Kanto · Hakone, Kanagawa

♨ Hakone Yumoto

The gateway to Hakone's hot springs, an easy day trip from Tokyo.

Day trip from Tokyo

Quick facts

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa (Kanto region)
Water type: Simple spring
Tattoos: Check ahead with each bath
Directions: Open in Google Maps

About Hakone Yumoto

The closest of Hakone's hot-spring areas to Tokyo, and the gateway to the rest of Hakone, with many ryokan and day-use baths. From Shinjuku, the all-reserved Odakyu Romancecar runs direct to Hakone-Yumoto in roughly 80–90 minutes (a limited-express ticket is needed on top of the base fare). From there, the Hakone Tozan Railway and buses go deeper into the mountains.

The water

Mostly alkaline simple springs, with some sodium chloride sources. The water is clear, almost odourless and soft on the skin. It's traditionally said to soothe nerve pain and tired muscles.

History

Legend says a monk named Jojobo prayed here in 738 to end an epidemic, and a rock split open and hot water gushed out. That makes Yumoto the oldest of Hakone's hot springs. Samurai records mention bathing here for health, and in the Edo era it was one of the 'Seven Hot Springs of Hakone' loved by people from Edo (Tokyo).

Getting there

From: Tokyo (Shinjuku)
Route: Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto
Time: about 80–90 min
JR Pass: Not covered (Odakyu is private); JR Pass holders can take the shinkansen to Odawara and change.
Other passes: Hakone Freepass covers Odakyu trains and most Hakone transport.

Check current timetables and fares before you travel.

Famous for (meibutsu)

Yosegi-zaiku (craft): geometric wood marquetry boxes, a Hakone traditional craft
Kuro-tamago (food): Owakudani eggs boiled black in volcanic water
Odawara kamaboko (food): fish cake from neighbouring Odawara

Plan your trip: tours & day trips near Hakone

Find Hakone tours on GetYourGuide

Affiliate note: some links on these pages are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, NorthWest Wa may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I'd suggest to a friend.

See it on the onsen map All 50 onsen Onsen how-to

← Ito Onsen · Kusatsu Onsen (Yubatake) →