Hakone

Nestled on the edge of one of Japan’s most popular national parks, the small town of Hakone is renowned for its hot springs and stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The park is volcanically active, and in areas like Owakudani you can see sulphurous fumes rising from the ground. There are also 17 onsen hot springs deriving from the volcano, which feed the many thermal baths in the local inns. The volcanic water is said to make skin smoother, and the locals say that eating an egg boiled in this water will extend your life by seven years. The sulphur turns the eggs a mysterious black colour, and you can buy five eggs for around 500 yen – that’s 35 years of bonus living!

Onsen baths are an important part of Japanese culture, as traditionally, communities would bathe together. Baths are taken naked, in separate-gender pools, though historically they were mixed. There is a specific etiquette that must be observed when bathing, including thoroughly washing before entering, and not letting your hair touch the water.

Despite its small size, Hakone has an important place within Japanese history. During the Edo Period, Hakone was the last mountain range on the Tokaido trade route that ran from Kyoto to Tokyo. Travellers passing through Hakone would have to pass a checkpoint where they would present their travel permits and luggage for inspection. You can still walk some of the same trail today, and there is a recreation of the checkpoint open for tourists to visit.

Mount Fuji is visible from Hakone on clear days, and you can enjoy stunning views of its symmetrical peak from the placid waters of Lake Ashi. Other notable sights include the Hakone open-air museum, which has one of the largest Picasso collections in the world, as well as a number of impressive outdoor exhibits such as a stained-glass tower with a spiral staircase inside.