Famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities, views of nearby Mount Fuji, and overall natural beauty, Hakone has long been a favorite rural retreat from Tokyo for Japanese and foreign visitors alike. Part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Hakone is home to the beautiful caldera lake of Ashinoko and the iconic Mount Fuji. The town is situated less than 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Tokyo, an easy trip on the famous
shinkansen, or bullet train.
Iconic sights of Hakone include the waters of Lake Ashi, home to a huge set of orange torii gates; the Hakone Ropeway, a cable car that provides visitors birds-eye views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji; and the quiet, picturesque Narukawa Art Museum, home to a repository of modern paintings using traditional Japanese techniques.