I’ve given Hakone many probabilities. In reality, as I write this, I don’t know what number of instances I’ve been there off the highest of my head. Three? 4? 5?
Let’s be clear about one other factor: I don’t “hate” Hakone, and even dislike it. As I wrote in one other current put up, actually, I do assume its fundamentals as a journey vacation spot are robust, its proximity to each Mt. Fuji and the to the Tokyo space however.
But, on the subject of the large query—is Hakone value visiting?—my reply stays ambiguous. Possibly, however positively not sure.
I’ve Given Hakone Many Possibilities
Is Hakone value it? The brief reply is that I feel it depends upon how a lot house you have got in your journey and what you wish to obtain with it. Then again, I’ve gone again to Hakone many instances, and at completely different factors in my life as a traveler. And irrespective of how intentional or pragmatic I’ve tried to be, the truth of touring within the metropolis and surrounding area all the time slaps me within the face: Hakone is a tough place to get pleasure from absolutely.
Now, with this being mentioned, I all the time discover one thing to get pleasure from about my journey. Did I really like sitting in site visitors for over an hour driving as much as Owakudani final time? No. However the autumn colours at full brilliance in every single place I went softened the blow. Likewise, though the non-existent visibility of Fujisan put a damper on my very first journey, the comparatively dangerous climate meant that the place merely wasn’t crowded, permitting me to mope and moan in relative peace and quiet.
5 Issues I Dislike About Hakone
The crowds
I’m not a giant believer within the idea of “overtourism,” broadly talking. With this being mentioned, Hakone positively hosts extra vacationers than it was designed to carry, which is clear principally in every single place on the town you go. It’s distracting, and ironic, for a vacation spot that exists (at the least partly) to be an escape from the large metropolis.
The site visitors
I usually hire automobiles in Japan, and self-drove the final time I used to be in Hakone. So whereas I would nicely have discovered Hakone value visiting had I taken the cable automobile to the Owakudani thermal discipline, sitting in a line of automobiles for greater than an hour positively soured me on the expertise. I’ve truthfully by no means seen site visitors like Hakone’s anyplace else in Japan.
The costs
Japan is usually cheaper than it’s ever been, regardless of the continuing tourism growth. The yen is persistently weak, and since there have been a long time of value deflation in Japan (earlier than the current, comparatively modest inflation), your cash goes a great distance—in most locations. Hakone is sadly an exception to this rule, particularly within the case of lodging.
The kinds of guests
Hakone, I jotted down in my “Notes” app whereas on my newest journey, is the place unadventurous wealthy folks go to really feel adventurous. I additionally remarked about what number of of them have been dressed as in the event that they have been about to climb Mt. Everest, regardless of the truth that all of us have been actually strolling on pavement. A cynical evaluation? Possibly. However by no means an inaccurate one.
The space from Mt. Fuji
A lot hay is make of Hakone’s utility as a place for seeing Mt. Fuji, however except the climate may be very clear, you aren’t going to see the mountain, at the least not very sharply—it’s merely not all that close by. Most of the time you’ll see items of Fujisan peaking out via clouds from Lake Ashi or Owakundani, or none of it in any respect.
The place to Go As an alternative of Hakone
Feeling ambivalent about visiting Hakone? Don’t go! As an alternative, think about one in all these alternate options:
- For superb views of Mt. Fuji, selecting vacation spot within the Fuji 5 Lakes area, similar to Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka.
- Scorching springs cities are a dime a dozen in Japan, from Kinosaki Onsen close to Kyoto and Osaka, to Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma north of Tokyo, to Kaga Onsen within the Hokuriku area.
- For superb mountaineering with out so many crowds, think about a day journey to the Chuo Alps from Matsumoto, or doing the Kumano Kudo pilgrimage in Wakayama prefecture.
Different FAQ About Visiting Hakone
Is it value visiting Hakone in Japan?
Hakone is certainly value visiting for sure kinds of vacationers, largely due to its proximity to Tokyo, in addition to how simply accessible it makes Japan’s onsen tradition. Nevertheless, Hakone is crowded and costly, and the benefit of viewing Mt. Fuji from the city is overstated.
What’s so particular about Hakone?
Generations of Tokyoites have liked going to Hakone for the cool climate and contemporary air, for the abundance of sizzling springs and for views of Mt. Fuji within the distance. In my view, nevertheless, all of those positives are overhyped, and never sufficient legitimate criticism about Hakone is current in conversations about it.
Is Hakone overpriced?
Hakone has positively gotten dearer lately, even because the Japanese yen stays weak, and Japan as an entire turns into extra reasonably priced. Costs for inns particularly are excessive, with even outdated and poorly maintained inns costing a minimal of ¥10,000 per individual, per evening for double occupancy. If you wish to keep in a four- or five-star lodging in Hakone, you have to be ready to pay for the privilege.
The Backside Line
Is Hakone value visiting? Definitely, I’ve my justifiable share of criticisms in regards to the vacation spot, from how crowded it’s, to the kinds of vacationers who go to, to excessive costs for inns and admittedly, the extent to which its comfort and proximity to Mt. Fuji is overstated. Then again, I can’t fake that Hakone is a “dangerous” place, or that there aren’t any deserves to visiting it. Even should you merely take a day journey from Tokyo to the Hakone Open Air Museum, there’s an argument that the journey (as disturbing as it’d show to be) may find yourself being worthwhile. Regardless, whether or not you need another person to make this choice for you, or are searching for skilled suggestions in a broader sense, I do hope you’ll think about hiring me to plan your journey to Japan.