Let’s visit the National Parks of Japan!
HakoneFuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
ここから本文です。
Away from the Noise of the Big City
Hakone is only a 90-minute train ride away from Central Tokyo. To get around Hakone, there is a fully-developed traffic network complete with mountain railways, ropeways, and buses, facilitating access to various destinations. Despite its proximity to Central Tokyo, Hakone is a location that combines countless great hot springs with historic places of note and sites of interest, in a setting of woods and forests as well as grasslands, lakes, and swamps ? protected nature that can be found only in National Parks. Moreover, there are many points that offer a good view of Mt. Fuji, such as Mt. Fuji across the somma (volcanic caldera) and Lake Ashinoko with Mt. Fuji, exquisite scenic views to one's heart's content only to be had in Hakone.
Gifts of Nature, Volcanoes and Hot Springs
Talking about Hakone's attractions means to talk about its hot springs.
A variety of hot springs offering a wide range of hot-spring water with different characteristics has earned Hakone its "20-Springs Hakone" moniker. Ways of enjoyment are just as varied, from the cypress bath, which might well represent the apex of Japanese style and sentiment, to the rotenburo (outdoor open bath) with a striking view of Mt. Fuji. The blessings of those hot springs would not exist without the volcanic activity which can be observed at Owakudani, a spot where volcanic activity penetrates to the surface. Hakone's ground has been shaped over several tens of thousands of years by volcanic activity. Visitors can experience first hand the dynamic workings of Earth.
A variety of hot springs offering a wide range of hot-spring water with different characteristics has earned Hakone its "20-Springs Hakone" moniker. Ways of enjoyment are just as varied, from the cypress bath, which might well represent the apex of Japanese style and sentiment, to the rotenburo (outdoor open bath) with a striking view of Mt. Fuji. The blessings of those hot springs would not exist without the volcanic activity which can be observed at Owakudani, a spot where volcanic activity penetrates to the surface. Hakone's ground has been shaped over several tens of thousands of years by volcanic activity. Visitors can experience first hand the dynamic workings of Earth.
Vestiges of History
The hot springs and nature of Hakone have been attracting people since the times of old. Mountains and lakes became sacred sites of nature worship, with large number of people coming to visit historic shrines and temples, especially the Hakone Shrine. During the Edo period, as a strategic point on the Tokaido highway, there was much coming and going by large numbers of travelers, and there are places remaining which remind us of those times, such as stone pavements and the remnants of the highway checking station. Discovering the relics of establishments created by people over hundreds of years is yet another fascinating side of Hakone The atmosphere of this road busy with travelers is still palpable today.
