The tourism market in Japan is currently steadily recovering, with tourists from around the world flocking to the country.
The performance of Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture, in particular, has been outstanding. According to the "Travel Review for Reiwa Year 4" released by Hakone Town in June 2023, the number of tourists increased by 128.6% compared to the previous year, reaching 17.36 million visitors.
Hakone is now bustling with foreign tourists increasing by 1031.9% compared to the previous year
Out of the 17.36 million visitors to Hakone, 42,000 were foreign tourists, marking a significant increase of 1031.9% from the previous year. After the COVID-19 pandemic, 38,000 foreign tourists have visited Hakone.
Hakone is a highly popular travel destination with numerous sightseeing spots and local specialties. But where do foreign visitors go, and how do they enjoy the area?
This time, we conducted a survey among foreigners who have been to Japan. We asked them about their "memories of Hakone."
We will present the voices of foreigners, including the Hakone sightseeing spots they visited, the facilities they stayed at, and their complaints during their visit.
Why is Hakone so popular among foreigners?
Hakone is a tourist destination that can be reached in about 75 minutes by taking the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku. Hakone Yumoto Onsen has been open since the Nara period and continues to attract many tourists even in the Reiwa era.
However, why are so many foreigners visiting Hakone now?
The main reason seems to be that Hakone offers a "Japan that is easy to understand."
Unlike touring Tokyo where you need to travel extensively to see famous attractions, as soon as you exit the station in Hakone, you can find an old-fashioned shopping street, majestic natural landscapes, and elements of Japanese culture like temples and shrines within a short walk. The relaxed atmosphere for sightseeing appears to be one of its charms.
Where do foreigners go on their "Hakone journey"?
According to the survey results among foreigners, the tourist spots they visit appear to be similar to those favored by Japanese tourists.
Famous attractions like Owakudani, Hakone Checkpoint, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Chaya Honjin Hapoya, as well as the Open-Air Museum and the Pola Museum of Art for art enthusiasts, were mentioned. However, one issue with these popular tourist spots is the overcrowding during peak seasons.
Many people expressed frustration at the overwhelming crowds...
"Buses are packed with tourists, and it's difficult to get a taxi. Even if you use a taxi app, you may have to wait for 40 minutes, and sometimes even phone calls for taxis get rejected." (American male)
For foreign tourists, traveling by train or bus can be challenging, and they often have no choice but to rely on taxis.
"There are so many tourists everywhere; it's exhausting." (Korean female)
"There are too many foreign tourists; I almost forgot what it feels like to be in Japan." (British male)
"There are so many people, and there aren't many tourist spots in front of the station. It's better to prepare your own vehicle." (Female from Taiwan)
Many foreigners find public hot springs to be challenging
Another noteworthy aspect is the topic of "onsen" (hot springs). For tourists visiting Hakone, regardless of their nationality, soaking in a hot spring is a must-do activity. However, many foreigners feel uncomfortable with the idea of bathing nude in a communal hot spring and generally do not prefer it. They are quite satisfied with private hot springs offered by hotels and inns.
"I don't like public hot springs, so I stayed at a hotel with a private hot spring. It was my first time in a hot spring, but I was very satisfied." (American male)
"Each room in our accommodation had its own hot spring bath, so it was very relaxing. Even bathing together with family members felt uncomfortable." (American male)
On the other hand, Koreans with facilities similar to Japanese super public baths, such as saunas, seem to have no hesitation in using public hot springs.
"I felt really good when I soaked in the hot springs in Hakone, it relieved me from my daily fatigue, and the hot spring eggs I ate in Owakudani were delicious." (Korean male)
Many Japanese people enjoy outdoor public baths and open-air hot springs, which allow you to experience their cultural characteristics.
Although there were some difficulties, I'm glad I could visit Hakone!
Despite the frustration of the large number of tourists, overall satisfaction seems to be high.
"I tried dango-yaki at 'Cafe Komon' in Honjin-hama. Slowly grilling the dango and adding Mitarashi sauce made it really delicious." (American male)
"While exploring Hakone Town, I had lunch at a soba noodle shop called '傳兵衛蕎麦 (Denbei Soba).'" (American male)
"I personally liked the Kuzuryu Shrine, located by Lake Ashi. It has a mysterious atmosphere that made me feel a strong Japanese vibe." (British male)
It seems that some tourists even venture to places like Odawara to avoid the crowds.
"Odawara Castle is not as well-known overseas, so there are not many tourists, and the quiet atmosphere is nice. I was surprised to see it so empty despite it being only about a 15-minute train ride." (American female)
It's great to see that everyone is enjoying their trip to Hakone!
Recommended Hakone Hotels for Foreign Tourists:
接下来，我们将介绍这些外国人实际居住的旅馆。
1. Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika ラフォーレ箱根強羅 湯の棲
Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika is a leisurely hot spring inn located amidst the lush greenery of Hakone Gora.
The inn has 44 rooms, mainly offering simple Japanese-style rooms and rooms with a fusion of Japanese and Western styles. If you choose the "Premium Hot Spring Room," you will have your private open-air bath where everyone can relax.
"It's great that you can enjoy drinks in the '囲炉裏リビング' (irori living room) at the hotel every day. On the day of check-in, we had hojicha frappuccinos and grilled fish cakes in the 囲炉裏リビング."
"I'm glad there was a bed even in the Japanese-style room, and they gave me a yukata to wear as loungewear, which left a deep impression on me." (American male)
- Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika ラフォーレ箱根強羅 湯の棲
- Address: 1320 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Google Map
- Access: Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Odakyu Line Hakone Yumoto Station, get off at Gora Station, and then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car. Get off at the Chokoku-no-mori Station (right side) and walk for about 5 minutes.
- Check-in: From 15:00 / Check-out: Until 11:00
- Booking Websites: Booking.com Agoda Hotels.com
2. Hakone Gora Onsen Tsukino-izumi（箱根強羅温泉 月の泉）
Hakone Gora Onsen Tsukino-izumi is an intimate inn for adults, offering 9 rooms, all equipped with private open-air baths.
You can relax in a luxurious and spacious terrace while enjoying the lush green scenery and the sound of flowing water.
"The rooms have their own hot spring baths, very relaxing. The food inspired by the four seasons looks beautiful and tastes great. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the inn's beautiful and peaceful atmosphere." (American male)
The inn offers creative kaiseki cuisine using seasonal ingredients. It is an ideal place to unwind after exploring tourist attractions.
- Hakone Gora Onsen Tsukino-izumi（箱根強羅温泉 月の泉）
- Address: 1300-173 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Google Map
- Access: Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Odakyu Line Hakone Yumoto Station, get off at Gora Station, and then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car. Get off at the Chokoku-no-mori Station (right side) and walk for about 5 minutes.
- Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 11:00
- Booking Website: Agoda
3. HAKONE ONSEN GUESTHOUSE TSUTAYA (箱根 つたや旅館)
"HAKONE ONSEN GUESTHOUSE TSUTAYA" is a hot spring inn that is currently popular among foreign tourists.
The hot spring lounge inside the hotel regularly holds events that allow guests from various parts of Japan and abroad to interact and experience Japanese culture.
"The appearance and interior have a Japanese atmosphere, which is great. If you want to spend a pleasant time with friends, I recommend this place." (Korean female)
One notable feature of the hotel is that it offers both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, as well as cabin-style rooms. You can use it not only for solo travel but also for group travel with friends.
- HAKONE ONSEN GUESTHOUSE TSUTAYA (箱根 つたや旅館)
- Address: 240-1 Sakaemachi, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Google Map
- Access: Take the Hakone Tozan Bus or Izu Hakone Bus from Hakone Yumoto Station and get off at the "Jinja-mae" bus stop. It's about a 5-minute walk.
- Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 11:00
- Booking Websites: Booking.com Agoda Hotels.com
In this case, we asked foreign tourists who have visited Hakone about their "memories of Hakone."
As the demand for travel to Japan is recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to improve immigration measures and transportation facilities, as it is expected that tourist numbers will increase across various regions of Japan.
Where will foreign tourists choose to go in Japan next?
