Driving in Hakone is a popular sightseeing route where you can enjoy beautiful mountain roads and the shores of Lake Ashino. You can also enjoy hot springs and gourmet food, as well as visit famous sites such as Owakudani and Hakone Shrine. The scenery in each season is attractive, and the autumn leaves in fall are especially spectacular. This time, we took a one-day trip to Hakone in Rent-a-Car’s GR86, which you can imitate as a model course if you like.
Roadside Station Hakone Touge from Tokyo
Rent a car and drive from Tokyo to Hakone. We will go to our first destination, Michi no Eki Hakone Touge (Roadside Station Hakone Touge). Roadside Station Hakone-Toge is located along Route 1 in Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. Located along Route 1 in Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, it offers a spectacular view of Lake Ashi, the mountains of Hakone, and, if the weather permits, Mt.Fuji as well.
Lake Ashi as seen from Roadside Station Hakone-Toge. It offers souvenirs of Hakone, soba and udon noodles such as “Hakone Touge Soba” and “Touge no Big Kakiage Soba” made with their signature broth, rice bowls, desserts, and more. Of course, there are restrooms, so be sure to take a good rest.
Ashinoko Skyline from Roadside Station Hakone Touge
While aiming for Owakudani, we will drive along the Ashinoko Skyline.
The Ashinoko Skyline is a toll road in Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, connecting Hakone Pass to Kojiri Pass. The road is about 10.75 km long and runs at an elevation of about 850 m. It offers beautiful views of Lake Ashinoko, Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay. It is popular as a driving and touring spot, and there are many observatories and rest facilities along the road. The view from the Fujimidai Observatory is particularly spectacular, and on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Another attraction is that you can enjoy the scenery of each of the four seasons.
Owakudani from Ashinoko Skyline
We arrived at Owakudani, a very popular spot in Hakone! Owakudani is an active volcanic area located in Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, and was formed by the eruption of Hakone Volcano approximately 3,000 years ago. The volcanic activity continues to this day, and the area is characterized by the white plumes of smoke rising from the volcano. The famous “black eggs” are boiled in the hot spring ponds of Owakudani, and it is said that eating them will prolong one’s life. It is a popular tourist spot, with a spectacular view from the ropeway and an observatory from which visitors can view Mt. Due to volcanic gases, safety measures are in place and visitors should exercise caution when visiting.
The museum was very crowded with many souvenirs.
Black eggs are sold in the cafeteria next to the building where the souvenirs are lined up. If you are interested, try it.
Yu no Sato Okada from Owakudani
The second half of the drive is finally over. Let’s take a hot spring bath to relieve the fatigue of driving. Yunosato Okada is a one-day hot spring facility located in Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. Located in Hakone-Yumoto Hot Spring Village, it boasts an abundance of natural hot spring water. The facility offers a variety of bathtubs, including open-air baths, indoor baths, and saunas, where you can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons. There is also a restaurant and a rest area, making it the perfect place to stop by during sightseeing or a drive. The hotel is also easily accessible, with a shuttle bus running from Hakone-Yumoto Station. It is the perfect hot spring facility to spend a relaxing time.
At the restaurant, we had soba and sashimi. The menu is extensive and will help you recover from the fatigue of your trip. Bring your own towel and bath towel to avoid paying towel rental fees!
Tokyo from Yunosato Okada
After you have recovered from your trip in the hot springs, resume your drive. Traffic may be congested on the way back, so if you have rented a car, leave early. Also, Hakone is a mountainous area, so the weather can change suddenly. The road surface may be icy after dark, so please be careful on your way home!
Summary
A one-day road trip to Hakone. How was it? I think you can relax by getting away from the city center, getting in touch with nature, taking a hot spring bath, and driving on a mountain pass. For me, it was an extraordinary experience that refreshed my mind. I hope to share more of my actual road trips with you in the future! To check out the latest posts, check out our Instagram!
Also, please take a look at this article on how to rent the GR86 we rented this time!
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