As you’ll know in case you learn this weblog with any regularity, I’m not the most important fan of Hakone. Really, that’s not true—I believe Hakone’s fundamentals, as a vacation spot are wonderful; it’s simply sometimes too crowded to take pleasure in.
Certainly, the very fact stays that whether or not you’re searching for superb Fuji views, to stroll round an onsen city in yukata and geta, or just wish to soothe your aching physique in a sizzling spring, there are higher locations to go—and never simply within the neighborhood of Tokyo if location isn’t a consideration.
Beneath, I’ll current some alternate options to Hakone, and clarify during which conditions every is smart. I’ll warn you, nonetheless, that my put up could also be controversial to some!
Hakone, Sizzling Springs and All, Continues to Depart Me Chilly
I got here up with the concept of a put up about the place to go in addition to Hakone on my final journey to the city, which ought to inform you most of what you have to know. Whereas I loved many facet of this go to, I discovered myself irritated by at the very least as many. These included the very excessive worth I paid for my spartan “ryokan,” and the truth that so lots of the individuals round me at any given time have been obnoxious trust-fund children (sorry to my mates with wealthy mother and father who’re studying this—I nonetheless love you!).
Look, with each place you go (and never simply in Japan), it’s about steadiness, and particularly whether or not the positives steadiness out the negatives. Hakone has a whole lot of issues going for it, and if the celebrities occur to align once you go (i.e. you go through the useless of winter, or on a day when unhealthy climate was forecast however the solar finally ends up shining), you would possibly take pleasure in your journey greater than anticipated. However in my comparatively huge expertise, this isn’t often the case.
The place to Go In addition to Hakone
Fuji 5 Lakes
In case your precedence is Fujisan views, then you definitely frankly have to get nearer to the mountain. Particularly, the Fuji 5 Lakes area, out of which two lakes (Kawaguchi and Yamanaka, in that order) are the most well-liked and simple to entry. Even when the climate is lower than perfect, you’ve a a lot greater likelihood of seeing the mountain the nearer you get to it.
Kusatsu Onsen
For these in search of onsen city vibes with out all of the day trippers, my first choice for the place to go as an alternative of Hakone is Gunma prefecture’s Kusatsu Onsen. Whereas clearly not as handy to Tokyo as Hakone, I like this city for a way walkable its middle (whose focus is the distinctive Yubatake thermal characteristic) is, and the standard of ryokan there.
Kaga Onsen
What if Kusatsu Onsen sounds good to you, however a bit too remoted? Then worry not. Whereas Ishikawa prefecture’s Kaga Onsen is a little more unfold out—you’ll want to decide on whether or not you wish to keep in additional built-up Yamashiro Onsen, or in additional rustic Yamanaka Onsen—it’s proper down the Hokuriku Shinkansen line from Kanazawa, Fukui and Toyama.
Takaragawa Onsen
Hakone has many respectable onsen resorts, however only a few unbelievable out of doors onsen. If that’s what you’re after, then I can’t consider a greater different to Hakone than Takaragawa Onsen, which like Kusatsu is in Gunma prefecture. In the event you don’t keep on the resort itself, you may base your self in close by Minakami city, itself an amazing sizzling springs vacation spot.
Oku-Nikko
Probably the most disappointing half about my newest go to to Hakone? Whether or not alongside the shores of Lake Ashi or amid the volcanic vents of Owakudani, pure areas have been completely swamped. Whereas the decrease areas of Nikko north of Tokyo are undoubtedly additionally crowded, the identical can’t be mentioned for the Oku-Nikko space alongside the shores of Lake Chuzenji.
Why You Ought to Nonetheless Go to Hakone (if You Haven’t Been)
As I’ve tried to spotlight all through this put up, Hakone remains to be price visiting total. Listed below are a few of my favourite issues to do there:
- Day spas round Hakone-yumoto Station are a straightforward method to dip into Japan’s onsen tradition, in case you’ve by no means skilled.
- Whether or not from the Owakudani thermal space or from Moto-Hakone on the southern shores of Lake Ashi, your possibilities of seeing Mt. Fuji on a transparent day are comparatively excessive.
- The Hakone Open Air Museum, whereas overpriced and overcrowded, is without doubt one of the most original artwork museums anyplace in Japan.
- In the event you guide upfront or just get deal, among the onsen resorts in and round Hakone are fabulous (even when a lot of them are overpriced and poorly-maintained).
In different phrases, even when you find yourself preferring a special onsen in addition to Hakone (and I definitely do), you may nonetheless take pleasure in a visit to Hakone, notably in case you come for the day from Tokyo.
Different FAQ About Options to Hakone
Is Hakone or Lake Kawaguchi higher?
For Mt. Fuji views alone, Lake Kawaguchi beats Hakone by an order of magnitude. Then again, Hakone is nearer to Tokyo and simpler to do on a day journey, and there are merely extra resorts and ryokan on supply there for in a single day guests than there are in the complete Fuji 5 Lakes area.
Is it higher to remain in Hakone or do a day journey?
If you could find a highly-rated ryokan or resort at a worth you’re keen to pay, staying in a single day in Hakone will mean you can expertise the city’s points of interest with extra respiration room. In any other case, it’s completely simple to take a day journey to Hakone, whether or not immediately from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line, or through Shinkansen from central Tokyo to Odawara and the Hakonetozan Line from there.
Ought to I keep in Hakone or Fuji?
If getting clear, crisp views of Mt. Fuji is your main motivation, I like to recommend staying in one of many cities within the Fuji 5 Lakes area, be that Kawaguchiko or Yamanakako, or Fujiyoshida. Then again, Hakone presents a extra eclectic vary of journey experiences, even when it’s considerably extra crowded.
The Backside Line
I hope you discover my recommendations for alternate options to Hakone helpful (and never offensive). Need to see Mt. Fuji a lot nearer than you may from the shores of Lake Ashi? Head as an alternative to Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka, that are a lot nearer to the mountain than Hakone is. Likewise, onsen cities like Kaga and Kusatsu merely supply a extra relaxed expertise for decent spring lovers, whereas Nikko’s surroundings (particularly that in Oku-Nikko) is mostly superior to what exists in Hakone. Need personalised assist curating an expertise that, if needed, can substitute the house Hakone would possibly’ve stuffed for you? Rent me to plan a customized Japan itinerary for you!