Hakone-Yumoto Onsen Town
箱根湯本温泉街
The hot-spring town spreading around Hakone-Yumoto Station, the terminus of the Hakone Tozan Railway and Odakyu Romancecar, and the gateway to Hakone sightseeing. Along the gorge where the Hayakawa and Sukumogawa rivers meet, venerable inns, day-trip hot-spring facilities, souvenir shops, and street-food stalls line the streets, part of a tradition dating to the Edo period as one of the Seven Hot Springs of Hakone. The shopping street in front of the station offers Hakone souvenirs such as hot-spring manju buns, kamaboko fish cake, and local sake, while highlights including the vermilion-lacquered "Ajisai Bridge" over the Hayakawa River and Soun-ji, an old temple associated with Hojo Soun, dot the area, making it an area enjoyable simply for strolling. With access of about 85 minutes from Shinjuku via the Romancecar, it's also popular as a base for day trips.
The gateway boasting Hakone's best access and bustle
This hot-spring town centers on Hakone-Yumoto Station, served by both the Hakone Tozan Railway and the Odakyu Romancecar, and thanks to its excellent access — about 85 minutes from Shinjuku with no transfer — it bustles with many travelers as a base for Hakone sightseeing. The shopping street extending from the station is lined with souvenir shops selling hot-spring manju, the local specialty kamaboko, and local sake, along with street-food stalls, making it enjoyable simply for strolling.
An abundant, storied hot spring nurtured by the Hayakawa and Sukumogawa rivers
This historic hot-spring area, counted among the Seven Hot Springs of Hakone, has venerable inns and day-trip hot-spring facilities lining the gorge where the Hayakawa and Sukumogawa rivers meet. Day-trip bathing facilities that can be visited casually without an overnight stay, as well as free foot baths, are scattered throughout, letting visitors savor a hot-spring atmosphere between strolls.
Highlights scattered throughout, including Soun-ji Temple and Ajisai Bridge
Historic highlights dot the hot-spring town, including Soun-ji, an old temple built to console the soul of the warlord Hojo Soun, and the striking "Ajisai Bridge," with its vermilion-lacquered railings, spanning the Hayakawa River. Soun Park in the hills behind offers a view over the entire hot-spring town.
Seasonal Highlights
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed at spots like Soun Park, and the spring travel season brings crowds of visitors.
🌿 Summer (Jun-Aug)
Hydrangeas reach their best around Ajisai Bridge in early summer.
🍁 Autumn (Sep-Nov)
The trees along the Hayakawa River change color, making a stroll through the hot-spring town all the more enjoyable.
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
The air turns crisp, and visitors can enjoy the atmospheric scene of steam rising over the hot-spring town.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 1-2 hours including a stroll and street food
- Crowd levels
- The shopping street in front of the station is especially crowded on weekends, holidays, and during the autumn-leaf season
- Best time to visit
- A weekday morning stroll offers a relaxed pace
| Address | Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open access for strolling (business hours vary by shop and facility) |
| Admission | Free (bathing facilities and shops charge separately) |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 1 min walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station (Hakone Tozan Railway / Odakyu Romancecar)