Tokyo Travel—Visiting Ginza Area

Before the Move

Before the move: A local's guide to the Tsukiji Fish market (YouTube link)

Before the move: TOP 10 Street Food at Tsukiji Fish Market (YouTube link)

After the Move

What NEW Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market is like AFTER Toyosu MOVE (YouTube link)

The (銀座) ⭐is one of the most visited areas in Tokyo.  It is Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes.

Places to Visit

• Tsukiji Fish Market
• Known as one of the world's largest fish markets
• すしざんまい 本店 (see below) is located here
• On 10/11/2018, the Jonai side of Tsukiji has been moved to Toyosu new location.
• Imperial Palace East Gardens Ninomaru
• Hours: 
• 9:00 to 16:30 (until 17:00 from mid April through August; until 16:00 from November through February). Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
• Closed: 
• Mondays, Fridays, New Year (Dec 28 to Jan 3) and some special occasions. If Monday or Friday is a national holiday, the gardens are closed on the following day instead.
• Ginza Shopping
• Ginza Six
• District's largest shopping complex
• Shops: 10:30 to 20:30 (Restaurants: typically11:00 to 23:30)
• Ginza Mitsukoshi
• Shops: 10:30 to 20:00 (Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 23:00)
• Marronnier Gate
• Shops: 11:00 to 21:00 (restaurants until 23:00)
• HITSUMABUSHI NAGOYA BINCHO (see below) is located in Ginza 1
• Itoya
• Claimed to be Japan's best stationery shop
• Daily 10:00 to 20:00 (until 19:00 on Sundays and holidays)
• Ginza Wako
• Inside the building, jewelry and luxury items are sold
• Shops: 10:30 to 19:00
• Uniqlo Ginza Store
• Clothing retailer producing a collection of casual wear & accessories for men, women & children.
• Winter Illumination
• Caretta Shiodome
• Ginza

Restaurants

Two restaurants are recommended below.  But you can find more restaurants using Tabelog web site which has an English version.

HITSUMABUSHI NAGOYA BINCHO

• Categories: Eeel Rice or Hitsumabushi  【 櫃まぶし 】
• Location: Marronnier Gate (マロニエゲート銀座1)
• Hours:
• Lunch 11: 00-15: 30 (LO 15: 00)
• Dinner 17: 00-23: 00 (Monday - Thursday, Sunday and holidays LO 21: 30) (Friday, Saturday, Public Holiday LO 22: 00) 
• Notes
• Eel dish will be provided until sold out

すしざんまい 本店

• Categories: Sushi, Seafood, Seafood rice bowl
• Location: Tsukiji Market
• Hours
• Open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year

Tokyo Travel—Know More about Shinagawa Station

Japan has some of the world's most infamously crowded trains, particularly the nation's capital, Tokyo. According to the transport ministry, the 10 most congested lines in the greater Tokyo area were:^[1]

• Tozai subway line
• Odakyu line
• JR Yokosuka line
• JR Chuo line
• Tokyu Denentoshi line ( to Shibuya)
• JR Tokaido Line
• JR Sobu Express
• Chiyoda subway line
• JR Keihin Tohoku Line.

In this article, we will cover one of the most busiest train stations in Tokyo—Shinagawa Station (品川駅) .

Shinagawa Station (品川駅)

In ONLY in JAPAN * GO video, John has bought Toei 1 Day Pass with:

• Unlimited one-day use of the Toei Subway, Toei Bus, Tokyo Sakura Tram(Toden Arakawa Line), and Nippori-Toneri Liner
• Adult: 700 yen Child: 350 yen
• Where to buy: Automatic ticket vending machines at all Toei Subway stations and on Toei buses / trams, etc.

However, John has found a hard lesson about using the Pass because he was trapped inside the Shinagawa Station without being able to "exit" from it because 

• Shinagawa Station is really complicated for most first-time visitors
• You need a valid ticket to exit at the correct exit gates

Video 1.  Shinagawa Station—Tokyo Rail Adventure Guide (YouTube link)

Below video could be helpful for you to understand the complicated track systems of Shinagawa Station.

Video 2. 【品川駅】 Shinagawa Station (YouTube link)

Travel Tips

If you ever need to travel through Shinagawa Station and make a connection there, do follow below recommendations:

1. Avoid morning rush hours (7:00 to 9:00) and evening rush hours (17:00 to 19:00)
2. Choose Prepaid IC Card (e.g., Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, etc.) or Greater Tokyo Pass instead of John's Toei 1 Day Pass (or other limited access Pass) as shown in the video.
• You use IC Card for its convenience.  However, IC cards generally do not provide any discounts over regular tickets.  The IC cards are virtually identical to each other in terms of coverage. The cards mainly differ on where they can be purchased and refunded. Therefore, most people will want to purchase the card available in the first city where they arrive, e.g. Suica or Pasmo in Tokyo or Icoca in Osaka.
• "Greater Tokyo Pass" is a Plan Ticket which allows unlimited rides for 3 days on railway lines and streetcars operated by 12 companies and ordinary fixed-route buses of 52 companies in the Kanto area.
3. Plan your trip with Hyperdia  in advance and choose the simplest route option (e.g., least transfers/connections) and stick with it

References

1. How to Avoid Crowded Trains
2. Shinagawa Station, the Great Escape | Tokyo Rail Adventure Guide
3. TOKYO.【品川駅】.Introduction to Tracks of Shinagawa Station
4. IC Cards
5. Hyperdia
6. Tokyo Subway Ticket
• Cover all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines 
7. Tokyo Monorail Guide

Hokone Travel—Where to Shop and Eat in Shengokuhara Area

In this article, we just want to demonstrate how you can plan in advance to find where to eat and where to shop for groceries using both Google maps and tabelog.com (in Japanese; however, google translate can help).

Shengokuhara Area

Most people travelling to Hakone (箱根) stay around Hakone-Yumoto area.  So, if you want to visit Shengokuhara Area for the following activities:

• Visiting Hakone Glass no Mori
• Hakone Hiking Trail―Hakone-jinja Shrine and Old Tokaido (東海道)
• Hakone Travel—Visiting Choanji Temple (長安寺)
• Hakone Travel—Mt. Kintoki Hiking Trail
• Hakone Travel—Visiting Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field (仙石原すすき草原)

You probably would wonder where you could eat meals or buy groceries.  Here are the research that we have done for you:

Supermarket

• A᛫ COOP  仙石原店 (Aコープ)
• Hours: 9:30～18:00

Restaurants

Below restaurants are more on the economical side:

• めし処 いなか家 大地
• Hours :11:30～14:00 18:00～20:00
• Kitchen bar Genki Shokudo
• Hours : 11:00～15:00 18:00～21:00
• tsukumo (九十九)
• Hours : 11:00～20:30 (last order 20:00)
• Yuuzen (游膳)
• Hours : 11:30～20:30
• BABYLON BIRD BAKERY/バビロンバードベーカリー
• Hours : 7:30～21:00
• Kamaya (かま家)
• Hours : 
• [Monday - Friday] 9: 00-20: 00
• [Saturday, Sunday and public holidays] 9: 00 ~ 21: 00
• Osakanaryouriuosei (お魚料理 うおせい)
• Hours : 
• Lunch 11: 00 ~ 15: 00
• Dinner from 17: 30-20: 00 (Last Order)
• Shoumatei (勝馬亭)
• Hours : 11:00～20:00 (Last Order)

Note the above opening hours are for your reference only.  Please do check out tabelog.com or google for detailed information (e.g., closed days; hours based on seasons).

References

1. tabelog.com
2. Shengokuhara area
3. RomajiDesu English Japanese Dictionary and Translator
4. Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
5. Hakone Travel (Total 17 articles on this blogger)

Hakone Travel―Visiting Museums

Odakyu Movie Summer Edition (YouTube link)

Hakone⭐⭐, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a very popular destination among Tokyoites, as well as tourists, for its gorgeous scenery around the Mount Fuji (for instance, the Lake Ashinoko 芦ノ湖 and Owakudani 大涌谷), its many onsens and vacation resorts.

Actually, there are quite a few interesting museums in Hakone too, In this article, we will cover some of them:

• Open Air Museum
• Hakone Glass no Mori
• Pola Museum
• Hakone Museum of Art

Hakone Open Air Museum

Hakone Open Air Museum

The Hakone Open Air Museum (箱根彫刻の森美術館, Hakone Chōkoku No Mori Bijutsukan) successfully attempts to create a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its grounds in combination with views of the surrounding valley and mountains.

The museum has various different sections and exhibition spaces outdoors and indoors. The Picasso Exhibition Hall is one such space and showcases two stories of paintings, sculptures and ceramic works by the artist in addition to photos of him at various points during his life.

Hakone Glass no Mori

Hakone Glass no Mori

The Hakone Glass no Mori (箱根ガラスの森) features Italian styled buildings housing a museum and shops. Outside is a large strolling garden surrounding a canal like pond. The garden has a number of large glass sculptures laid about it, as well as a cafe with an open terrace at one end where live canzoni (Italian ballads) performances are held.

The Glass no Mori's Venetian Glass Museum houses a collection of over 100 pieces of Venetian glassware. It displays both modern and classical works in all forms including vases, goblets, lamps and sculptures.

Pola Museum

Pola Museum

The museum was built amid a forest of 300 year old beech trees, and although constructed of concrete and glass, it is designed so as not to disrupt the natural environment that surrounds it. To achieve this, the majority of the building is located underground.

The museum features modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures, ceramics and glassware by mostly Japanese and European artists. In addition to temporary exhibits, the museum displays rotating exhibits drawn from its permanent collection which include works by artists such as Cezanne, Monet, Picasso and Renoir.

Odakyu Movie Autumn Edition (YouTube link)

Hakone Museum of Art

The museum displays mainly Japanese ceramics from prehistoric timesthrough the Edo Period (1600-1868). These include a number of large earthenware and ceramic vessels such as a haniwa burial statue classified as an Important Cultural Property.

The museum also features a pretty moss garden with stone paths winding through the shade of its maple trees. The garden beautifully reflects the seasons with brilliant autumn colors during November (watch the video above) and vibrant greens in spring. There is also a teahouse where green tea is served for a small fee.

References

1. Open Air Museum
2. Hakone Glass no Mori
3. Pola Museum
4. Hakone Museum of Art
5. 10 Best Museums in Hakone to Appreciate Art, History, and Nature
6. 10 Best Things To Do In Hakone for an Extended Stay

Hakone Hiking Trail: Explore Hakone-jinja Shrine and the Old Tokaido (東海道)

Hakone Travel―Pirate Cruise on Lake Ashinoko (YouTube link)

The following trip is designed for a one-day hiking around Lake Ashinoko area with the following itinerary:

1. Hakone Visitor Center ― (15 min.0.8 km) →
2. Togendai Port ― (50 min.8 km) →
3. Moto-Hakone Port ― (10 min.0.7 km) →
4. Hakone-jinja Shrine ― (35 min.1.8 km) →
5. Amasake-Chaya (Tea House) 

In this article, we assume you will use Hakone Freepass and all transportation fees should be covered.

Click to Enlarge (North points to Up).^[4] 

View from Hakone Visitor Center Walking Course^[8]

Hakone Visitor Center

Immerse yourself in the natural tapestry of Hakone before embarking on your aquatic adventure. The Hakone Visitor Center's walking course beckons with chirping melodies, verdant paths, and the shimmering embrace of Lake Ashi. It's a nature lover's haven just minutes from Togendai Port.

Click to Enlarge (North points to Left, not Up)^[1]

Lake Ashinoko

The best views of the lake in combination with Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from:^[3]

• Moto-Hakone (a few steps south from the sightseeing boat pier)
• Hakone Detached Palace Garden 
• Sightseeing boats cruising the lake

View of Fuji Mt. from either Detached Palace Garden or Old Tokaldo Road

Hakone Travel―Taking Old Tokaido Road to Hakone-jinja Shrine (YouTube link)

Old Tokaido (東海道) Hiking

From Moto-Hakone Port, you walk along lake shore to Hakone-Jinja Shrine (roughly 10 mins).  Then take the paved Old Tokaido (東海道) to arrive Amasake-Chaya, which is a tea house with a 400-year history:^[1]

With its distinctive thatched roof, it has been known since the times of old for its amazake (sweet fermented rice drink) and mochi (Japanese rice cake). There used to be four tea houses in this vicinity, where a great many travelers are said to have found rest and refreshment. As a reward for the long walk, why not have a drink of amazake, and while enjoying it, take a rest and let yourself slip back in time to the Edo period.

After enjoying your stay at Amasake-Chaya, you can either leave with bus Line K or keep on hiking down to Yumoto (1h 55m).

Paved Old Tokaido (東海道)

References

1. Lake Ashinoko Pleasure Boat and Hakone-jinja Shrine, Stone Pavement Course (National Parks of Japan)
2. Hakone Ropeway
3. Lake Ashinoko 
4. Hakone Visitor Center Walking Course (National Parks of Japan)
5. 10 Best Museums in Hakone to Appreciate Art, History, and Nature
6. 10 Best Things To Do In Hakone for an Extended Stay
7. Hakone Travel (Total:16 articles on this blogger)
8. Hakone Travel―Morning Stroll along Lake Ashinoko
9. Hakone Hachiri: Highway Back in Time - Journeys in Japan (video)

Japan Travel―Visiting Hakone for Onsen Experience

10 Best Onsen Ryokan Hotels in Hakone, Japan (YouTube link)

Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a very popular destination among Tokyoites, as well as tourists, for its gorgeous scenery around the Mount Fuji (for instance, the Ashi lakes and Owakudani), its many onsens and vacation resorts.

Hakone Onsen 

Hakone (箱根) is one of the most popular onsen ⭐⭐(hot spring) towns and has a history of 1200 years. Visitors can enjoy a hot spring bath in public bath houses or ryokan. Many ryokan open their baths not only to staying guests but also to daytime visitors. While staying guests can use the baths for free, daytime visitors pay an admission fee of typically between ¥500 and ¥2000.

Onsen for Daytime Visitors

Below is a list of some of Hakone's better baths open to the general public:

1. Tenzan (天山湯治郷)
• 天山 
• Hours: 9:00 to 23:00 (entry until 22:00)
• Admission: 1300 yen
• Other Options
2. Hakone Yuryo (箱根湯寮)
• Large Communal Bath
• Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (weekends until 22:00), entry ends one hour before closing
• Admission: 1400 yen
• Other options
3. Hakone Kamon (花紋)
• Private Outdoor Bath (貸切露天風呂)
• Hours: 45 mins
• Admission: 2500 yen per 45 mins (tax not included)
• Private options
4. Yunosato Okada ()
• Day Plan
• Hours: 6:00 to 9:00 and 11:00 to 23:00 (entry until 22:00)
• Admission: 1450 yen (1000 yen from 6:00 to 9:00)
• Other options
5. Kappa Tengoku (かっぱ天国)
• Outdoor Hot Spring
• Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
• Admission: 800 yen
• Other Options
6. Yumoto Fujiya Hotel (湯本富士屋ホテル)
• Day Plan (Main communal bath and outdoor bath)
• Hours: 12:00 to 20:00
• Admission: 1800 yen
7. Hotel Kowakien Yunessun (箱根小涌園ユネッサン)
• Yunessun (Swimsuit Area)
• Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (until 21:00 in August)
• Admission: 2900 yen
• Mori no Yu (Onsen Area; 森の湯)
• Hours: 11:00 to 20:00 (until 21:00 in August)
• Admission: 1900 yen 
8. Hakone Green Plaza Hotel (ホテルグリーンプラザ箱根)
• Day-Use 
• Hours:
• 13:00 ～18:00 / on Monday & Tuesday & Friday
• 15:00 ～18:00 / on Wednesday & Thursday
• 13:00 ～15:00 / on Saturday & Sunday & Holiday & top season (2017/05/03～2017/05/05, 2017/07/15～2017/08/25, 2017/12/28～2018/01/03)
• Admission: 1,600 yen

Hakone Green Plaza Hotel (ホテルグリーンプラザ箱根)

Both the men’s and women’s open-air baths offer a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. The view from the women’s open-air bath is especially stunning.  To access the hotel, you can take either Hakone Ropeway or Bus.

Hakone Green Plaza Hotel (ホテルグリーンプラザ箱根)

Best ONSEN with FUJI view in Japan (YouTube link)

 

Hakone Yuryo (箱根湯寮)

Hakone Yuryo is a tasteful public bath opened in spring 2013 on the former site of the Hakone Begonia Garden. The facility features gender segregated indoor and outdoor baths with nice views into the forest. There is also a large selection of private baths (additional fees apply) for families and couples that wish to bath together. A free shuttle bus operates every 10-15 minutes to/from Hakone Yumoto Station.

Hakone-One Day Trip to Private Onsen (YouTube link)

Tenzan (天山湯治郷)

Collection of nicely done hot spring pools, most of which are outdoors at the foot of a wooded slope. The bath house is a beautiful traditional Japanese style building. A short walk from Oku-Yumoto Iriguchi bus stop (bus line K).

 [温泉] 箱根 天山湯治郷 (YouTube link)

References

1. JR Train Time Table
2. Hakone Japan Travel Guide 
3. Travel from Tokyo to Hakone 
4. ENJOY THE SEASONS IN HAKONE BY USING HAKONE FREEPASS (video)
5. Hakone: Peak Colors (11/16/2016)
6. Hiking in Hakone
7. 箱根登山バス
• Odawara Sta. → Sengoku
8. Hiking Hakone`s Kintoki Mountain
9. Odawara Station 
10. Odakyu
• Odakyu Line Route Map
11. 旅館送迎有料バス（100円）運行時刻表
12. 箱根湯本温泉旅館送迎シャトルバス
13. 箱根湯寮
14. 天山湯治郷
15. HOTEL GREEN PLAZA HAKONE
• https://www.hotelgreenplazahakone.com/en-us
16. Japanese Dictionary and Translator
17. 10 Best Onsen Ryokan Hotels in Hakone
• Gyokutei
• Yoshimatsu
• Gora Hanaougi Madoka No Mori 
• Kitanokaze Saryo 
• Kinnotake Tonosawa 
• Fukuzumiro 
• Mizunoto 
• Shiunso 
• Gora Tensui 
• Hoeiso (雉子亭 豊栄荘; with Day Use) 
18. 10 Best Museums in Hakone to Appreciate Art, History, and Nature
19. 10 Best Things To Do In Hakone for an Extended Stay
20. 10 Best Onsen Ryokan and Resorts in Hakone to Relax

Hakone Travel—Visiting Choanji Temple (長安寺)

 Enjoy the seasons in Hakone (YouTube link)

Autumn Colors

Choanji Temple ⭐ (長安寺, Chōanji) is a temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in the Sengokuhara area of Hakone.  It is located in a quiet area at the base of a hill with multiple reasons for you to visit:

• A main hall building with history
• A small network of pleasant walking trails
• A famous spot with beautiful autumn leaves because plenty of maples planted
• The color-changing trees here normally reach their peak color around mid November
• Over two hundred statues of rakan (disciples of Buddha) scattered around the temple grounds

How to Access

Choanji Temple is located just a two minute walk from Sengoku (仙石) bus stop, which is served by Hakone Tozan Buses and Odakyu Buses. The one way ride from Hakone-Yumoto takes about 25 minutes and cost 750 yen, while from Togendai it takes 10-15 minutes and costs 440 yen. Buses depart several times per hour and are covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

Below pictures show the route from both Hakone-Yumoto and Togendai using Hakone Bus Route Search Site here:

Bus Ride from Hakone-Yumoto to Sengoku  (仙石) Bus Stop

Bus Ride from Togendai to Sengoku (仙石) Bus Stop

References

1. 長安寺ちょうあんじ
2. Choanji Temple
3. Hakone Freepass (offered by Odakyu)
4. How to purchase tickets
5. Hakone Tozan Bus
6. Hakone Travel (Total 17 articles on this blogger)

Hakone Travel—Mt. Kintoki Hiking Trail

Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a very popular destination among Tokyoites, as well as tourists, for its gorgeous scenery around the Mount Fuji (for instance, the Lake Ashinoko 芦ノ湖 and Owakudani 大涌谷), its many onsens and vacation resorts.

Mt. Fuji View from Mt. Kintoki

If you love outdoor nature, hiking in Hakone could be a good choice too. In this article, we will cover a hiking path to enjoy a splendid view of Mt. Fuji.

Mt Kintoki also known as Mt Ashigara (金時山)

Starting from Kintoki-jinja-ikiguchi and end at Kintoki-tozanguchi
Note that North points to the left, not up direction

Mt. Kintoki Hiking Trail

The starting point for this trail lies a few bus stops away from central Sengokuhara and is conveniently located behind the Kintoki Shrine.

Trail view taken on 12/19/2015 from this video

How to Access

If you plan your trip from Hakone-Yumoto Station, the bus stop you want to arrive at for the trail is named

Kintoki-jinja-iriguchi (金時神社入口)

After descending from the mountain following the above Mt. Kintoki Course, you will arrive at another bus stop named:

Kintoki-tozanguchi (金時登山口)

which you can departure with.

Below map shows you the arrival Kintoki-jinja-iriguchi bus stop and Kintoki-tozanguchi bus stop is two stops away from it (under 731; click the map to enlarge). You can use 箱根登山バス to plan your trip from Hakone-Yumoto Station. On its Route Search page, just enter:

From: Hakone-Yumoto Sta. 

To: Kintoki-jinja-iriguchi

References

1. JR Train Time Table
2. Hakone Japan Travel Guide 
3. Travel from Tokyo to Hakone 
4. ENJOY THE SEASONS IN HAKONE BY USING HAKONE FREEPASS (video)
5. Hakone: Peak Colors (11/16/2016)
6. Hiking in Hakone
7. 箱根登山バス
• Odawara Sta. → Sengoku
8. Hiking Hakone`s Kintoki Mountain
9. Odawara Station 
10. Odakyu
• Odakyu Line Route Map
11. 旅館送迎有料バス（100円）運行時刻表
12. 箱根湯本温泉旅館送迎シャトルバス
13. 箱根湯寮
14. 天山湯治郷
15. Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field
16. Hakone Hiking Trails (National Parks of Japan)

Byodoin Temple: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan

Uji Travel—Visiting Byodoin Temple (平等院; YouTube link)

Uji (宇治) is a charming town nestled between Nara and Kyoto, two of Japan's ancient capitals. It's known for its rich history, tea culture, and stunning autumn foliage. In December 2016, I made my first trip to Uji to see the autumn leaves and visit Byodoin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In May 2023, I returned with my daughter to share this special place with her.

 Byodoin Temple (平等院)

The image of Byodoin Temple ⭐⭐is the one shown at the reverse side of ¥10 coin. This is quite a testament to its importance in Japan's History. Somehow its eleventh-century Phoenix Hall (鳳凰堂 ), with its glorious statue of Amida Buddha, survived war, fire and years of neglect, and today preserves a stunning display of Heian-period art at its most majestic.^[1]

Initial visit on December 3, 2016

View from the Hosho-kan Museum (鳳翔館)

Visiting Uji River for Its Autumn Colors (YouTube link)

Second Visit on 05/10/2023

Reference

1. Japan Travel: Visiting Uji for Its History and Tea
2. Kyoto and Nara: Rough Guides Snapshot Japan
3. Visiting Arashiyama (嵐山) in Kyoto—Personal Experience
4. Visiting Ohara in Kyoto—Personal Experience
5. Visiting Nigatsudo Hall (二月堂) in Nara—Personal Experience
6. Visiting Yoshiki-en Garden (吉城園 / よしきえん) in Nara—Personal Experience
7. Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)—Personal Experience
8. Temple Lodging in Koyasan—Personal Experience
9. A Solo Trip Can Be A Disaster If You Forget These 7 Rules

Sengokuhara (仙石原すすき草原): A Stunning Fall Foliage Destination in Hakone

Hakone: A Popular Tourist Destination for Autumn Foliage

Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a popular tourist destination, especially among Tokyoites, for its stunning scenery, including Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, and Owakudani, as well as its many onsens and vacation resorts.

Hakone is also a great place for hiking, especially in the autumn when the leaves change color. In this article, we will introduce a walking path that showcases the autumn beauty of Hakone.

Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field (仙石原すすき草原)

Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field  ⭐ (仙石原すすき草原) is a must-see spot in Hakone during the autumn season.^[1]  Located at the foot of the northwest side of Mount Hakone, this large, rolling field of pampas grass(susuki) is a sight to behold. The tall grasses change color with the seasons, and in the autumn, they turn a shimmering, silvery gold.

A single, wide walking path leads into the field from the west base of the hillside, offering expansive views along the way. The path ends at a higher vantage point further up the slope, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the field and the surrounding mountains.

 Enjoy the seasons in Hakone by using Hakone Freepass (YouTube link)

How to Get to Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field

The Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field is located a few steps from the Sengoku Kogen (仙石高原)  bus stop, which is served by the Hakone Tozan Bus Line T and the Odakyu Bus. It can be reached from Hakone-Yumoto Station in about 30 minutes or from Togendai in about 5 minutes. Buses depart several times per hour and are covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

To plan your trip from Hakone-Yumoto Station, you can use the Hakone Tozan Bus website. On the Route Search page, simply enter:

From: Hakone-Yumoto Sta.
To: Senguku-Kogen

Photo Gallery

Photos taken on 11/20/2018, a sunny day.

References

1. Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field
2. JR Train Time Table
3. Hakone Japan Travel Guide 
4. Travel from Tokyo to Hakone 
5. ENJOY THE SEASONS IN HAKONE BY USING HAKONE FREEPASS (video)
6. Hakone: Peak Colors (11/16/2016)
7. Hiking in Hakone
8. 箱根登山バス
• Odawara Sta. → Sengoku
9. Hiking Hakone`s Kintoki Mountain
10. Odawara Station 
11. Odakyu
• Odakyu Line Route Map
12. 旅館送迎有料バス（100円）運行時刻表
13. 箱根湯本温泉旅館送迎シャトルバス
14. Hakone Museum of Art (map)
• The museum is located on the slopes of Gora, just above Gora Park. It is a three minute walk from Koenkami Station of the Hakone Tozan Cablecar between Gora and Sounzan, or a ten minute walk uphill from Gora Station.
15. Choanji Temple
16. Hakone Highland Hotel
17. Hakone Daimyo Parade (11/03 every year)
18. How to Access Hakone from Haneda Airport (HND)
19. Mt. Kintoki Course (good view of Mt Fuji from the summit)
20. Hakone Travel (Total: 16 articles on this site)
21. Izu Hakone Bus map (pdf in Japanese)
22. Izu Hakone Bus timetable (pdf in Japanese)
23. 伊豆箱根バス　経路・時刻・運賃案内 (in Japanese)