, the Mt. Fuji Observation Square affords breathtaking views of the majestic Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, and the distant Izu Peninsula. Furthermore, from the Sagami Bay Observation Plaza, you can take in the entirety of the Shonan area, stretching from Odawara to Sagami Bay. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the distant TOKYO SKYTREE®

The summit of Mt. Komagatake is said to be one of the best power spots in the Kanto region, as it was once a place where mountain worship rituals were held. It also hosts the Hakone Shrine and Motomiya Shrine. Due to its height, the mountaintop has a reputation as a “shrine in the sky'', offering a majestic atmosphere. Due to the sight of Mt. Fuji visible in the background of the red-colored shrine being considered auspicious, it is also a popular photo spot. Plus, you can also enjoy the beautiful foliage of each season at Mt. Komagatake.