Hike a Historic Trail in Lush Hakone

Walk the route that linked Kyoto with Tokyo for centuries

Both nature lovers and history fans will not want to miss out on the hiking adventure of a lifetime offered by Hakone Japan. Follow the historic paths that cut through the heart of beautiful Hakone, including Hakone Hachiri, a designated Japan Heritage Site, located in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

The Old Tokaido Way was created in the Edo period (1603–1867), connecting Kyoto and Tokyo (then called Edo), and served as a crucial route. During your hike along the stone-paved roads of the Hakone Hachiri segment, you stop at culturally significant sites such as Hatajuku. Artisans there have been practicing their crafts since the early Edo period, including yosegi-zaiku. This is a traditional crafting method using differently colored wooden pieces to create boxes, picture frames, accessories, toys, and other items of astonishingly intricate geometric patterns.

Other highlights include stops at the Amazake Tea House, which was built centuries ago and is still operating today; the scenic Lake Ashinoko; Cedar Avenue, featuring cedar trees hundreds of years old; and the Sekisho (checkpoint). This last location historically served as a military fort and police station to keep feudal lords and their families in check.

The hiking route, starting at Hakone-Yumoto, covers a distance of about 7.5 kilometers, so a certain level of fitness is advised. English-speaking guides are available.

A hiking tour of the Yusaka is also available, the old Kamakura Trail course that has relatively few ups and downs, meaning that even people who do not feel confident about their physical strength can participate and appreciate nature while walking the Hakone of ancient times.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Odawara Station (about 30 minutes), then transfer to the Hakonetozan Line for the train to Hakone-Yumoto Station (about 14 minutes). 

Hakone Hachiri Visiting Japan Heritage (Hakone Japan)