Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Hakone, a city located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is at a distance of less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. It is rich in history and culture as it was an important checkpoint on the old Tokaido highway. Renowned for its hot springs, scenic beauty and the panoramic view of nearby Mount Fuji from Lake Ashinoko. Hakone is a highly sought-after destination for visitors seeking respite from the bustling city of Tokyo.

Hakone is the site of the Hakone Gongen, a famous Shinto shrine that is referenced in literature from the Heian period. Following his defeat at the Battle of Ishibashiyama in the nearby Manuzuru during the Genpei War, Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed at this shrine for triumph over his adversaries.

The economy of Hakone is heavily driven by the tourism industry. Hakone is renowned for its onsen hot spring resorts. It attract both domestic and international tourists due to its proximity to the Greater Tokyo area and Mount Fuji. Notable attractions include the geysers at Owakudani, Hakone Shrine as well as the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. In addition, Hakone boasts several art museums, such as the Hakone Open-Air Museum and Pola Museum of Art.

JLPGA CAT Ladies Golf tournament and the Hakone Ekiden are two Significant annual events in Hakone. They are long-distance collegiate foot races held at the New Year, which covers the route from Tokyo to Hakone and back. They are partly in honor of the couriers who ran the Tokaido road.

Here are some places of interest that Visit Japan Web recommends.