How could you visit Hakone and miss Owakudani, a place filled with the “power of the earth”!
This is Hakone's most iconic volcanic landscape. Along the way, you can see wisps of white smoke rising from the valley, and there's a faint smell of sulfur in the air, as if the earth itself were breathing. Owakudani is also said to be one of Hakone's famous power spots. Standing before the spectacular volcanic terrain, you really can feel a mysterious and awe-inspiring force. When the weather is clear, you can also see Mount Fuji in the distance, and the view is truly spectacular. You have to see it for yourself when you visit Hakone!
Owakudani | Review by wendy
Other Reviews by wendy
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Hakone Sekisyo
After Ieyasu Tokugawa entered the Kanto region and established the Edo shogunate, the importance of the Tokaido highway connecting Edo and Kyoto increased, and it was necessary to strictly control the entry and exit of people to maintain the security of Edo.
Hakone Sekisho feels like stepping into a page from an Edo-period history textbook! It was once an important checkpoint in Hakone, where the shogunate strictly inspected travelers, especially to prevent weapons and women from entering Edo. The buildings have now been restored to their original appearance, and you can climb up to the lookout post. The stairs take a bit of effort, but from the top you can take in sweeping views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, you can even spot Mount Fuji's white peak in the distance. Afterward, you can stroll along the lakeshore and visit the museum for a relaxing outing with a touch of history. It's easy to include on your itinerary and highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historic sites!
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Hakone-Yumoto Onsen Hot Spring Village
Hakone-Yumoto Onsen Hot Spring Village is known as one of the seven hot springs in Hakone and the largest hot spring resort in Hakone.
If you come to Hakone, you have to explore this atmospheric hot spring street! Stroll along the street and you'll find one hot spring inn, restaurant, and souvenir shop after another. You can eat, browse, and shop as you go, so there's never a dull moment. The hot springs are said to date back to the Nara period, and the area became even more prosperous during the Edo period thanks to the Tokaido Road. When I visited on a weekday, there were fewer tourists than I expected, which made it especially pleasant to explore. It's easy to get there by taking the Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto Station. After exploring, soaking in a hot spring is such a treat!
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Perry Road
Perry Road in Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a historic path with a stone-paved walkway running along the Hiraname River. Known as the route Commodore Perry marched along to reach Ryosenji Temple in 1854, it still preserves the atmosphere of the old port town, once said to welcome 3,000 ships, with buildings made of Izu stone, namako walls, and rows of willow trees.
When I visited Perry Road in Shimoda, Shizuoka, there were hardly any tourists on this weekday. The entire stone-paved path was so quiet that I couldn't help but slow down. This is the historic street where Commodore Perry once walked, lined with rustic Izu stone buildings and willow trees, and filled with a nostalgic Japanese atmosphere.
This is my favorite kind of travel—no rushing from place to place, no noisy crowds, just the breeze, flowing water, and old-town charm. As I walked along, I suddenly felt like I was filming a Japanese period drama. -
