Gora Park
強羅公園
Opened in 1914, this is Japan's oldest French-style formal garden. Centered on a symmetrically arranged fountain plaza, it features a rose garden, tea house, tropical botanical garden, and rock garden, with cherry blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas, roses, and other flowers to enjoy through the seasons. The grounds also house the Hakone Craft House, where visitors can try pottery, glassblowing, and dragonfly-bead making, making this a popular spot for combining a garden stroll with hands-on art experiences.
Japan's oldest French-style formal garden
Opened in 1914, this was Japan's first French-style formal garden. Centered on a symmetrically designed fountain plaza, geometric flower beds spread out, with cherry blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas, and roses blooming in vivid colors through the seasons.
A rose garden, tea house, and tropical botanical garden
Highlights scattered throughout the grounds include a rose garden planted with about 1,000 rose bushes, the tea house "Hakuundo," where visitors can enjoy matcha served in the proper style, and a tropical botanical garden lined with subtropical plants and hibiscus.
Hands-on experiences at the Hakone Craft House
The on-site "Hakone Craft House" offers hands-on experiences in pottery, glassblowing, and dragonfly-bead making (blaubrand), making it popular with families combined with a stroll through the garden.
Seasonal Highlights
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Cherry blossoms and azaleas reach full bloom, coloring the grounds vividly.
🌿 Summer (Jun-Aug)
Hydrangeas bloom in abundance, a popular season for an early-summer stroll.
🍁 Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Along with the roses' autumn bloom, visitors can also enjoy the autumn foliage.
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Even in winter, flowers can be admired in the greenhouse of the tropical botanical garden.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 1-1.5 hours including a stroll
- Crowd levels
- Especially crowded on spring and autumn weekends when the roses are at their best
- Best time to visit
- Weekday mornings offer a relaxed stroll
| Address | 1300 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa |
|---|---|
| Hours | March-November 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), December-February 9:30-16:30 |
| Admission | Adults ¥650, elementary school age and under free |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 10 min walk from Gora Station (Hakone Tozan Railway, 10-minute walk)
- 2 min walk from Koen-Shimo Station (About 2 minutes by Hakone Tozan Cable Car from Gora Station, then a 2-minute walk)