Hakone Gora Park

Hakone Gora Park is a French-style formal garden located in the mountainous Hakone region of Kanagawa Prefecture, approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Established in 1914, it holds the distinction of being Japan's first French formal garden open to the public. The park was created during the Taisho period when Western garden design was gaining popularity among Japan's elite, and it served as a retreat destination for wealthy Tokyo residents seeking respite in Hakone's hot spring resort area.

The park spans approximately 40,000 square meters across terraced slopes at an elevation of 577 meters, offering visitors a blend of Western and Japanese garden aesthetics. The lower section features geometric flower beds, fountains, and symmetrical pathways characteristic of French formal gardens, while the upper areas incorporate traditional Japanese landscaping elements. The park is particularly significant for demonstrating early 20th-century cultural exchange and the Japanese adaptation of European garden design principles.

Visitors can explore several distinct areas within the park, including a rose garden that blooms from May through October, tropical greenhouses housing exotic plants, and a traditional teahouse called Hakuun-do where guests can experience Japanese tea ceremony. The park also features hands-on craft workshops where visitors can try activities such as glassblowing, pottery making, and creating pressed flower crafts. These workshops require advance booking and additional fees. Throughout the year, seasonal flower displays include cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in summer, and autumn foliage, making the park a year-round destination.

Hakone Gora Park is accessible via the Hakone Tozan Railway, with Gora Station serving as the nearest stop. From Gora Station, visitors can take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car for approximately one minute to Koen-Kami Station, which is located directly at the park's main entrance. The park is also included in the Hakone Free Pass, a popular tourist discount ticket that covers most transportation and attractions throughout the Hakone area. Standard admission costs ¥550 for adults, though Free Pass holders can enter at no additional charge.