Hakone Ropeway (Owakudani)

神奈川県

general.prefecture.

A dynamic tourist spot with white smoke drifting.

The ropeway provides a panoramic view of Owakudani, which connects Hakone's Soun Station to its Gora Station, over a distance of about 4 km. After enjoying a stroll in the sky with a view of Mt. Fuji, you can visit Owakudani and enjoy the sight of volcanic fumes.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic

Highlights

Point 1

Enjoy the View from the Ropeway

One of the best ways to enjoy the Hakone Ropeway is to take in the magnificent view from the cable car. From 130 meters above ground, you can enjoy various tourist attractions such as the rugged rock faces of the valley and Mt. Fuji, one of Japan's most famous mountains. In addition, the sunset reflecting off Lake Ashi during the twilight hours is also a breathtaking sight. Depending on the season you visit, the scenery you can see will change, making it a spot you'll want to visit again and again.

Point 2

Stroll along the Owakudani Nature Study Trail

The Owakudani Nature Study Trail is a 700-meter long walking trail that allows you to walk through a fumarolic zone created by volcanic activity. You can feel the breath of the earth on your skin, such as the scenery of large rocks rolling around and the smell of sulfur that permeates the air, unique to volcanic areas. There are also observation decks along the trail, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Owakudani area. The trail is well-maintained, making it easy for families with small children and elderly people to enjoy.

Point 3

Enjoy Gourmet Food and Footbaths

There are many attractions besides the scenery at the Hakone Ropeway. At Owakudani's "Waku Waku Kitchen & Cafe," you can enjoy original menu items such as black curry bread and black pork hot dogs. At the Cu-mo Hakone located at the Sounzan Station, you can enjoy footbaths while taking in the view at an altitude of about 757 meters. This facility also offers gourmet food that is perfect for social media, such as smoothies named "New Bell" and "Kumo Pan" (cloud bread).

Point 4

Try the Famous Black Eggs

If you visit Owakudani using the Hakone Ropeway, you absolutely must try the Owakudani specialty, "black eggs". It's a popular gourmet food that's said to extend your lifespan by 7 years if you eat one. It's made using the hot springs of Owakudani and takes an hour to cook. You can buy them at the "Kurotama Shop" in Owakudani. Additionally, there's a large black egg sculpture on display at the shop, making it a popular photo spot.

Point 5

Visit Hakone Motomiya Shrine

Hakone Motomiya Shrine, which was rebuilt at the summit of Mt. Komagatake in 1964, has become a popular power spot crowded with worshippers throughout the year. It is located about a 10-minute walk from the top station of the Komagatake Ropeway. It is the inner shrine of the Hakone Shrine and is said to bring good luck in work and love. The vermilion main shrine is colorful and beautiful, making it a recommended spot for commemorative photos during your trip.

Access

Using Sounzan Station from Kanto is Recommended

There are four stations on the Hakone Ropeway, so you can board from each station. The stations that are used by many people are "Momijidani Station" located on the Ashinoko side and "Sounzan Station" located on the Gora side. It is a 5-minute walk from the "Hakone Pirate Ship Momijidani Port" that goes around Lake Ashi to get to Momijidani Station, and it takes about 11 minutes to get to Sounzan Station using the Hakone Tozan Cable Car from Gora Station. If you are accessing from the Kanto area using JR or other means, it is recommended to use "Sounzan Station".

Parking

Numerous Paid and Free Parking Lots Available

There are numerous parking lots available around the Hakone Ropeway, making it very convenient to access by car. For those around the Gora Station area, the "Kojiri Rinkan Parking Lot" can accommodate up to 200 cars, and for those around the Sounzan Station area, the "Sounzan Station Parking Lot" can accommodate up to 105 cars and is recommended. The Kojiri Rinkan Parking Lot costs 700 yen per use, while the Sounzan Station Parking Lot is free, but the pricing may vary depending on the location, so please check the official website for details.