HAKONE HOTELS
& TRAVEL GUIDE
Guide
to Hakone
Japan including Hakone hotels (save up to 70% on Hakone Hotels), getting to
Hakone attractions
including
Mount Fuji
views.
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 Hakone
(箱根町; -machi) is a Japanese town
located in the Ashigarashimo District, in the western more mountainous
part of the Kanagawa Prefecture next to Mt.
Fuji and not far from Tokyo. The Hakone
checkpoint on the historical Tokaido road marks the beginning of the
Kanto region, and the annual Hakone Ekiden at
the New Year runs from Tokyo to Hakone and back
over two days, partly in commemoration of the Tokaido road. Like its
close neighbour Odawara, Hakone has many
onsen (hot spring) resort
areas.
(Picture: View of Mount Fuji from Hakone by
jpatokal)
Hakone is very touristy and many people, both Japanese and foreigners
come to Hakone to relax, for treatment at the health resorts, or to
enjoy the parks and mountains. The volcanically active Fuji-Hakone-Izu
National Park, centered around Ashi, is a popular tourist attraction
well known for its onsen hot springs and its views of
Mt. Fuji. Sights include the Great
Boiling Valley (大涌谷 Ōwakudani), with its volcanic activities, and
Hakone Shrine nestled on the shore of the lake. In April the sakura
(cherry blossoms) and the Japanese pampas grass (susuki) are
reportedly a very beautiful view in the parks.
Torii at Hakone Shinto Shrine by
Fg2
There are a range of organised tours from Tokyo to
Hakone and Mount Fuji. This is the easiest and most time efficient
way to combine these two attractions.
More information and online bookings for Hakone tours here.
Hakone is best accessed from Odawara, the terminus of the Odakyu
Odawara Line, 70 minutes from Shinjuku,
Tokyo. From Odawara, the Hakone-Tozan Line
continues into various resort towns in Hakone. Owakudani can be
reached by cable car from Sounzan and the lake, while the lake is
crisscrossed by cartoon style "pirate" ships for tourists.
Pirate ship, Lake Ashinoko (Hakone), Japan -- by
jpatokal
A popular "Hakone Free Pass", allowing unlimited use of most forms of
transport for several days, is available.
As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 14,872 and a
density of 160.22 persons per kmē. The total area is 92.82 kmē.
A section of its mountain road became the only mountain stage for
Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune 2
Article based on
Wikipedia article and used under the
GNU Free Documentation License)
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