Free things to do · Hakone · Japan
5 free things to do in Hakone
Hakone without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Hakone without paying an entry fee: Hakone Shrine, Old Tōkaidō road and cedar avenue, Onshi Hakone Park and Sengokuhara susuki grassland are all free. The Hakone Freepass usually pays for itself if you ride the full loop of train, cable car, ropeway and boat.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- February
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi
1.Hakone Shrine
Arrive early in the morning, before the boats bring day trippers, to photograph the lakeside torii without a long queue.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- History
Historic site · Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi
2.Old Tōkaidō road and cedar avenue
Walk the stone section downhill from Moto-Hakone towards Amazake-chaya; the stones are slippery after rain, so wear shoes with grip.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Nature
Park · Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi
3.Onshi Hakone Park
Visit between the Hakone Checkpoint and Moto-Hakone, walking via the cedar avenue, and come in winter for the clearest Fuji views.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Couples
Nature · Sengokuhara
4.Sengokuhara susuki grassland
Come in late afternoon in October or early November, when low sun lights the grass; the grassland is burned in early spring and looks bare until summer.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Sengokuhara
5.Mount Kintoki hike
Climb on a clear winter or autumn morning for the best Fuji view, and carry water and layers.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi | Hakone Shrine, Old Tōkaidō road and cedar avenue and Onshi Hakone Park | 1 hour + 1–3 hours + 45 minutes |
| Sengokuhara | Sengokuhara susuki grassland and Mount Kintoki hike | 1 hour + 3–4 hours return |
Worth a small ticket
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Nature · Ōwakudani
Ōwakudani
Visitors with asthma or heart conditions should take care, as volcanic gas levels can be high; access is sometimes restricted when the volcanic alert level rises, so check before travelling.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Views
- Food
Experience · Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone Tozan Railway
Stand at the front or back window to watch the driver and conductor swap ends at each switchback.
- Time needed
- 40 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Historic site · Old Tōkaidō
Amazake-chaya teahouse
Plan it as the rest stop on the old Tōkaidō walk, then catch the bus back to Moto-Hakone or Yumoto from the stop outside.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- History
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi
Hakone Checkpoint
Climb the small lookout tower inside the compound for a view across Lake Ashi.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Garden · Gōra
Gōra Park
Ride the cable car up to Kōen-kami station and walk down through the park to Gōra.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Rainy day
Experience · Hakone-Yumoto
Tenzan onsen
Bring your own towel to save on hire, and check the tattoo policy before you go.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Nature
More ways to save
- The Hakone Freepass usually pays for itself if you ride the full loop of train, cable car, ropeway and boat.
- Stay mid-week; ryokan rates jump on Saturday nights and holidays.
- Business hotels and guesthouses in Hakone-Yumoto cost far less than ryokan, and day-use onsen give you the bathing experience.
- Many sights, such as Hakone Shrine, the old Tōkaidō and Onshi Hakone Park, are free.
- Convenience stores in Yumoto and Gōra sell inexpensive lunches for the loop.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hakone expensive to visit?
Hakone is expensive for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Hakone?
Hakone Shrine: Arrive early in the morning, before the boats bring day trippers, to photograph the lakeside torii without a long queue.