Hakone Town is located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and is part of the Ashigarashimo District. It is a small mountain town nestled within the inner rim of a collapsed volcanic crater at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. Surrounded by mountains, the town boasts beautiful natural scenery, with most residents living along National Route 138 and the Odakyu Hakone Railway Line.
Historically, Hakone came under the rule of the Late Hōjō clan during the latter part of the Muromachi period and later became part of the Odawara Domain in the Edo period. The famous “Seven Hot Springs of Hakone” (Hakone Nanatō) have been renowned since the Edo era, and from the Meiji to Taisho periods, the area gradually gained fame as an international summer resort and health retreat. After World War II, with improvements in transportation and tourism infrastructure, Hakone quickly became a nationally renowned international tourist destination.
In terms of transportation, Hakone Town features a convenient and diverse transportation network. National Route 1 and its bypass, the Hakone Shindō, run through the eastern part of the town and intersect with National Route 138 near Miyanoshita in the northwest. Additionally, the transportation system operated by the Odakyu Hakone Group extends deep into the town, including the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable car, and Hakone Ropeway. Gōra Station is the terminal of the Tozan Railway and also the starting point of the cable car line, while Sōunzan Station connects the cable car and ropeway, serving as the transfer hub. Along the Tozan Railway, there are also stations such as Hakone-Yumoto, Tonosawa, Ōhiradai, Miyanoshita, Kowakidani, and Chōkoku-no-Mori. The cable car line includes four stations, such as Kōen-shita and Naka-Gōra, while the Hakone Ropeway passes through Ōwakudani, Ubako, and Tōgendai stations, making it easy for visitors to access various attractions.
Culturally, Hakone has drawn attention for its close connection with the Japanese anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. The fictional city “Tokyo-3” featured in the series was modeled in part on locations in Hakone, turning the town into a pilgrimage site for anime fans. Additionally, the annual “Hakone Ekiden” long-distance relay race held every January finishes its outbound leg at Lake Ashi in the town, making it one of Japan’s major winter sporting events.
