Many people visit for the views of Mount Fuji and the relaxing hot springs. Hakone is the crown jewel of autumn. In 2026, you can beat the crowds with a ‘secret’ Michelin-starred detour. Most tourists overlook this hidden gem.
This guide provides the practical information necessary to elevate your trip beyond a typical sightseeing tour, focusing on unique seasonal highlights. We’ll show you the ideal timing for viewing Fuji, the best hot spring and foliage combinations to try, and the new attractions for 2026 that will enrich your autumn visit.
Good planning is the best way to beat the crowds in 2026.
Hakone Fall Foliage Forecast and Optimal Viewing Times (2026)
Due to Hakone’s varied elevation, you can enjoy the fall colors for nearly two months.
- Peak Season: Generally, the higher-altitude areas (Owakudani, Komagatake) begin changing in late October, while the lower areas (Lake Ashi, Hakone-Yumoto) peak from mid-to-late November into early December.
- Recommended Time: If you want to see the contrast between the vibrant foliage and a newly snow-capped Fuji, aiming for a clear day in mid-November is often the best choice.
Essential Gear: What to Pack for Hakone’s Mountain Climate
Hakone is located in a mountainous region, and temperatures can drop considerably, especially in autumn.
- Layering is Crucial: Even if the afternoon is mild, mornings and evenings—particularly around Lake Ashi or on the Ropeway—will be cold.
- Recommendation: Bring a jacket or light coat for early mornings and late evenings. Layer your clothes. Even if the afternoon is warm, mornings and evenings are cold.
Access & Transportation: Helpful Tips for Avoiding Congestion
During the peak autumn season, the roads in Hakone, especially near Lake Ashi and the Hakone-Yumoto area, experience significant traffic jams.
- Local Advice: Leave the car behind. Use trains, buses, and ships instead.
- Prioritize the Pirate Ship: The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (Pirate Ship) operates on a limited schedule, and missing a departure can seriously affect your itinerary. Check the timetable in advance and plan your day around the ship’s schedule.
2. The "Michelin Star" Secret: A Spiritual Detour to Oyama Afuri Shrine
If you have extra time in your itinerary, I highly recommend making a “spiritual detour” before you reach the heart of Hakone. It is hard to visit both Oyama and Hakone in one morning. Located just a short hop from Isehara Station, Oyama Afuri Shrine is a place where you can feel the ancient spirit of mountain worship within easy reach of Tokyo.
While it lacks the massive commercial scale of Hakone’s “Golden Course,” the base of the mountain is lined with charming traditional shops and inns welcoming visitors. It is quieter than Hakone and has beautiful red maple trees. From the shrine grounds, you can experience a solemn mountain atmosphere combined with a breathtaking, panoramic view that stretches all the way to the ocean.
Why it’s a Must-Visit in 2026
- The “View of the Gods”: Awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, the view from the shrine’s main terrace is truly exceptional. You can capture the autumn forest and the sparkling blue of Sagami Bay and Enoshima Island all in a single frame.
- An Accessible Adventure: There’s no need for a strenuous hike. A scenic cable car allows you to admire the autumn colors along the way, whisking you up near the shrine in just a few minutes.
An Authentic Pilgrimage Atmosphere: Distinct from the bustling commercial streets of central Hakone, Oyama retains the serene air of an ancient pilgrimage site. You’ll encounter clear mountain waterfalls and traditional “Koma” (spinning top) shops along the approach, adding a nostalgic touch to your journey.
How to Add it to Your Hakone Trip
Don’t just go to Hakone—enrich your journey by stopping here first:
- Morning: Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku and get off at Isehara Station. (Approx. 50–60 minutes from Shinjuku by Limited Express “Romancecar”)
- Access: From the north exit, take a bus for about 25 minutes to the “Oyama Cable” bus stop. From there, enjoy a 15-minute walk up the “Koma Sando” approach—a stone stairway lined with local shops and traditional inns—to reach the Oyama Cable Station. Then, board the scenic cable car for a short ride up the mountain.
- The Highlight: Visit Saryo Sekson (Tea House) inside the shrine grounds. Sip on a matcha latte or “Sacred Water” coffee while sitting on their open-air deck that feels as if you are floating above the clouds.
- Afternoon: Head back to Isehara Station and continue your journey to Hakone-Yumoto (approx. 40 minutes away).
3. Noteworthy Views: Combining Autumn Leaves with Mount Fuji
One of the best views in Hakone is the simultaneous sight of colorful fall foliage and Mount Fuji, often capped with snow. Proper timing is crucial for achieving this.
Best Timing: When to See Fuji (Morning is Highly Recommended!)
Tip: Visit in the morning (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) to see Mt. Fuji. In the afternoon, the sun is behind the mountain. This makes the white snow harder to see. If you arrive in the afternoon, plan to see Fuji the next morning.
Representative Spots and Hidden Photo Locations
While the foliage around Lake Ashi might not be the most intensely fiery red, the way it frames Mount Fuji creates a beautiful seasonal setting.
Hakone Komagatake Ropeway: Panorama of Foliage, Lake, and Fuji
Ascending the Komagatake Ropeway offers a sweeping panorama.
From the renewed summit station, “Ashino Sora,” you can look down upon the colorful mountain slopes and Lake Ashi, while the majestic Mount Fuji rises high in the background before your eyes.
The 2026 Hakone Ropeway Experience: Riding the New “ROPESTER” Open-Air Gondola
For the most immersive views between Togendai and Owakudani, make sure to try the new ROPESTER open-air gondolas (details in Section 5). Here, you can enjoy the view of the mountains painted in autumn colors, with Mount Fuji entering your field of vision.
Enshi Hakone Park: A Higher Vantage Point for Lake Ashi & Fuji
Offering a perspective slightly higher than the Pirate Ship, this park provides a clearer, elevated view of Fuji standing majestically behind Lake Ashi, making it a good spot for photography.
Lake Ashi Cruise: Combining with Distant Fuji
While the lake leaves are not bright red, the white peak of Fuji looks beautiful against the mountains.
4. Relax & Rejuvenate: Best Onsen Pairings with Autumn Views
After exploring the heights of the Ropeway or the serenity of Oyama, nothing beats an “Autumn-view Onsen” to soak away the mountain chill.
Kai Sengokuhara (Hoshino Resorts): Private Onsen with Autumn Colors
Located in the scenic Sengokuhara Plateau, this resort offers a pleasant autumn experience. Guests can enjoy the changing mountain colors from their guest room terraces and private open-air baths. The nearby Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field adds to the area’s autumn charm.
Kai Hakone (Hoshino Resorts): Seasonal Views from the Semi-Open Bath
At Kai Hakone, the semi-open-air baths face the Sukumo River and the forested slopes. You can see the autumn colors of the mountain across the river while listening to the sound of the flowing water.
Hotel Green Plaza Hakone: Enjoy Fuji and Fall Foliage from the Rotenburo
This popular hotel has a great open-air bath. You can see Mt. Fuji and the autumn leaves at the same time. It is a very popular experience.
5. Top Things to Do in Hakone Autumn: 2026 New Highlights
Hakone is constantly adding new attractions. Be sure to check out these recent updates, which offer unique ways to see the autumn landscape in 2026.
New and Unique Ride: The ROPESTER Open-Air Gondola (Starts Feb 2025)
The “ROPESTER,” introduced in February 2025, changes the way you ride the Hakone Ropeway.
- The Experience: There are no windows, so you can feel the fresh mountain air. This provides a clear, 360-degree view of the autumn colors below.
Hakone Komagatake “Ashino Sora”: Renewed Panoramic View Spot (Renewed Apr 2025)
The observation facilities at the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway summit station were renovated in April 2025.
The Experience: The new ‘Ashino Sora’ area offers 360-degree views. It is open and clear. You can see autumn colors spread from the mountains down to the lake and coast.
6. Hakone's Appealing Autumn Sites and Gardens
Among the many sightseeing spots in Hakone, these are my two personal favorite places to experience the seasonal beauty of autumn.
Choanji Temple (Sengokuhara): Stone Buddhas and Fallen Leaves
If you ask for my personal favorite, it has to be Choanji in the Sengokuhara area. The temple grounds feature numerous stone Buddha statues (Lohan) nestled among the trees. In late autumn, fallen leaves often rest on and around the statues, creating a quiet and evocative seasonal scene.
Hakone Museum of Art: Moss Garden and Autumn Colors
While famous for its well-maintained moss garden year-round, this museum is particularly beautiful in autumn. I love the striking contrast between the deep green of the moss and the vibrant reds and yellows of the maple trees that frame the garden.
7. Best Tokyo Stopover: Autumn Colors at Kuhonbutsu (Joshinji Temple)
While your Hakone journey typically ends at Shinjuku Station, those who wish to savor the autumn atmosphere a little longer might consider a small detour on their way home. If you head toward the Jiyugaoka area in Tokyo, you will find Kuhonbutsu (Joshinji Temple)—one of my personal favorite sanctuaries for a peaceful conclusion to a trip.
Located right within the city, this temple offers a vast and serene space that feels like an extension of the mountain’s tranquility. The spacious precinct is lush and vibrant green in the summer, and it transforms into a beautiful display of color in the autumn. It provides a quiet, peaceful environment far removed from the urban bustle, allowing you to reflect on your Hakone memories before fully returning to the rush of daily life.
8. Must-Try Local Cuisine & Seasonal Flavors
Your autumn experience in Hakone wouldn’t be complete without sampling the region’s unique local flavors, perfect for warming up after a day in the mountain air.
To see even more of Hakone’s food scene, check out the “Japan by Food” YouTube channel. Some snacks in the video are different from my list, so it is fun to watch!
Tofu and Yuba (Soy Milk Skin)
Thanks to Hakone’s clean mountain water, local tofu and yuba are highly regarded. These are traditional Japanese foods, prized for being both healthy and naturally protein-rich. Try ‘Yuba Don’ at local shops like Naokichi (Official Instagram). This rice bowl uses delicate soy milk skin. It is a healthy meal that uses Hakone’s pure mountain water.
Kamaboko (Fish Cake)
Another local staple is kamaboko, a traditional snack made from steamed or fried fish paste. It is a long-standing Japanese health food, known for being low in fat and high in protein. If you visit shops like “Kagoya Seijiro” near Hakone-Yumoto Station, you can buy freshly fried fish cakes to enjoy as you walk around the town—a convenient and tasty way to experience a local favorite.
Kuro Tamago (Black Egg)
A classic Hakone experience, these eggs are boiled in the sulfurous hot springs of Owakudani. Legend says eating one adds seven years to your life, and science agrees they pack more “umami” than your average boiled egg!
Hakone Butter Sandwich (Sun San D)
This may look Western, but the “Butter Sandwich” is a unique Japanese sweet. It started in Hokkaido but is now a local favorite in Hakone.
Amazake (Sweet Rice Drink)
A 100% Japanese traditional experience. This non-alcoholic, naturally sweet drink is a healthy “soul food” used as a source of energy for centuries.
Onsen Stew Bread (Watanabe Bakery)
I chose this because it is exclusive to this specific shop. It’s a creative local invention you won’t find anywhere else—a unique local treat you won’t want to miss!
9. Conclusion: Your Enriched Autumn in Hakone Awaits
From the heights of the new ROPESTER to the sacred silence of Oyama Afuri Shrine, your 2026 autumn journey will be more than a tour—it will be a discovery of Japan’s best-kept seasonal secrets.
Use this guide to ensure your visit to Hakone this year is filled with memorable seasonal experiences.
