Hakone-Yumoto (箱根湯本)
Hakone-Yumoto is the main gateway town of the Hakone region, sitting at the entrance of the Hayakawa Valley where the Hayakawa and Sukumogawa rivers meet. It is the first stop for most visitors arriving in Hakone and one of the most popular hot spring resort towns in all of Japan.
The town has been welcoming travelers for over 1,200 years, with its hot spring waters first recorded in documents dating back to the 8th century. For centuries it served as a resting point for travelers on the historic Tokaido Road, the ancient highway connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) and Kyoto.
Hakone-Yumoto Onsen is the collective name for the hot spring district centered around the town. The waters here are classified as calcium sulfate springs, long valued for their therapeutic effects on skin conditions, joint pain, and general fatigue. Dozens of ryokan and onsen facilities line the riverbanks and surrounding hillsides.
The Hayakawa River runs through the center of town, and many of the most celebrated ryokan are built directly along its banks. Soaking in a riverside rotemburo (outdoor bath) with the sound of the river below is one of the defining experiences of a stay in Hakone-Yumoto.
The main shopping street leading from the station is lined with shops selling Hakone specialties, including yosegi-zaiku (Hakone marquetry woodwork), onsen manju (steamed sweet buns), kamaboko (fish cake), and locally produced Kanagawa craft products. It is one of the most pleasant souvenir shopping streets in the wider Tokyo day-trip region.
Yosegi-zaiku is a traditional craft unique to the Hakone area, involving the intricate assembly of different colored woods into geometric patterns. The craft has been practiced in the region for over 200 years and is recognized as a nationally designated traditional craft of Japan.
Soun-ji Temple, a short walk from the station, is one of the most historically significant temples in the Hakone region. Founded in 1521, it served as the family temple of the powerful Hojo clan, who ruled the region during the Sengoku period. The approach through tall cedar trees is atmospheric and well worth the short detour.
The town also serves as the starting point for the famous Hakone Loop, the circular sightseeing route that takes visitors through the major attractions of the region. From Hakone-Yumoto, the Hakone Tozan Railway begins its scenic switchback climb through the mountains toward Gora, Owakudani, and Lake Ashi.
During rainy season in June and July, the hillsides along the Hakone Tozan Railway route burst into bloom with thousands of hydrangeas, making the train journey from Hakone-Yumoto one of the most beloved seasonal rail experiences in Japan.
The town is directly accessible from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo via the Romancecar limited express operated by Odakyu Railway, with a journey time of approximately 85 minutes. It is also reachable via the JR Tokaido Line to Odawara Station, followed by a short connection on the Hakone Tozan Railway.
The Hakone Free Pass, available from Odakyu ticket counters, covers unlimited travel on most transport within the Hakone region, including the mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, and lake boats, and is best purchased at the point of departure in Tokyo rather than upon arrival in Hakone-Yumoto.