Experiences in Hakone
A mountain-onsen destination southwest of Tokyo, where meditation spaces, craft studios, and ryokan stays sit between forests, lakes, and volcanic landscapes. Best approached as an overnight trip or a long day from the capital.
Hakone works best when you slow down. Travelers usually come for hot springs, lake views, and ryokan stays, but the area also supports quieter cultural experiences that fit the same pace: meditation sessions, glass craft, and traditional workshop formats that make more sense here than they would in central Tokyo. From Shinjuku, Odakyu’s Romancecar or the Shinkansen-plus-local route via Odawara makes Hakone an easy overnight or a full day with an early start.
Hakone Spots (4)
Tokoan Kumano Gongen — Zazen and Shakuhachi Meditation in Hakone
Zen meditation with shakuhachi in Hakone. Hareto Score 86.
Kazuhiko Tajima Hakone — Private Sushi-Making Experience in Hakone
Private sushi-making experience in Hakone. Hareto Score 85.
Ashigarigo Setoyashiki — Historic Retreat Experience in Hakone
Historic retreat experience in Hakone. Hareto Score 83.
SKIF Hakone Shrine — Karate and Shinto Experience in Hakone
Karate and shrine ritual experience in Hakone. Hareto Score 79.