Hakone (Mt Fuji) tailor-made holidays

Hakone is well loved for two attractions in particular – the iconic view of sacred, symmetrical Mount Fuji seen across Lake Ashi, and its high concentration of bubbling onsen (hot springs). Featuring Mount Fuji as its backdrop, only sparkling lakes interrupt dense evergreen forests speckled with Shinto shrines, hot springs and luxury ryokans.

Shy Mount Fuji is, simply put, Japan’s icon. But, as the country’s highest mountain, it’s no easy climb. However, sunrise lake views and its 1,000-year-old temples rival any summit panorama, and rail journeys provide a spectacular way to witness the cherry blossom-lined lake at the base of the mountain.

Mt Fuji

Hakone's charms truly lie in its hidden houses and forests, from the remote hiking trails of Tokkaido to Miyanoshita's secret private baths. Hakone is also known for its onsen bathing and the ritual is integral to Japanese society and a trip to one of the 3,000 or so baths across the country is almost akin to a religious act. Onsen also provide soothing relief after walks through the park's many peaks and valleys, or for those who choose to undertake the ultimate climb in Japan and trek to the top of Fuji-san.

Hot spring, Yamanochaya, Hakone

Essential Japan

10-day tailor-made holiday from £4,235 pp incl. flights

Get a taste of all that this spectacular and multi-faceted country has to offer, with private tours of Tokyo, traditional ryokan stays, trips on Japan's 200mph bullet train and visits to world famous temples.

Best of Japan

14-day tailor-made holiday from £7,435 pp incl. flights

With a rail pass and a host of included tours and traditional ryokan stays, this is your chance to experience the best Japan has to offer as you explore the country's hi-tech cities, ancient temples and spectacular national parks.

Highlights of Japan & Okinawa

16-day tailor-made holiday from £7,835 pp incl. flights

Experience the best of Japan's culture and coast, with private tours, traditional ryokan stays, bullet train trips and even a stay on a pair of tropical island idylls.

Japan's Blossom Season

11-day tailor-made rail holiday from £5,255 pp incl. flights

Between private, tailor-made tours, bullet-train trips and stays in historic hot-spring inns, see the best of Japan and its world-famous cherry blossom season.

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Places to stay in Hakone

Hakone Ginyu, Hakone

Accommodation

Spacious rooms with private baths and sweeping mountain views set the scene for this traditional Hakone ryokan

Gora Kadan, Hakone

Traditional hotel

As a former imperial retreat, this is Japan’s most luxurious ryokan complete with fine dining and volcanically heated baths.

Hyatt Regency, Hakone

Contemporary hotel

If you’re looking for a touch of the contemporary, this is the best hotel in Hakone. However, you’ll still find onsen soaks and Ryokan-inspired balconies that look out onto mountain views.

Yamanochaya, Hakone

Traditional hotel

Between kaiseki degustation meals, hot spring waters and rice paper walls, enjoy the best in authentic ryokan inn stays.

Where to go in Hakone (Mt Fuji)

Lake Ashi

The bone-shaped, beautiful Lake Ashi never freezes over, due to the constant volcanic heat beneath its surface.

Mt Fuji

The views to be had from Hakone of Mt Fuji, Japan's most famous mountain, are staggering. Seen on a clear day from the banks of Lake Ashi, the snow-capped peak stands serene behind other lesser mountain tops - imperious, majestic, the single most iconic image of Japan.

Hakone

The Hakone outdoor art museum must have one of the most striking settings in the world - a mountainside above a line of valleys that leads down to the sea.

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