Hakone Highlights – What I Loved About Hakone

When you finally get to stand in a place that’s been on your list for a long time, sharing an itinerary isn’t enough. That’s exactly how I feel about my trip to Hakone and so here’s the heart behind the trip, here is what it felt like. 

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for tours, accommodations, and experiences in Tokyo. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to keep creating free travel guides. I only recommend services I’ve used or thoroughly researched. Thank you for your support!

Nicolai Bergmann Hakone Gardens

I am the only one I know of who had Nicolai Bergmann Hakone Gardens on their itinerary. I stumbled upon the Omotesando flagship store in Tokyo a couple of years ago, and I love their floral arrangements (scheming on how to buy one of the dried arrangements as a keepsake). While eating at the Nomu cafe in Tokyo, I saw a flyer about the gardens in Hakone. The floral arrangements in the store are just stunning (highly recommended for fancy gifting), so, of course I wanted to see the gardens. I can’t keep a plant alive to save myself, but I love to be in nature and I love flowers. 

The gardens were not in full bloom as it was winter, and yet it was beautiful. I only saw about 4 other guests during my visit, so it felt as though I had the space to myself.  Now, can I take the whole place home with me? I could already picture it!  It would be a wonderful place to host an intimate farm to table dinner with friends. Good people, good music, a lot of laughter, good food, great wine, in nature. Ugh! Visiting places like this makes me want to go take a gardening class or something, because wouldn’t it be wonderful to LIVE with flowers in this way? 

Finally, an Onsen Girlie

Have you really lived in or visited Japan if you have not been to an onsen? No! Furthermore, Hakone is an onsen town, so visiting an onsen there is pretty much as basic as breathing. But, I finally did it!  I booked a long-awaited stay at a hotel with private onsen and a public option, and a foot onsen onsite. Triple onsen opportunities come on! I knew onsens ran hot, but I did not realize how hot. I hopped in right after running the water and let me tell you that I stepped in and jumped out instantly! After letting it cool off, I finally enjoyed my soak while listening to the soundtrack of the flowing river! 

Enjoying my soak, to the sound of the river, and in the open crisp winter air was perfect. I proceeded to soak three times over the weekend — my onsen wait was worth it! After checking out, I enjoyed the footbath outside with a view of the river before I left the hotel.

Re-Routing 

The beginning of my Saturday in Hakone was marked by a standard tourist mistake! On my way to Moto-hakone, I need to walk, ride a bus, and then transfer to another bus. I got the walk, got on my first bus and got on at the right spot. Then came the final transfer! Your girl got on the right bus, but in the wrong direction. The worst part? It took me a while to realize, and by then the bus stops were nowhere near each other. I got off as soon as I could, but lost an hour on a day where daylight was short. I charged it to the game, and was glad to have my gloves cos my fingers were freezing!

The Unexpected Joy at Hakone Open Air Museum

Not going to lie to you, but I am not a museum girlie. I do not ‘get’ most art! But, I love the idea of open air museums. Stopping at the Hakone Open air museum was one of the highlights of my stay. The mountains in the background, the actually interesting and stunning sculptures ( some interactive and perfect for kids and adults), the impressive Picasso collection, and the free foot soak. What is not to love? While it was one of the last stops on the day I visited, I had to be told to leave. I recommend arriving and frolicking though (oops, exploring) at a leisurely pace. 

Extending My Lifespan in Owakudani

Haters will say this is a tourist move, but hell, I am a tourist! Owakudani is synonymous with kuro tamago (black eggs). Kuro tamago are regular eggs boiled in the volcanic spring waters of the Owakudani valleys for about an hour.

The sulfur and iron in the water interact with the shell, turning it totally black. Legend has it that eating one of these black eggs will extend one’s life by 7 years. I bought 4 (ok ok, that was the minimum purchase allowed) and ate 2 because let’s not push it with immortality! Do I believe it? No. Did I enjoy it and chuckle at it? Absolutely!

Hakone had been on my list since I arrived in Japan and I loved it. I only wish I had visited earlier and maybe even made a tradition of returning once every year. Yes, I’m still going to try to squeeze in a return to Hakone before I leave Japan. But even if I don’t, I will always look back fondly on this windy wintry weekend getaway, when Hakone quietly won my heart.

Need some help with planning your Japan trip? I’ve got you covered!

• Hakone Itinerary (1 or 2 days)
• How to spend 5 days in Tokyo, and avoid a cookie cutter holiday 
• 30 things to know before visiting Japan
• Go on the perfect winter day trip to Gala Yuzawa
• 45+ Souvenir ideas from Japan